Does an adult child have a legal obligation to care for a parent?

Question

Is it legal for an adult child to simply visit the parent and chat when the parent is obviously in need of care and cannot function alone?

By the way - we ARE taking care of grandma - it's her child that's not.. We just want to know if the adult child is culpable (legally responsible) in any way so we can get some help.

problem is we're in different states - we had to move grandma across the country to keep her alive and she's doing well. Her child never actually accepted responsibility for her care - only visited to chat and take whatever antiques struck her fancy. All the laws seem to apply to people who neglect care AFTER they've assumed it. But what if they've never formally assumed it?

We're in the US...

Answer 1

Adults are only responsible for taking care of their children. It's not the other way around. Why do you think so many people are in the old folks home?

Answer 2

An adult child does not have a legal obligation to care for a parent. However, he or she certainly has a moral obligation to do so. It has always amazed me how two (and sometimes only one) parent can raise several children but then when they are elderly or disabled, those kids can't provide supportive care for the parents. The grandmother you're talking about probably is better off without the help of an adult child who does not wish to help. It's admirable that you have stepped in to help and you will be glad you did even though there's someone else who should be helping. You can always talk to Adult Protective Services if absolutely necessary but I'd advise you to think before you do this because their answer is usually a nursing facility. Is there any way you can find two or three other people who would be willing to help too so that no one person would have to do it all? I commend you for seeing a need and trying to do something about it.

Answer 3

It depends, is this adult child recieving benefits for the dependant? If so she/he is required by law to care for the dependant, most of the time a nurse is assigned and if the family choses they can have a relative or someone they trust to care for their parent, and in return that person gets certain benefits. Whether it be money or whatever the family choses to give, if the elder person is on a medicare plan, they are probably covered by the state, in which case the state pays a check to the person responsible for the well being of that elder. Now do you know if any of these apply? Because, a child should take care of their parent, but are not required by law to do so, that is why we have convelescents and nursing homes for the elders, when a child decides not care for their parent the state provides organizations that do. I am really not sure, what to tell you except get the facts, and find out what the laws and regulations are in the state where your grandmother resides, find out what are the benefits and options available to elders, and how a person can be held responsible.

Answer 4

No, an adult child, or any child for that matter, is nor legally obligated to care for a parent. It is the moral thing to do considering that the parent has raised you. As long as you don't cause harm to the parent or knowingly leave the parent in a situation where they may die, you can't be held legally responsible.

Answer 5

honey legally no , but morally yes and we should all want to care for our grandparents and parents if need be and all family members should help and not just leave it on the one person that really cares. i feel the whole family should take part in caring for the older family members and children should want to help in taking care of there parents. so yes you are doing the right thing. but legally there is nothing to make them take care of there parents. it's a shame

Answer 6

Nope. Not one bit legaly bound to. I praise you for taking care of her though. There are a lot of people who would just stick an ill family member in a nursing home when they are fully capable taking care of them. You are a good person for allowing her to spend the remaining time of her life in a caring home.

Answer 7

not legally responsible, no, unless the courts say so. But.....I feel that in some fashion, children are morally bound to help their parents when they need help. After all, their parents raised and provided for them for how long?

Answer 8

No, the child has no legal obligation to the parent. Many adults wipe their hands of their parent, sad to say, and it is their right to do so.

Answer 9

It sounds like an awful situation, and the lazy child should be ashamed of himself, but I'm sorry, there is no legal obligation on his part.

Answer 10

IT WOULD BE NICE IF ALL KIDS TOOK CARE OF THEIR PARENTS BUT AS YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT THE CASE. SORRY. GLAD YOUR THERE FOR HER AND SHE'S DOING WELL. HER CHILD WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS LATER WHEN IT'S THEIR TURN AND THEY STILL MIGHT NOT EVER LEARN FROM IT. CHECK WITH THE LAWYER, BUT DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE THEM DO ANYTHING. SOUNDS LIKE YOUR DOING BETTER ANYWAY.