Placing a loved one in an elder care facility is one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. You tour facilities, speak with staff, and meticulously review the care options, trusting that you’re choosing a safe and ethical environment. But what many families fail to scrutinize is the admissions contract—a dense, legally binding document signed during a time of great emotional stress. Buried within this fine print can be clauses that give the facility significant power over your loved one’s finances. In certain situations, these contracts allow elder care facilities to legally seize assets, making it nearly impossible to get that money back, even if you move your loved one out.
Here are six situations and contract types where a facility might be able to keep your family’s money.
