Adult children have a legal responsibility to provide care and support for their elderly parents, including ensuring their physical and emotional well-being, managing their finances if necessary, and making decisions about their healthcare.

In most cases, adult children are not automatically responsible for their parents’ debts. However, if they have signed a contract agreeing to be responsible for their parents’ debts or if they have co-signed a loan, they may be held liable.

Adult children may have the legal right to make decisions on behalf of their elderly parents if they have been granted power of attorney or if a court has appointed them as guardians. However, these rights can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the laws of the state.

Adult children can take legal steps such as creating a will, establishing a healthcare directive, and setting up a power of attorney to protect their elderly parents’ rights and ensure their wishes are carried out in the event of incapacity or death.