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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]PP here.  My FIL is the mess and my DH feels responsible for him.

I mean, yes, FIL is responsible for himself.  DH understands this.. and for now.. is ok with that being the case.  But at some point.. we know that we will probably have to make some really tough decisions that, if there were a spouse, we would not be making. For instance, at the end of the day, are we going to let him live on the street?  Are we going to not help him get medical care?  Are we going to see him go hungry?  There is an added element of undiagnosed mental issues here.  DH believes strongly that FIL is currently sick.. thus, not all of these irresponsible decisions are necessarily his "fault."

So no, we are not legally responsible (Although.. if you research Filial Duty rules there does seem to be a trend moving towards some level of legal responsibility.) But morally.... ethically.. we will have to step in.

Of course my DH does not begrudge my MIL her happiness.  But, again, there is some level of burden that was shifted onto him as a result of the divorce.  And, potentially, a legal burden as well.[/quote]

+1.  The spouse can check out and wash her hands of the situation, abandoning her children to cope on their own.  It's easy to say "he's responsible for himself" but when it really comes down to it, are you going to let your own father become homeless?  I couldn't do it, myself, nor could I explain to my own children that that's what I'm doing.  [/quote]

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