mother's bills

What is the name of your state? Illinois

Two years ago I had to commit my mother to a nursing home facility for Alzheimer's disease. I was with my older sister and her grown daughter when I signed the forms to admit her. We were all very emotionally distraught. We were told we had to act fast to get her a bed in this specific nursing home because someone else was on the waiting list and we wanted this home because of the location and care. At the time I was on the anti depressant Zoloft. The reason why I tell you this is because after my mother past away in Feb 2002, I was sent a letter from the home claiming that I owed two month's of my mother's Rent. My mother was on Medicaid and we were responsible for her bills. She was never my dependent. Anyway, neither my sister, her daughter or myself remember signing any paper's stating we would take over this pay? If we did sign something is it possible to fight this claiming that I was signing under duress?
Daisey15

[Ladynred]

No, but you might be able fight it by getting copies of the papers you signed and finding out if you DID accept any personal responsibility for her nursing home care. If none of you did so, then they cannot make you pay it. Debts for the deceased come out of the estate, usually at probate. There's also, usually, a time limit for creditors to put their hands out for a piece of the estate for the debts. If they miss that window.. and a year + is probably OUTSIDE that window, then they're S.O.L.

I'd send a letter to the nursing home and ask for copies of the papers. Send it certified, RRR, you need the paper trail. If they want you to pay, they're going to have to prove that you have liability for the debt.