Q. Medical debt seems like a big issue these days, with myself and others I know struggling to pay medical bills. I heard that hospitals and nursing homes are suing more often to get their debts paid. Oddly, my friend in upstate New York is being sued by a nursing home for another friend’s debts. Not even a family member… just a casual friend! She has no control over his money or authority to make decisions for him, yet they are still coming after her. I’ve never heard of such a thing? Is this happening a lot and how can it be avoided?

Dear Oakley,

When a loved one enters a nursing home, who is the person who signs the legal documents? Would it be the individual themselves, the spouse, or the children? Does signing the papers make the person who signed financially responsible for the nursing home costs?

Thanks,

Lya Bull