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Both of my parents are still alive. My father is 80, my mother is 81. My father suffers from dementia and is getting worse. My mother survived cancer and is very self sufficient. She will need a hip replacement fairly soon. My parents have been divorced for over 30 years. It was a very nasty divorce with my father cheating on my mother and eventually remarrying and starting a whole new family. My father, at the time of the divorce, was completely entranced with his new girlfriend and focused on her primarily. He and this new girlfriend were married for about 20 years before divorcing. My family’s history is very complex and dysfunctional. My mother has supported my brother, who is two years older than me, for much of his life. She has made one bad decision after another (e.g, agreeing to take care of his young child while he moved out of state with a girlfriend and her daughters, giving him money to the tune of at least $150-200,000 for a lawyer to fight a child sexual abuse charge from his wife (mother of his child) and subsequently suing the city for false arrest, helping him buy a house, etc). However, there have been times in my life where my husband and I could have really used some financial assistance and my mother told us she had “no money.” Currently, my brother has moved back to the same state as myself and my parents after being charged with two counts of inappropriate sexual abuse of one of his ex-girlfriend’s daughters. He is currently out on bail. My mother and father have both supported my brother with the financial strains of bailing him out of jail ($5,000) and paying for a lawyer. My brother has vehemently denied the sex abuse accusations. I have cautioned my parents numerous times about giving more money to my brother, who treats them horribly. My brother has not held a paying job for at least 10 years, even though he has many skills and could work. My mother gets extremely angry if I even suggest that my brother might be guilty of this newest abuse charge (he’s been accused 3 times now over the years but nothing has ever been proved) and does not want me to share my opinions about my brother with her. To top things off, all three of these people-mom, dad, and my brother- live in the same apartment building. I’m at my wits end with all of them. My mother and father refuse to face the reality that their son may indeed be guilty and belongs in jail. Neither of them take any of my advice and my mom gets extremely defensive if I warn her not to get involved in various dubious activities for my brother (eg lending my brother her phone to use to make various phone calls even though he has his own phone). He has also involved my mother in housing fraud. My brother is very manipulative and can convince my mother to pretty much do anything for him. My mother’s acquiescence in going along with my brother’s various schemes and bad ideas has long been a bone of contention between us. I don’t know what to do. I don’t really want to see any of these people anymore, they have caused me so much distress over the years. I have a wonderful little family of my own and have been married for 26 years. My husband has patiently put up with his in-laws but he has run out of patience. My dilemma is that my parents are both elderly and I feel guilty about distancing myself from them. Not sure what to do...sorry this is so long...

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You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.

You need to let things go. Brother is reaping the rewards let him deal with the fallout. Which will be him caring for the parents who support him. Medicaid doesn't care if ur a son, any large amounts of money "gifted" will cause penalties when applying for Medicaid LTC.

I would just walk away at this point. You are not going to change the way your parents have thought for years. There are filial laws about children covering the cost of parents care but they were put in place before Medicaid. They are rarely enforced. Please never feel that you need to support them in any way. They chose to give their hard earn money to brother. There are resources out there. If/When the time comes, I may just let the State take over their care.
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Cut and run. Let them suffer the consequences of their actions. Do nothing whatsoever to help them, financially or otherwise. Don't do any hands on caregiving, doctor's visits, or anything else. Do not give them any money, it'll likely just go to the pedo. Don't even call them, why put yourself through that if you have your own wonderful family?

Send your brother a case of bar soap, so he can practice holding onto it tightly. He's not going to want to risk dropping it if he goes to prison for molesting children.
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Sounds like your brother is driving the bus & parents happy to be on-board. Heading into crazy-town at full speed.

Stay Off This Bus!

You have advised them.
They have ignored.
If/when they crash - then you can send help.

Not YOU personally rushing over to pay, cook, clean, provide but send APS, Police, Paramedics, Mental Health crises team (whichever is appropriate). Maybe lawyers now to report possible elder financial abuse?

Position yourself in a SAFE place, physically & emotionally. Be advocates for your parents if you wish. (I'd probably leave the moocher brother for the universe to sort out).
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Dolly64 Apr 2021
Love your answer! Thank you for taking the time to reply!
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It seems like your instincts are right, but you might consider consulting with an attorney about it and see if they have any suggestions. In some states, adult children may have a legal duty of support to a parent. Perhaps, these laws aren’t enforced often, but I’d get info on it. This could impact you, if brother depletes their resources. If your parents are suffering with cognitive decline and are being taken advantage of, it could rise to a criminal level. Authorities might be interested. They may have no funds left to pay for long term care, if required. Still, placing you and your family as a priority is valid. Nothing wrong with that. You’ve tried. I have something similar with my family.
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Dolly64 Apr 2021
Thank you for your reply! My father does suffer with cognitive decline due to dementia. I have spoken with his sister, my aunt, about the possibility of looking into adult CPS services to protect his giving away of money to my brother to pay lawyer costs. She felt that if he wanted to help his son, that was a valid way to use his money. I don’t agree. My father is extremely stubborn and a know-it-all and he can’t be reasoned with-he was like this before dementia. I’m hesitant to involve CPS because mom, dad, and my brother would be furious. My brother furious can be a dangerous proposition.
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This bunch has made their own bed. It's very sad, but I think you have to walk away.

I'd suggest seeing a therapist to learn how to do it. It'll do wonders for your sanity once you learn you can't give advice to those to don't want it.

As my mother once said, you aren't required to take their monkeys on your back. Once you truly believe that, you'll be free.
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Dolly64 Apr 2021
Thank you so much for your reply!
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Sounds to me like you are doing the right thing
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