Sec. 13. (a) The attorney general, upon notification of the superintendent of the Indiana Veterans' Home, shall file a claim in the name of the state on behalf of the superintendent of the home against the estate of a person who fails to make payment as required in this chapter. If the claim is allowed or judgment is obtained, the claim or judgment constitutes a lien against that part of the estate of the person described in the claim.
(b) The attorney general may bring suit against the legal guardian of a patient for failure to comply with an established maintenance agreement or for failure to make an agreement. Suit may be brought for the amount due the state for the maintenance charges of the member. The court may order the payment of maintenance charges for a period as the circumstances require. An order may be entered against one (1) or more of the defendants. An order for the payment of money may be enforced by attachment, garnishment, or a proceeding supplemental against the defendants. Other judgments at law and costs may be adjudged against the defendants and apportioned among them.
(c) The attorney general may bring a proceeding to foreclose on a lien arising from maintenance charges under section 8 of this chapter during the lifetime of the member if the superintendent believes it is in the best interest of the veterans' home to foreclose on the lien.
(d) Upon:
(1) the death of a member whose property is encumbered by a lien arising under section 8 of this chapter; and
(2) notification by the superintendent;
the attorney general shall file a claim against the member's estate for recovery of all charges for maintenance that have accrued at the date of death. Notwithstanding any other law, a claim filed for recovery of charges for maintenance has priority in order of payment from the estate over all other claims except prior recorded encumbrances, taxes, reasonable costs of administration, and reasonable funeral expenses. However, if real property of the deceased member is occupied by a surviving spouse of the member, the home may not assert its lien or claim during the lifetime of the surviving spouse. However, if other claimants or persons have opened an estate and are attempting to enforce their claims, or if there have been fraudulent attempts to avoid the claim or lien, the veterans' home shall file and assert the claim for recovery of costs of treatment and maintenance.
[Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-6-1-12.]
As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.8.
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.