I have a elderly friend in a SNF that wants to get a divorce from his wife. She's the reason he's in there in the first place. He has told social services there but they won't get into family dynamics. I have heard of people getting married in a nursing home but not a divorce. Anybody know how to go about this?
About 60% of the people in nursing homes have dementia. Does your friend have dementia?
I think it is very kind of you to be concerned about your friend and to look into things for him. If you are relying on his account of things you may not be getting a full and accurate account. For example, his wife is the reason he is there. Do you mean she pushed him down the stairs and now he can't walk? She refuses to bring in some outside help so he could stay at home? She cannot continue to care for him alone and wants him to get good care? His version may not totally match her version!
If he is competent to make his own decisions (no cognitive issues that would prevent this) then he would go about getting a divorce as anyone else would. Get a lawyer. Have the lawyer investigate the financial consequences. Make a final decision. Have the lawyer proceed with the legal process.
Most states also have an option of representing yourself and not going through a lawyer. That may work IF both parties agree to the divorce and have been able to work out the distribution of assets. Would your friend be able to handle the paperwork?
Is Medicaid involved in paying for the NH?
If you friend is of sound mind, he might be able to leave the nursing home at any time and go live on his own. But could he? Bet he can't.
Thus, a divorce won't solve the issue of him being in a nursing home.