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Any that can, will place a lien so that after your Mom passes, her estate will pay them. If she isn’t on Medicaid, you are suppose to pay her bills out of her bank account until she reaches Zmeficaid status.
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elaineSC Aug 2020
Medicaid status.
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First of all, get a Power of Attorney. Then put in writing that she is in a nursing home and there are no funds and they should close the account. Contact the credit card companies for information how to stop them calling, etc. Or talk with an eldercare attorney. YOU are NOT responsible to pay her bills.
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Also contact the credit card companies and make them aware of the situation.
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Imho, assuming that you weren't a co-signer on your mother's credit card account(s), do NOT provide the callers with ANY of your personal information. Place a block on the credit card company phone number. Be aware that you may have to keep doing that as no doubt they will use different phone numbers in their efforts. You may have to have an attorney on retainer.
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Why has your mother gone into a nursing home? Most people go into those because they cannot take care of themselves, including finances. So my question - who is her POA? Secondly, depending on the state you reside will depend on the laws. In Texas it is illegal for collectors to harass anyone over the phone and can be reported to the authorities. It seems to me that your mother needs your help to oversee her finances, whether she likes it or not. And since she is in a nursing home and they are notorious for theft I would take those credit cards away from her, cut them up, and put money on her NH house account so she can have spending money. First and foremost someone close to her needs to have a POA to protect her. Sometimes people think they are taking care of their bills, and maybe they think they are - especially the elderly; they don't want to give up their independence. If you are the one overseeing her needs then you should be the one to talk to an attorney ASAP and get all of these forms and legalities taken care of.....it will give you peace of mind.
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disgustedtoo Aug 2020
Aug 28 reply to a comment by OP:
"My mom has cancer and can not be left alone anymore. She is getting too weak. She has medicaid for the nursing home bills. She has no money and owns nothing except a chair and tv."

Also note, in the original post OP said "Mom always handled her own bills and now with her in the nursing home I found out that she hasn't paid them since December."

POAs generally don't become activated until a person can no longer manage their finances or they choose to give up control. OP's mom doesn't have dementia/cognitive issues. As noted, OP was of the impression that her mother was taking care of the bills. Others argue we should butt out and let elders manage their own affairs, but then we see chastising for not taking control! OP does have POA and manages things now, but there presumably are no funds to manage at this point. Medicaid will require SS and any other income go directly to the NH.

Additionally, OP also posted a reply that said her mother moved to the NH 3 weeks ago. The calls are regarding the past bills that went unpaid. OP's mother isn't charging anything in the NH!
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Ask to speak with a supervisor. Explain her circumstances that she no longer has the ability to pay as in nursing home she only received $30 from her check.
Demand that they stop calling your home. U may have to put it in writing but let them know u are not responsible for her bills and will not pay. They can write them off.
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delusionalmom Sep 2020
That is what I had to do. When my mother went into assisted living she had three credit cards she owed money on. I wrote to each company asking forgiveness of her debt because the home took all her income only leaving her $30 a month. After that they quit mailing her invoices every month.
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Are you POA of your mother, you could write checks out to the companies out of HER MONEY, not yours.  You could contact an elder attorney to find out how best to handle, maybe send them the address of the NH where she is.  Does she have dementia, if so, then she won't remember to pay the bills.  Maybe office of aging might have some ideas.  If there is no money left after paying for the NH, not sure what else can be done.  Hope someone else on here has better ideas.  wishing you luck.
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