Mother going to assisted living

[Dudley Young]

What is the name of your state?Colorado
My wife got a letter from the Senior living facility where her mother lives with a request for her to furnish her credit card # so they can move her mother to the assisted living section. Her mothers income isn't enough to cover the cost of assisted living, so they want the children to pay the difference. My question is, Is she legally responsible for this kind of debt?

 

[stealth2]

Probably not (your wife should look at the contract with the facility), but the facility is also not responsible for covering the differential between what Mom's income, pension, Medicaid covers and the actual expense. Who do y'all think should pay for the difference?

 

[Dudley Young]

Assisted living

Thank You. The rest of the story is that she has 7 brothers and sisters, and one of the sisters moved Mom to Co. at the rest of the children's displeasure. That sister has control of all Mom's financial matters and is the sole beneficiary of Mom's life insurance policy. I would think that that sister would be considered mom's legal caretaker. Don't get me wrong, we don't want to throw her in a dumpster. Thanks.

 

[BlondiePB]

Dudley,
If your wife gives the assisted living facility her credit card number, expect about $12,000.00 per year (a good minimum figure) that your wife will be responsible to pay. Mom's POA is the one who is the legal caretaker and is responsible for paying for mom's care via mom's money and assests - even if it means selling mom's home, redeeming stocks, mutual funds, etc. or applying for all types of assistance (Medicaid, etc.).

As steath2 replied, the difference between mom's income and any aid must be paid by someone. The most equitable solution is dividing the difference among all the siblings.

 

[stealth2]

The most equitable solution is dividing the difference among all the siblings.

...Agreed...

 

[Dudley Young]

Thank you all for your help.