Elder Law Answers
Am I Legally Obligated to Continue to Care for My Mother Even Though She Is Mean to Us?
My 80-year-old mother has memory problems and has been living with my wife and me for about six months now. She keeps begg...
Read moreIs My Mother Responsible for My Deceased Brother's Debts?
- August 27th, 2013
Q
My brother recently died in Texas and at the time of death he was on state aid and had no money. My mother who lives in Arizona has recently received a few bills. Is she obligated to pay his debts? There is no estate. What does she do with these bills?
A
Your mother is not responsible for your brother's debts out of her own funds. If she had received money from your brother's estate, she would be responsible for using those funds to pay your brother's obligations. She should simply let the creditors know the situation.