Does POA signing as Responsible Party for AL in MD mean personal financial liability?

[Anonymous]

Title says it all. Contract seems vague and in general I’ve read the industry is not very regulated. Anyone familiar with MD law? Happy to be responsible for paying bills, etc with parent’s money but what happens if they outlive it? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

This is one to ask a lawyer!

[Anonymous]

You definitely need a lawyer because you want to know what you are agreeing to by signing and the only way to know that is to review the actual contract. Also, a lawyer can tell you how to sign - ie, whether you sign their name and then include "by _______" with your name in the blank or some other way.

As far as outliving money, that's a tough one. You should probably be talking with a financial advisor to get an expectation as to how long the money will last and plan AL admission accordingly. That type of care really is for people with significant resources, not your average person. It may take budgeting to make the money stretch. And, if the money runs out, the resident will be evicted.

If level of care needs increase and the resident qualifies for long term care, there is the possibility of Medicaid. But be aware of the five year look back period and what qualifies as acceptable spending.

Anyway, good luck.

[Anonymous]

Also, assisted living doesn’t take Medicaid, so will have to move to a nursing home at that point.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it usually does. And, you should cross that line out before signing

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't think so. If you sign Parent Name (POA your name) isn't it as though they are just signing their own name?

But good to ask an attorney.

[Anonymous]

When your parent checks in, there is a ton of paperwork. They usually ask the children to sign saying they are the responsible party. If you sign, when they run out of money, it's up to you to pay. Do not sign

[Anonymous]

The responsible party is responsible for full payment. Even if nobody else pays. Don't be that person.

[Anonymous]

No, and do not sign any contracts obligating you to pay. If you sign and agree, yes. You managing their money is not the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You definitely need a lawyer because you want to know what you are agreeing to by signing and the only way to know that is to review the actual contract. Also, a lawyer can tell you how to sign - ie, whether you sign their name and then include "by _______" with your name in the blank or some other way.

As far as outliving money, that's a tough one. You should probably be talking with a financial advisor to get an expectation as to how long the money will last and plan AL admission accordingly. That type of care really is for people with significant resources, not your average person. It may take budgeting to make the money stretch. And, if the money runs out, the resident will be evicted.

If level of care needs increase and the resident qualifies for long term care, there is the possibility of Medicaid. But be aware of the five year look back period and what qualifies as acceptable spending.

Anyway, good luck.

You don't need a lawyer. You don't sign anything obligating you to anything as its not your responsibility. When the money runs out, they will have to go on long term care medicaid for a nrusing home bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You definitely need a lawyer because you want to know what you are agreeing to by signing and the only way to know that is to review the actual contract. Also, a lawyer can tell you how to sign - ie, whether you sign their name and then include "by _______" with your name in the blank or some other way.

As far as outliving money, that's a tough one. You should probably be talking with a financial advisor to get an expectation as to how long the money will last and plan AL admission accordingly. That type of care really is for people with significant resources, not your average person. It may take budgeting to make the money stretch. And, if the money runs out, the resident will be evicted.

If level of care needs increase and the resident qualifies for long term care, there is the possibility of Medicaid. But be aware of the five year look back period and what qualifies as acceptable spending.

Anyway, good luck.

You don't need a lawyer. You don't sign anything obligating you to anything as its not your responsibility. When the money runs out, they will have to go on long term care medicaid for a nrusing home bed.

You make it sound so simple. It's not. It's a quick question to a lawyer as to how to sign when you're the POA. Also, long term medicaid is only there if the resident is at the level of care to qualify. If the condition does not decline as fast as the money runs out, then the resident has to find alternatives that they an afford. It's not pretty, which is why it's important to plan.