Am I responsible for my mother's bills if she can not pay them?

1 answer | Last updated: Apr 16, 2012
rkb12584 asked...
My mom draws social security each month. I am over her finances. I use her money to pay her bills. She was in a car accident a few years ago. She didn't have any insurance so she has several bills from the accident. My mother is on a budget, but she doesn't receive very much. I have been doing my best to get them paid, but sometimes she just runs short. Will I be held responsible if we cannot get them paid?
 

Answers
Caring.com User - Joseph L.  Matthews
Caring.com Expert
A
Joseph L. Matthews is a Caring.com Expert, an attorney, and the author of Long-Term Care: How to Plan & Pay for It and...
100% helpful
answered...

See also:
Financial Red Flags
In general, you are not responsible for your mother's bills or debts, even though you are overseeing payment. As long as you don't mix your bank account with hers, or sign any documents agreeing to be responsible for her bills or debts, you don't become personally responsible for them just because you are signing the checks, from your mother's account, to pay those bills. Being authorized to write checks from an account does not make you legally responsible. However, if your name appears on the checks, some creditor might mistakenly assume that you are taking responsibility for the debt. If you get any communication from one of your mother's creditors asking you to personally pay one of her bills, let them know immediately in writing that you are merely handling your mother's finances for her, but that you have not assumed responsibility for her debts.

 

 
Ask a question Ask a question | Add an answer Add an answer

Assisted living costs near you

Compare pictures, pricing, options.