Legal Question in Health Care Law in Florida

I have ben estranged from my older sister for over 30 years she is 67 years old. I recieved a call last night from her ex- husband whom she has been living with, that my sister is dying. Since she has been on medicaid and other assistance from the state all her life, has no life insurance and no money. Legally, if I go down to Florida to see her per her request when she passes away witch will be very soon, am I going to be responsible for all funeral expenses and any other outstanding debts? My other siblings refuse to go and see her and made it verry plain they want nothing to do with her. I live in Michigan and I believe she has been living in Florida for three to four years. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated in regards to her funeral expenses and any other debts she has incurred


Asked on 10/21/09, 1:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
William Gwaltney William W. Gwaltney, Attorneys at Law

Unless you are a co-debtor on our sister's accounts then it is highly unlikely that you would be personally "responsible" for her debts. Same thing with the funeral expenses. If your sister truly has no assets or life insurance or pre-paid funeral plan and no one else offers to pay the expenses then she will likely end up in a "pauper's" grave and tax payers will foot the bill.

If you speak to her or go see her, you should ask her about any end of life plans, wills, assets, insurance, safe deposit boxes, etc. or if she has someone she has designated to take care of these things.

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Answered on 10/21/09, 10:56 pm


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