Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Washington

Re: Do I have to pay my parents medical expense

Your situation is one where you can generally protect your own assets.

You must separate the property under your control into two parts. One part is your mother's and one part is your own. When you deal with your mother's property under the power of attorney, you must always sign in her name such as:

"Ruth Johnson by John Johnson, attorney in fact."

You should be very sure that your power of attorney is valid.

You must never sign your own name to any document involving her and must always read the documents you sign to make sure there is nothing that indicates that you personally are taking responsibility for any obligation of your mother.

Unles you sign a document taking personal responsibility for your mother's medical expenses, you cannot be personally liable for those expenses.

You have to be careful about transferring any of your mother's property to keep it from the state because there are very strict limits on how that can be done.

These are general guidelines. Each situation is unique and it is helpful to have advice for the particular situation you are in.

If you would like further information, contact me at 253-272-2400.