Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

My father in-law passed away in Dec. 09 after two weeks in the hospital. Ten of those days were spent in intensive care. Now the hospital and doctor bills are coming in. He had medi-care and they have paid but my mother in-law is receiving these bills now. The bills are addressed to my father in-law. Is my mother in-law liable for these bills? She is seventy-eight years old and receives only survivors social security benefit of about $1000 a month. She can't really afford to pay these bills. We can't pay them for her as we already supplement her living expenses as it is. Can they put a lein on her home which she owns outright?

Thank you,

Paul


Asked on 5/21/10, 8:20 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jonathan Reich De Castro, West, Chodorow, Glickfeld & Nass, Inc.

Paul - You should consult with someone who is experienced in medi-care issues as your father-in-law's estate may have some liability with regard to those bills. They can't, however, just put a lien on her home because they sent a bill. Good luck.

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Answered on 5/25/10, 10:42 am


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