13 U.S. States Where Adults Are Legally Required to Support Their Parents

Most Americans assume that once they’re grown, they’re financially on their own and so are their parents. But that’s not always true. In some states, the law says you might have to reach for your wallet to take care of mom and dad, especially if they can’t afford to care for themselves.

These laws are called “filial responsibility laws.” They’ve been around for centuries but often fly under the radar. Some are rarely enforced. Others, though, have led to actual lawsuits. If your parents rack up nursing home bills and can’t pay, that bill could land in your mailbox, depending on where you live.

South Dakota

South Dakota keeps its law active, even though it rarely comes up in court. Still, nursing homes in the state have the option to sue adult children to recover unpaid costs if the parent has no resources. The law doesn’t force it, but it leaves the door open.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is the poster child for enforcing filial responsibility. In 2012, a court ordered a man to pay his mom’s $93,000 nursing home bill even though she’d left the country. The court didn’t care that he didn’t sign anything or agree to pay. In Pennsylvania, if your parent is indigent and you can afford to help, the law expects you to do it.

California

California has a filial responsibility law, but it hasn’t been used much since Medicaid rules took over most elder care funding. That said, the law still exists, and technically, it can be used. If federal or state programs fall short, and your parent is left without care, the state can turn to you.

Indiana

Indiana’s version of the law states that adult children must provide support to indigent parents when possible. Courts can consider your financial situation before demanding that you pay. But if your parent are in a long-term care facility and can’t afford it, the state can look your way.

North Carolina

North Carolina has a strict law that applies not just to children, but also to grandchildren in some cases. The state allows providers of food, shelter, or medical care to sue adult children for reimbursement if parents are broke. It doesn’t matter whether you had a close relationship.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island requires that financially able children help their parents if those parents are unable to maintain themselves. While the law sounds old-school, it’s still very much on the books. The state can press charges in civil court if necessary.

Nevada

Nevada law expects adult children to support their poor parents, but the rule is mostly unused. It requires that the child must have had a prior written agreement to care for the parents. Still, it’s there. And if Medicaid or private insurance doesn’t cover your parents’ needs, someone could pull that legal lever.

Connecticut

Connecticut has a filial responsibility law, and unlike other states, it doesn’t just cover food and shelter; it considers their age. That means if your parent ends up in a hospital and has no way to pay, the hospital might come after you. Courts weigh your income and ability to pay before deciding.

Georgia

Georgia’s law says that adult children can be legally required to support their parents if they’re unable to support themselves. This includes providing necessities like food and housing. While rarely enforced, it still hangs there as a potential surprise for adult children.

Louisiana

Louisiana’s law has roots in the state’s French legal system. It says adult children owe support to their parents in need, as long as the child can afford it. The rule isn’t just financial; it speaks to the broader cultural expectations of family support in Louisiana.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts allows nursing homes or the state to seek money from adult children if a parent is unable to pay for care. In practice, this doesn’t happen a lot. But the law can be triggered when no other options exist, and facilities are looking for ways to cover costs.

Montana

Montana law states that adult children must provide for the basic needs of their parents if the parents are destitute. This includes food, shelter, and medical care. Like others, the law is rarely enforced but still legally valid. Whether or not it’s used, it’s still part of the legal toolkit.

Puerto Rico

While not a state, Puerto Rico deserves a mention. Its civil code makes it clear that children owe their parents support if the parents are in need. Courts in Puerto Rico have enforced this law, especially when the adult child has enough income to help and chooses not to.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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