Legal Responsibility for Family Member?

[cokids]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
My husband and I have provided housing for a sister (in-law for me) for 5 years. She is becoming elderly and could have health problems at any point. We are concerned that because she lives in our household, we could be held responsible for her support should she become disabled. Is this a legitimate fear?

She is retired and on social security. She pays NO rent of any kind though she does contribute to the cost of satellite TV. We live in Maine, USA.

Beth

[Ohiogal]

What type of support? You cannot be responsible for her medical bills unless you sign for them. She is a resident however and would need to be evicted.

[cokids]

Originally Posted by Ohiogal

What type of support? You cannot be responsible for her medical bills unless you sign for them. She is a resident however and would need to be evicted.

As a resident, could we be held responsible for nursing care, medical bills, any other kinds of support? She has a son living in Massachusetts. Are our responsibilities greater than/equal to his?

What is the process to 'evict' someone? What a terrible thing to have to do! She is on a VERY small retirement from her work as a grocery bagger for years from which we benefit in only one small way...she DOES help to pay for the satellite TV connection. (We pay half; she pays half.)

[Ohiogal]

Originally Posted by cokids

As a resident, could we be held responsible for nursing care, medical bills, any other kinds of support? She has a son living in Massachusetts. Are our responsibilities greater than/equal to his?

What is the process to 'evict' someone? What a terrible thing to have to do! She is on a VERY small retirement from her work as a grocery bagger for years from which we benefit in only one small way...she DOES help to pay for the satellite TV connection. (We pay half; she pays half.)

You are not responsible for her bills at all. She would be responsible for nursing care, med bills. You would not be able to DENY her having a nurse come in if that is what she needs. But you would not be on the hook to pay for it. She is still a resident. Now why would you want to evict her?