Castillo Rancon
Love and guilt aren’t the only reasons to help your parents. In some U.S. states, the law might give you a nudge if you forget Dad’s medication bill or Mom’s rent. These “filial responsibility laws” sound old-school, but they’re very real. And if you live in the following states, you are affected by them.
Alaska
Few realize that Alaska Statute section 25.20.030 still holds adult children financially accountable for indigent parents. Though rarely used in court, the law serves as a legal fallback if parents require essential care and children have the ability to provide support.
California
Filial duty in California is codified in Family Code section 4400 and requires adult children to support financially needy parents. While enforcement is rare due to state programs like Medi-Cal, the statute remains enforceable through civil proceedings in certain care-related disputes.
Rhode Island
Don’t underestimate this small state—Rhode Island’s section 15-10-1 allows courts to legally compel adult children to cover costs for indigent parents, including medical care. The law is especially relevant when families face Medicaid reimbursement or long-term care liabilities.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, filial responsibility isn’t just a moral value but is codified under section 43-31-25. Adult children may be legally required to help with essentials like shelter, food, and medical bills if their parents fall into financial hardship and the children are able to pay.
Connecticut
Support obligations in Connecticut stem from section 46b-215, which allows courts to assign responsibility to children if their aging parents become dependent on public assistance. The statute balances family duty with the state’s interest in reducing long-term care costs.
Delaware
The law in Delaware, Title 13 Section 503, imposes a duty on adult children to assist their parents when they cannot meet basic living needs. While not commonly enforced, this provision can be activated in state-assisted elder care cases.
Georgia
Though rarely cited today, Georgia’s legacy of filial responsibility persists through its civil codes. Courts can request that adult children provide financial or in-home care support to aging parents, particularly when no other assistance is available.
North Carolina
North Carolina takes a unique approach by adding a criminal angle. Under section 14-326.1, neglecting to support an indigent parent may result in a misdemeanor charge. While uncommon, it is still an enforceable legal route for elder protection.
Indiana
If parents become public charges in Indiana, the state can initiate legal steps under section 31-16-17-1. This statute empowers courts to mandate support from financially capable adult children as a cost-recovery method for elder services.
Kentucky
Kentucky law, detailed in section 530.050, defines failure to support an indigent parent as a misdemeanor. Children can be compelled to contribute financially when parents are without means. Courts weigh each party’s resources and circumstances.
North Dakota
The responsibility of children toward indigent parents is spelled out in North Dakota Century Code section 14-09-10. Though not often enforced, the statute may arise in estate disputes or Medicaid recovery proceedings involving elder care debt.
Iowa
On the books in Iowa is section 252.1, which holds adult children liable for supporting their impoverished parents. The law can be triggered when parents rely on public aid and children have the financial means to help offset costs.
Louisiana
Rooted in civil law tradition, Louisiana’s Article 229 places a clear obligation on adult children to care for parents in need. When elders lack basic support and family resources are available, courts can intervene to order payments or services.
New Jersey
New Jersey enforces one of the more active filial laws through section 44:4-100. Long-term care providers have successfully sued adult children for unpaid medical bills, particularly in cases where Medicaid coverage falls short or is pending.
Massachusetts
Legal duty in Massachusetts arises under Chapter 273 Section 20. It enforces filial responsibility laws to reduce institutional care costs. Adult kids must help with living expenses and medical bills to foster a culture where family care is respected and prioritized over public dependency.
Nevada
Gambling on elder care isn’t an option in Nevada. Rather than a direct family law statute, it relies on NRS section 428.070, enabling counties to recover elder care costs from adult children. These civil recovery actions help limit state spending on long-term support services.
New Hampshire
The Granite State uses RSA section 167:2 to quietly enforce family care. If parents receive public aid, courts can order capable children to reimburse the state or contribute toward the cost of services such as housing or medical support.
Pennsylvania
Unlike most states, Pennsylvania actively enforces its filial law under 23 Pa. C.S. section 4603. Courts routinely allow nursing homes to sue adult children for parents’ unpaid care, especially when Medicaid eligibility is denied or delayed.
Virginia
History runs deep in Virginia, and so does its approach to family care. In Virginia, Code sections 20-88 outline a financial duty for adult children to their indigent parents. While not commonly prosecuted, the law is still valid and can be cited in elder care litigation or public cost recovery cases.
South Dakota
South Dakota Codified Law section 25-7-27 reinforces adult children’s duty to assist aging parents. The law supports state efforts to reduce dependency on public funds, especially in cases where elder neglect leads to institutionalization or Medicaid claims.
