Citing the state’s spousal support statute, an Ohio appeals court rules that a nursing home may place a lien on the house of the wife of a nursing home resident who left an unpaid bill. Metrohealth Center for Skilled Nursing Care v. Parnell (Ohio Ct. App., 8th Dist., No. 98211, Oct. 11, 2012).
Evangeline Parnell's husband was a resident of a nursing home. After Mr. Parnell died, the nursing home filed a claim against Mrs. Parnell for the unpaid portion of her husband's bill, which was $11,755.66. State law requires a married person to support his or her spouse.
The nursing home asked for summary judgment, arguing Mrs. Parnell did not demonstrate she did not have the means to pay for her husband's care because she owned two pieces of property -- including the home in which she lived, which the county auditor valued at $52,200, as well as another piece of property that she gifted to her daughter. Mrs. Parnell argued she lived on a fixed income and the county appraisal of her home was not accurate. The trial court granted the nursing home summary judgment and Mrs. Parnell appealed.
The Ohio Court of Appeals affirms, granting summary judgment to the nursing home. According to the court, although Mrs. Parnell claimed her house was worthless, she offered no evidence of this. The court rules that the evidence presented showed that the house she lived in was of sufficient value to settle the debt, so the nursing home may put a lien on the house.
For the full text of this decision, go to: https://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/docs/pdf/8/2012/2012-ohio-4725.pdf.
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