In many U.S. states, caring for your aging parents isn’t just a personal responsibility—it could also be a legal one. Filial responsibility laws hold adult children liable for their parents’ care if the parents are unable to support themselves and government aid like Medicaid doesn’t cover all expenses. Below are 25 states where these laws exist, with a brief explanation of how each state addresses the issue.
Alaska
Alaska’s law allows parents to recover financial support from adult children if the parents cannot afford basic living expenses and the child has the means to help.
Arkansas
Adult children in Arkansas can be held responsible for supporting impoverished parents, though the law is rarely enforced.
California
California’s filial law was repealed in 2005, but prior to that, adult children could be held liable. However, older cases could still have lingering effects.
Connecticut
Connecticut law makes adult children responsible for financially supporting parents who are unable to maintain themselves, unless the child is unable to pay.
Delaware
Delaware law allows parents to seek financial support from children, but it’s seldom used and rarely enforced.
Georgia
Georgia statutes say that adult children may be required to support needy parents, particularly if the child has sufficient means.
Idaho
In Idaho, adult children may be legally obligated to provide financial support to their parents if the parents are destitute.
Indiana
Indiana enforces its filial responsibility laws more clearly than most states. Adult children can be sued for parents’ medical or nursing home debts.
Iowa
Iowa law requires adult children to support poor parents, but enforcement is extremely rare and usually only happens through civil suits.
Kentucky
Kentucky statutes require financially able adult children to support indigent parents, though it’s not actively pursued in most cases.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s civil code places a legal duty on children to support their needy parents if they are able to provide financial help.
Maryland
Maryland requires adult children to support destitute parents, with certain exceptions such as documented abuse or neglect.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts law says adult children may be responsible for supporting their parents, especially if the parents are reliant on public aid.
Mississippi
Mississippi’s law allows courts to compel adult children to assist parents in need, but such cases are rarely filed.
Montana
Montana law outlines the duty of children to provide maintenance for poor parents, although enforcement is not common.
Nevada
Nevada includes filial responsibility in its state statutes, giving courts the power to order support for parents under certain financial conditions.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire law requires adult children to support their parents if they’re financially able and the parent is in need of assistance.
New Jersey
New Jersey has active filial responsibility laws and allows recovery of costs from adult children when parents are receiving public assistance.
North Carolina
North Carolina law holds adult children liable for the support of their parents unless the child can prove financial hardship or other valid defenses.
North Dakota
North Dakota’s laws make adult children potentially responsible for supporting needy parents, though enforcement is virtually nonexistent.
Ohio
Ohio law includes provisions for the financial support of parents by adult children, especially in cases where Medicaid or other funding falls short.
Oregon
Oregon has a statute on the books that recognizes adult children’s responsibility to assist impoverished parents, but it’s rarely invoked.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is one of the few states where filial responsibility laws have been actively enforced, including notable lawsuits against adult children for nursing home costs.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island law allows courts to require adult children to support their parents if they are found to be financially able to do so.
South Dakota
South Dakota enforces filial support under state law, placing financial responsibility on children if their parents are in poverty and lack other resources.
