Am I liable for mother's doctor bills?

[valyn]

My mother is in a nursing home in Texas. She has brain cancer. I live in Nevada and have general power of attorney and medical power of attorney. My two half brothers (I'm youngest) live in Texas. Mom's ex-husband is very much involved in her day-to-day life and has provided some support over the past years.

At this point everyone has left me holding the bag. I've applied for assistance (for her) through the State of Texas Department of Human Resources. SLOW process. I was advised by Nevada Medicare NOT to change contact addresses to Nevada as it might "muddy the issue" with Mom's Social Security check.

There is no insurance other than Medicare. No income other than $518 social security. Nursing home takes $473 of that per month (and is pending the remainder after assistance kicks in). Her medication is running $50-$200 a month. There are old (at least one year) hospital bills that Medicare didn't pay.

There is no estate. No property. She already gave what little jewelery there was to my adult daughter. I'm left with no help and no money to pay bills. Can I be held liable? My husband and I just bought a house. He has two children by previous relationship that he pays child support for. There's nothing extra in our budget. What should I do?

 

[loku]

Mother's hospital bills

If you did not personally guarantee the payments for your mother, then you are not personally liable on her debts, so you have nothing to fear.

 

[advisor10]

MAY 22, 2001

You will NOT be responsible for your mother's bills. Any creditors who contact you should be told that your mother's estate is bankrupt.

SINCERELY,

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