INDIANA
Complicated situation. I realize a full solution won’t be found here, but looking for guidance on best place to start to handle what is to come.
(Posting in bankruptcy because I see that as one option. Open to other suggestions.)
Son in law’s dad (age 59) admitted to ER on June 1, 2018. Initially diagnosed as having had three small strokes and pneumonia. Pneumonia diagnosis changed to Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, for which he is now receiving chemotherapy. (He’s four treatments in to a six treatment regimen, over a 4.5 month period.) Beginning stages of dementia. Also has recurrent/resistant Clostridium difficile (c. diff). Has been HIV-positive for 20+ years.
After about 15 days in the hospital, dad was transferred from regular hospital to rehabilitation hospital where he remains today. In isolation since admittance due to c. diff.
Son in law is 27 years old - only child - parents divorced/separated in 1999. Dad raised him. I am involved because son in law is in the Army - active duty NCO - and he and my daughter live five hours away. I have been tasked with collecting mail, taking inventory of the financial situation, participating in weekly “care status” calls when son in law is unavailable, communicating with hospital director when there are care issues. I also visit dad weekly, take him provisions (soda, tea, snacks) and recently arranged for a dorm-sized refrigerator to be delivered (had to get permission from executive director because it’s normally not allowed) so I can also take home-cooked food for reheating because dad complains a lot about the food.
Prior to June 1, dad was experiencing various health problems. When his health started failing, son was in Afghanistan; wasn’t aware of severity of health/financial issues. Dad was terminated from job sometime around 11/2017.
Dad did not have insurance upon his arrival at the hospital, but the social worker was alerted and Dad was enrolled in Medicaid which is paying for medical expenses.
Son in law has signed POA. Dad owns home with approximately $35,000 equity. (Perhaps a bit more depending on payoff amount.) Dad has borrowed around $5,000 from son in law. Utilities are all overdue. Car insurance has lapsed. Life insurance premium is due.
Dad owes about $50,000 in unsecured credit card debt - (at least) seven different accounts. There is also a car loan but unsure of amount - probably hefty. All accounts are accruing interest/penalties due to no payments being made. Tax warrant from state has been issued for $750.
Dad cashed in 401(k) months ago to survive and has no savings.
Appraisal done on house a couple of weeks ago. Houses in our market are selling quickly and at top dollar. Due to condition of house (sinking foundation in one area and need for a new roof), appraisal amount was based on contractor purchase. Son in law is having difficulty finding out payoff amount on mortgage because it has been “transferred to an attorney for either collection or to begin foreclosure.”
Plan is to sell dad’s house and move dad to son in law’s home. Dad is on board with the plan.
(The issue of moving dad is complicated by the fact that dad has Medicaid in our state. Don’t know if he will qualify in son in law’s state of residence. Son in law can add dad as dependent, but for health insurance purposes, military will consider dad a secondary dependent and insurance benefits are extremely limited.)
Dad started application for SSDI prior to hospitalization. Denied benefits. At son in law's request, I spoke with SSDI attorney; he said to appeal the denial and wait for next decision. Followed his instructions and notified Social Security of his current situation but have heard nothing back yet.
According to radiologist, chemotherapy has been effective. As of last scan, 90% of tumors are gone and lymph glands are now of normal size. However, as long as dad remains c. diff positive, he will not be going anywhere. He is also receiving physical and occuptional therapy to help rebuild strength.
Where to start? Should credit card companies be notified of dad’s situation? Utility companies? Upon sale of house, there will be money to pay off some debts, but not all. How do you choose which debts to pay off first? Will sale of house effect his status with Medicaid? Since mortgage company has transferred his account to an attorney, should he consider bankruptcy (soon) before trying to sell house?
To what kind of attorney would you recommend speaking? Realize this is not a DIY project but son in law is only available on weekends, which makes it difficult to meet with a local attorney.
Thank you for any guidance. Son in law is aware I am asking for guidance here.
Complicated situation. I realize a full solution won’t be found here, but looking for guidance on best place to start to handle what is to come.
(Posting in bankruptcy because I see that as one option. Open to other suggestions.)
Son in law’s dad (age 59) admitted to ER on June 1, 2018. Initially diagnosed as having had three small strokes and pneumonia. Pneumonia diagnosis changed to Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, for which he is now receiving chemotherapy. (He’s four treatments in to a six treatment regimen, over a 4.5 month period.) Beginning stages of dementia. Also has recurrent/resistant Clostridium difficile (c. diff). Has been HIV-positive for 20+ years.
After about 15 days in the hospital, dad was transferred from regular hospital to rehabilitation hospital where he remains today. In isolation since admittance due to c. diff.
Son in law is 27 years old - only child - parents divorced/separated in 1999. Dad raised him. I am involved because son in law is in the Army - active duty NCO - and he and my daughter live five hours away. I have been tasked with collecting mail, taking inventory of the financial situation, participating in weekly “care status” calls when son in law is unavailable, communicating with hospital director when there are care issues. I also visit dad weekly, take him provisions (soda, tea, snacks) and recently arranged for a dorm-sized refrigerator to be delivered (had to get permission from executive director because it’s normally not allowed) so I can also take home-cooked food for reheating because dad complains a lot about the food.
Prior to June 1, dad was experiencing various health problems. When his health started failing, son was in Afghanistan; wasn’t aware of severity of health/financial issues. Dad was terminated from job sometime around 11/2017.
Dad did not have insurance upon his arrival at the hospital, but the social worker was alerted and Dad was enrolled in Medicaid which is paying for medical expenses.
Son in law has signed POA. Dad owns home with approximately $35,000 equity. (Perhaps a bit more depending on payoff amount.) Dad has borrowed around $5,000 from son in law. Utilities are all overdue. Car insurance has lapsed. Life insurance premium is due.
Dad owes about $50,000 in unsecured credit card debt - (at least) seven different accounts. There is also a car loan but unsure of amount - probably hefty. All accounts are accruing interest/penalties due to no payments being made. Tax warrant from state has been issued for $750.
Dad cashed in 401(k) months ago to survive and has no savings.
Appraisal done on house a couple of weeks ago. Houses in our market are selling quickly and at top dollar. Due to condition of house (sinking foundation in one area and need for a new roof), appraisal amount was based on contractor purchase. Son in law is having difficulty finding out payoff amount on mortgage because it has been “transferred to an attorney for either collection or to begin foreclosure.”
Plan is to sell dad’s house and move dad to son in law’s home. Dad is on board with the plan.
(The issue of moving dad is complicated by the fact that dad has Medicaid in our state. Don’t know if he will qualify in son in law’s state of residence. Son in law can add dad as dependent, but for health insurance purposes, military will consider dad a secondary dependent and insurance benefits are extremely limited.)
Dad started application for SSDI prior to hospitalization. Denied benefits. At son in law's request, I spoke with SSDI attorney; he said to appeal the denial and wait for next decision. Followed his instructions and notified Social Security of his current situation but have heard nothing back yet.
According to radiologist, chemotherapy has been effective. As of last scan, 90% of tumors are gone and lymph glands are now of normal size. However, as long as dad remains c. diff positive, he will not be going anywhere. He is also receiving physical and occuptional therapy to help rebuild strength.
Where to start? Should credit card companies be notified of dad’s situation? Utility companies? Upon sale of house, there will be money to pay off some debts, but not all. How do you choose which debts to pay off first? Will sale of house effect his status with Medicaid? Since mortgage company has transferred his account to an attorney, should he consider bankruptcy (soon) before trying to sell house?
To what kind of attorney would you recommend speaking? Realize this is not a DIY project but son in law is only available on weekends, which makes it difficult to meet with a local attorney.
Thank you for any guidance. Son in law is aware I am asking for guidance here.
