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    pencekds's Avatar
    pencekds Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Sep 16, 2009, 09:22 AM
    Elderly Mother unable to pay a credit card
    My 78 year old mother suffers from extreme depression and dementia.
    She has not left her home even to go outside for the past 2 years. She won't speak to anyone on the phone, she hides any mail she gets her hands on, even if it is not hers.
    She is unable to do anything like cooking, cleaning laundry. She reads the obituary column all day every day that is her whole day.
    About 2 weeks ago the county sheriff showed up here with a letter from a law fiirm that is a collection agency saying she was being sued.
    My daughter happpened to be outside playing with her baby and talked to the sheriff(whom she said was very nice) explained my mothers condition and he gave her the paper to give to my mother.
    My daughter talked to my mother and gave her the paper. I don't know if my mother fully understands this or not. Is it to late to contact the credit card company?
    There is no way that I can pay this. My daughter and her husband live with my mother and do the cooking, cleaning, maitinence, etc. but they can't pay this.
    My father is still living and is self employed and hasn't had any work in months. In fact he just gave my daughter and son in law the electric bill and phone bill to pay because he can't afford to pay them. What can I do? Help
    twinkiedooter's Avatar
    twinkiedooter Posts: 12,172, Reputation: 1054
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    #2

    Sep 21, 2009, 06:06 PM

    If mom is collecting social security retirement that cannot be garnished. If mom and dad own a home, a judgment lien can be placed on it so when it comes time for the home to be sold the judgment lien must be satisfied immediately after any mortgage on the home is paid.

    You are not responsible for mother's debt unless you chose to be and you would have to sign paperwork accordingly.

    You could contact the law office on her behalf and explain that she has no income other than her SSR (if she has that income) and reiterate to them that SSR is not able to be garnished. Take her to the hearing as well.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #3

    Sep 21, 2009, 06:09 PM

    Ok, first something needs to be done to look at mom and dads bills, next a method ot keep mom from hiding the mail has to be done. If she can not be controlled and properly supervised at home, some other method may have to be considered.

    Next if it not your problem it is mom and dad problem. So sit down and look at their bills and see what can be done.

    Whose home are they living in, and who owns it ( or is it rented )

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