Trust and Will: “Filial responsibility is a legal concept in which an adult child is financially responsible for their parents’ unpaid healthcare costs. Not all states have filial responsibility laws, and not all families are liable. In our guide, What is Filial Responsibility: we dive into an explanation of when these laws can possibly apply. In short, an individual could have filial responsibility if they have the means to pay for their parents’ unpaid long-term case bills, when their parents are not covered by Medicaid but do not have the financial means to pay for them.  In truth, no one really wants to be sued for another person’s bills, even if it’s for family. That’s why you’ll want to find out what states have filial responsibility, and if it’s something that you need to watch out for. How Many States Have Filial Responsibility Laws? There are currently 29 states that have filial responsibility laws, but the number of participating states continues to change. For instance, Maryland repealed their statutes relating to filial responsibility as recently as 2007, bringing the number down from 30 to 29. Because not all states have laws relating to filial responsibility, it is necessary to find out whether they apply in the state you live in.