Using credit card to finance hike ?

[ZenBeard]

Giving serious thought about doing a SOBO Thru-hike this July. Already have all the gear necessary and have $4k-$5k available for trip.

Question: Why couldn't someone put all (or most) of their thru-hike purchases on a credit card and just make the minimum payment every month? That way, you get home and have cash available to keep you afloat until you get back to work, etc. Sure, you're going to have a huge credit card bill (with interest) to pay when you're done but you can do that as quickly or slowly as you desire.

Or is this just a bad idea?

[MuddyWaters]

Credit card interest rates are high.
Especially for people with no money/poor credit

If you don't have money, you don't have money , you are gambling you will in future. Easy to dig deep hole. Really deep.

Smart advice, is to save up. Sell things. Borrow no interest from parents, etc.

Let's be honest...doing this type thing is a symptom. It's reflective of how someone will approach everything in life. It won't be limited to just the AT. It will be everything. This is how some people end up with $100k in credit card debt.

They want the next thing, before the last is ever paid off. It's a never ending chain of wanting what you can't afford. Sure some can manage it. Some can't. Some manage until an event like job loss derails it all.

My wife's parents were this type. Stayed above their means until her dad was laid off, couldn't get another job near the same pay. Went bankrupt, owed massive credit card debt, owed IRS 40k. Lost house, had to move back to NJ where a family member gave them a job. Was psychologically damaging to her teenage little brothers. One ended up on meth, and in prison when friends he stayed with were busted for making it.

[Megapixel]

From experience, I say you might find life pretty stressful post hike trying to pay down a double digit interest rate balance of 6k. If you do decide to go the credit route, see if you can get a card with a zero % intro rate for 18 months, and open it the month you depart. Another financially viable option is selling all your stuff which you can replace item by item cash after you return, if you find you still want all of it. This is a very freeing option, one i’ve also experienced twice in my life.

[AllDownhillFromHere]

Giving serious thought about doing a SOBO Thru-hike this July. Already have all the gear necessary and have $4k-$5k available for trip.Question: Why couldn't someone put all (or most) of their thru-hike purchases on a credit card and just make the minimum payment every month? That way, you get home and have cash available to keep you afloat until you get back to work, etc. Sure, you're going to have a huge credit card bill (with interest) to pay when you're done but you can do that as quickly or slowly as you desire. Or is this just a bad idea?

It's as bad an idea as buying a $4000 TV with a credit card, and paying it off over time.

[illabelle]

Giving serious thought about doing a SOBO Thru-hike this July. Already have all the gear necessary and have $4k-$5k available for trip.

Question: Why couldn't someone put all (or most) of their thru-hike purchases on a credit card and just make the minimum payment every month? That way, you get home and have cash available to keep you afloat until you get back to work, etc. Sure, you're going to have a huge credit card bill (with interest) to pay when you're done but you can do that as quickly or slowly as you desire.

Or is this just a bad idea?

Zen, a lot depends on your history handling money and where you are in your career. What you described isn't something I would do personally, because I hate paying interest. However, just because I have the financial resources to pay our credit card bill in full every month doesn't mean you do. I'm glad to see that you have the money saved for the hike, and it is smart to consider what happens after the hike. Maybe you could develop a modified plan where you reserve $2000 or whatever for post-hike expenses, and use the credit card only after the rest of the money is gone.

[Starchild]

The 4-5K will keep you on budget. CC it's easy to go over. Better to use the CC if you have to once you return.

[ZenBeard]

Thanks everyone. Pretty much what I thought everyone would say. Just curious. Not something I would do either.

[Heliotrope]

Credit card interest rates are high.
Especially for people with no money/poor credit

If you don't have money, you don't have money , you are gambling you will in future. Easy to dig deep hole. Really deep.

Smart advice, is to save up. Sell things. Borrow no interest from parents, etc.

Let's be honest...doing this type thing is a symptom. It's reflective of how someone will approach everything in life. It won't be limited to just the AT. It will be everything. This is how some people end up with $100k in credit card debt.

They want the next thing, before the last is ever paid off. It's a never ending chain of wanting what you can't afford. Sure some can manage it. Some can't. Some manage until an event like job loss derails it all.

My wife's parents were this type. Stayed above their means until her dad was laid off, couldn't get another job near the same pay. Went bankrupt, owed massive credit card debt, owed IRS 40k. Lost house, had to move back to NJ where a family member gave them a job. Was psychologically damaging to her teenage little brothers. One ended up on meth, and in prison when friends he stayed with were busted for making it.

Exactly. Credit cards are best for people that really don’t need them.


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[Slo-go'en]

Very bad idea to put a hike on a CC unless you have the cash to back it up. What you should do is put the card on automatic payments by linking it to your savings account. That way you don't need to worry about missing payments.

[johnacraft]

Giving serious thought about doing a SOBO Thru-hike this July.

. . .
Why couldn't someone put all (or most) of their thru-hike purchases on a credit card and just make the minimum payment every month?

In addition to points already made, I'd like to address the part in bold.

Let's say you use your credit card to finance your hike, and stop using it when you finish. If you make only the minimum monthly payment when you return, your balance outstanding will continue to go up, because the 'minimum payment' is usually less than the interest accrued.

It's not possible to 'pay off' a credit card balance making only the minimum payment. It's not even possible to maintain a consistent balance outstanding only making the minimum payment.

[AllDownhillFromHere]

I knew someone who financed their AT hike by margin borrowing during the dotcom boom. As it turned out, it worked for him.

[peakbagger]

I knew someone who financed their AT hike by margin borrowing during the dotcom boom. As it turned out, it worked for him.

A fancy way or saying he used his gambling winnings to fund his hike. ;) I suppose someone could fund an AT hike by buying scratch tickets along the way. If they lose they have to hang out in town and wait until they earn enough to buy another ticket and hope that wins.

[JJ505]

$3-5K (plus or minus) is a huge amount to put credit card. Have you figured out the interest you will pay? Also if you don't pay on time, have you figured what kind of penalties you'll pay? (I agree with Heliotrope that credit cards are best used for people who don't need them.)

[Coffee]

It has been said already but bears repeating - you can't get ahead in the world when savings accounts pay 1% and credit cards charge 18%. It's a terrible idea to use credit cards except in limited cases when they are paid off each month, not incurring interest. It is too easy to overspend with cards. With cold hard cash, you spend what you have and no more.

[somers515]

Thanks everyone. Pretty much what I thought everyone would say. Just curious. Not something I would do either.

Someone on whiteblaze posted this link in a thread like this once and it made a huge positive impact on my life. If living for 4-6 months with only what you can carry on your back is something that appeals to you but you feel money is tight - this website might be helpful for you. Good luck!

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/02/22/getting-rich-from-zero-to-hero-in-one-blog-post/

[Coffee]

+1 on Mr. Money Mustache - that's been my method of living for long before I ever read that site. Everything there is spot on.

[KnightErrant]

Finance the hike on a card without the funds to back it up? Like others have said, probably not a good idea.

However, if you have the money saved, I still think it's a good idea to bring and use a credit card for all purchases unless you want to withdraw cash with a debit card at the grocery store or something. If you're willing to do some research, stay on top of offer expiry dates, and pay off your full balance every month, credit cards can offer some nice perks in the form of cash back, airline miles, etc. If you're going to be spending $4000-$6000 on the trip anyway, might as well take advantage of those features! If you have a card with good air travel rewards, for example, by the time you've paid all for all those hotels and resupplies during the hike, you might end up with a discounted or even free ticket home from Maine.

I usually have two different credit cards and have them both set up to autopay the full balance from my checking account each month and I just keep an eye on my checking account to make sure nothing is at risk of bouncing. More than two feels like a headache, but my brother is super into looking around for the best deals and he usually has four or five at a time. He gets free gas, discounted flights, gift cards, all kinds of stuff. It's like a game to him the same way coupon shopping is for some people. If you're organized and you have the self-control not to charge a balance higher than you can pay off, it can be a good way to get free stuff.

[rickb]

Kind of depends on what you will have waiting for you when you get off the Trail.

If your professional prospects are air tight (like someone in Nursing, at least at one point in time) then I would not have any trouble with the plan.

I think it makes far more sense to go into debt for a thru hike, than it does going into debt to buy a new car — at least until your annual income exceeds $100k and you have your house paid off — which is something society thinks is normal (even expected).

[Berserker]

You may already know all this, but I thought I’d post in case it helps anyone else out. Using a credit card with the intent to only pay the minimum payment is not a smart move, and will cost a lot in the long run. Figuring out what this will cost is simple math, yet I don’t think a lot of people take the time to think it through.

As a theoretical (simplified) example let’s say you rack up $4,000 on the credit card, and your minimum payment is 1%. Let’s say your credit card gives you a decent interest rate of 12% apr, which is equivalent to 1% per month. So this is what the first month of paying this off would look like:
Minimum payment = $4,000 x 0.01 = $40
Balance after first month payment = $4,000 - $40 = $3,960

So you pay the first month off, which leaves $3,960 owed. When the interest accrues before next months payment the balance will be 1% higher, or $3,960 x 1.01 = $3,999.60.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that it’s gonna take a reaaaaaaaaaaaaallllyyy long time to pay off the debt at that rate. So as others have stated, save the money and then go hike. If you don't have the money then make it a priority to save it before you go.

[Vanhalo]

Be better to take out a loan. Or just save the money......never owned a credit card but I have paid off multiple loans.
Paying off a 20k loan this month....bought a car...started another one

[AllDownhillFromHere]

A fancy way or saying he used his gambling winnings to fund his hike. ;) I suppose someone could fund an AT hike by buying scratch tickets along the way. If they lose they have to hang out in town and wait until they earn enough to buy another ticket and hope that wins.
Not entirely.

[4eyedbuzzard]

I agree with most of the advice here, especially regarding making minimum payments on a high interest rate card. That's a ticket to a place you don't want to go. But, I would recommend carrying a credit card in addition to a debit card. Sometimes cards get corrupted when bank data is hacked, or if the card gets physically damaged and can't be read. It can take up to two weeks to get a replacement. It's always good to have a second method as a backup other than carrying large amounts of cash. I also prefer to use a credit card for hotels and rental cars and anybusiness I think might be sketchy, as holds on debit cards can tie up your bank account and if a problem arises credit card companies protect you better than debit cards with unauthorized charges.

[garlic08]

Another ditto here for Mr Money Mustache.

As an aside, MMM is an avid cyclist, and attributes his early retirement directly to bicycle commuting. So do I. I did the same thing in an earlier generation, retired at age 40 after commuting by bicycle for fifteen years, using the money of not having a commuter car to pay off mortgage debt. And the years of bicycling made the physical aspects of long distance hiking a non-issue for a middle-aged man.

And one more whack at the dead horse: The key to financial freedom is freedom from debt, and CC debt is starting off in exactly the wrong direction.

[Mags]

Ever since my debit card was hacked 4 years ago or so, I always use a credit card. (Plus I get cash back). But, I pay it ASAP so no interest or debt accrues. With mobile apps, this task is extremely easy.

Credit cards offer more protection, are more secure, and often offers benefits that a debit card does not have necessarily. A good tool when used correctly. Financing a thru-hike? Probably not so much.

[fastfoxengineering]

I plan on using my credit card for most of my on trail expenses when I can.

I just bumped up my limit too.

I have autopay setup to pay off the balance on time every billing cycle.

Its a good idea to check your transactions frequently when traveling to make sure nothing funky is going on.

I will get cash back and other bonuses.

A CC is only a good idea if you pay the balance every month.

I do have a good limit and if ever needed. I could make a large charge and deal with the consequences later. This would be if it was my only way to get out of a sticky situation.

If you need to use a card cause you don't have the finances already to hike. Now is not the time to go hiking. Work and save.

I know people buried in credit card debt and nothing to show for it. I really don't know how they got themselves into that situation. They thought they had unlimited money I guess?



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[fastfoxengineering]

Not entirely.I plan on playing the stock market on trail lol..

Got two hundred bucks in my Ameritrade account.

Let's see if I can pay for my trip lol

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[AllDownhillFromHere]

I plan on playing the stock market on trail lol..Got two hundred bucks in my Ameritrade account. Let's see if I can pay for my trip lolSent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Why is this hilarious?

[jgillam]

I live near Indianapolis. Last summer I noticed that most of the tall buildings downtown, had the names of banks on them. How do you suppose this happens? Credit card interest payments perhaps?

Lots of good advise here. I'll paraphrase Dave Ramsey and note that cash is king and that your greatest wealth building tool is your income. Everyone would be best off not giving any portion of their wealth, to the banks in the form of interest.

I'm all in favor of a thru hike, just do it wisely.

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[fiddlehead]

Nobody mentioning Bitcoin?
I was lucky in that regard although haven't sold yet (so can't say I am winning the game)
Back on my PCT thru in '96, I remember most of the thru-hikers were pretty much out of money and just using their cards to finish.
Not me, but many of the others.
Of course I use a card when hiking. .
But, always pay the monthly balance off totally every month.

[TexasBob]

Exactly. Credit cards are best for people that really don’t need them.

If you use a credit card as a convenient way to buy things that you already have the money to pay for then you won't get in trouble.

[MuddyWaters]

If you use a credit card as a convenient way to buy things that you already have the money to pay for then you won't get in trouble.
Exactly.

AND you should focus on getting the rewards, nominally 2%, + significant sign up bonuses.

This is free money. The cost of purchase via credit is built into all products pricing today. You are giving this away if you dont get your share back.

Many Years ago, they charged you extra to use a credit card to cover the fees the card co. Charges. Today its built in to everything.


I get $1000 free travel + each year by using cards smart.....It can take advance planning. Using my JMT hike as specific example, i got about $1500 free . Resupply charges , airfare, baggage, hotels stays, train, bus, etc. All free to me.

All paid for by people that carry a balance . Thank you.:)

[Heliotrope]

Good point Muddy Waters about free money and taking your share. Key words: “Smart use”


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[BillyGr]

The cost of purchase via credit is built into all products pricing today. You are giving this away if you dont get your share back.

Many Years ago, they charged you extra to use a credit card to cover the fees the card co. Charges. Today its built in to everything.


Built into most things, but not everything. For instance, in this area we have many gas stations that charge a lower price for cash payments than for those using a credit card. It can be a couple cents or sometimes up to around 10 cents difference per gallon, which can easily be the same or even more than the 5 or so cents you'd get back as the 2% (like now when it's around $2.50).

Also you will find things that either charge extra for using the card or give a discount for cash payments - again not as frequent as in the past, but still out there at times.

[Puddlefish]

During my thru attempt I learned that my debit card, a Visa, based from my local Credit Union, wasn't accepted at some locations down south. Apparently, they only accept Major credit cards. Even thought it was a Visa card, the "major" part of it was based on the issuing bank, not the card network. I'd never run into that problem before, and haven't since.

To the original poster. If you're patient, and don't use the credit card, you can eventually buy 15% more stuff. More importantly, when you start to apply for jobs, it's a thing these days for potential employers to look at your credit background. They can't see your credit score exactly, but a lot of the data is available to them. Noticing you've been living on credit might just not impress them.

[MuddyWaters]

Actually, employers do pull credit scores.
r
So does car insurance. Your car insurance is based on credit score in part, as well as age, sex, address, and driving history.

[CarlZ993]

I would advise not to finance your trip that way. Estimate what you need to do the hike, add some additional funds on top of it as a cushion, and then work toward that figure. Credit cards can quickly turn into crack cocaine of the financial world if you let them.

I personally use my credit card from just about every purchase I make. I pay off the bill in full each month. At the end of the year, my cash back card rewards me with 'free money.' This year, I got $603 back. I predict a new hammock underquilt in my future. :)

[MuddyWaters]

I personally use my credit card from just about every purchase I make. I pay off the bill in full each month. At the end of the year, my cash back card rewards me with 'free money.' This year, I got $603 back. I predict a new hammock underquilt in my future. :)

Yup. I do too.

Yesterday I bribed my 23 yr old daughter to help me rebuild part of fence and gate, including extracting two rotten posts/concrete from ground and replacing. Took about 5 hrs. To pay her, I couldn't remember my ATM pin, been probably 2 yrs since I used it last.

[peakbagger]

I had a Discover card for several years. I could use the rebates to by LL Bean gift cards at 20% off. By keeping an eye on sales I got a lot of high end gear over the years. I dont think I have carried a balance for many years. I also locked all the credit agencies after the Equifax breach. According to one of my accounts that keep track of FICO scores, my rating isnt as high as it should as I dont have any recent installment debt. I can live with that.

[evyck da fleet]

The only way I could advocate using a credit card to finance a hike would be to get an intro rate or zero percent and only for someone who was just out of school and had a good job lined up and would have to put off the hike until retirement otherwise. Enough qualifiers?

If that’s not the case the hike will cost substantially more possibly 2x or 3x depending on how long it takes to pay it off. I like these words of wisdom: if you can’t save up for the hike beforehand how are you going to pay it off when there’s interest on top off it.

[Dogwood]

Suze Orman says..."you're DENIED."

[Dogwood]

I plan on playing the stock market on trail lol..

Got two hundred bucks in my Ameritrade account.

Let's see if I can pay for my trip lol

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Laugh all you want. I grew $3000 in an Ameritrade Acct into $42k in 2 yrs.

I've met two different day traders on the AT who worked on their thru hikes who finance their lives and family(marriages, homes, cats trips, boats, etc) this way. Ifound out what one was doing by asking why he was on his device nearly every afternoon, incidently right around the bell closing time. Next morning in town he celebrated a big gain by offering to buy me b fast. When i asked and he told me how much he made on the one trade. I accepted. He showed me some of what he had been doing on trail for trades over b fast.

Thru hiking is not just about hiking.

[Dogwood]

I agree with most of the advice here, especially regarding making minimum payments on a high interest rate card. That's a ticket to a place you don't want to go. But, I would recommend carrying a credit card in addition to a debit card. Sometimes cards get corrupted when bank data is hacked, or if the card gets physically damaged and can't be read. It can take up to two weeks to get a replacement. It's always good to have a second method as a backup other than carrying large amounts of cash. I also prefer to use a credit card for hotels and rental cars and anybusiness I think might be sketchy, as holds on debit cards can tie up your bank account and if a problem arises credit card companies protect you better than debit cards with unauthorized charges.

This happened to me with a BOA checking acct the only card I was carrying on a Sheltowee Trace Thru hike. I sat in town with less than $20 in my wallet fir 4 days waiting v to receive a new debit card.

[fastfoxengineering]

Laugh all you want. I grew $3000 in an Ameritrade Acct into $42k in 2 yrs.

I've met two different day traders on the AT who worked on their thru hikes who finance their lives and family(marriages, homes, cats trips, boats, etc) this way. Ifound out what one was doing by asking why he was on his device nearly every afternoon, incidently right around the bell closing time. Next morning in town he celebrated a big gain by offering to buy me b fast. When i asked and he told me how much he made on the one trade. I accepted. He showed me some of what he had been doing on trail for trades over b fast.

Thru hiking is not just about hiking.I'll report back with how I do.

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[Dogwood]

My debit card was corrupted through a purchase at Target along with something like a million other Target customers who used various cards.

[Thefurther]

dude , this is the rules of life i live by " if i cannot buy it with cash i do not get it or do it " wait and be patient and it will work itself out . if you want something bad enough you can get it you just have to bust balls to do it . racking up a bill is probably not the answer . the trail is going no where and will wait for you to come here and hike . hike safely man ... peace

[Berserker]

I agree 100% with those that have stated using a credit card is fine if you have the money to pay off the total balance every month. This is what I do, and I periodically get cash back and occasionally use points to fly (I don't like to fly unless absolutely necessary). Using a credit card for everything can be dangerous if you don't have the will power to control your purchases though, so you should come up with a monthly budget and stick to that. It took my wife and I a while (multiple years) to work out all the kinks on this, but now it's rolling along nicely. Also, another plug for Dave Ramsey (at least his getting out of debt portion of his program) and Mr. Money Mustache.

[Berserker]

Ever since my debit card was hacked 4 years ago or so, I always use a credit card.


My debit card was corrupted through a purchase at Target along with something like a million other Target customers who used various cards.
Just to throw something out here in case no one has thought of it, one way to minimize the risk with a debit card is to use a bank that allows you to open multiple accounts. Then you use one account for your debit card that you keep very little money in where you can transfer money into it periodically as needed. Some may not want to do this because you usually have to keep a minimum amount of money with the bank that's fairly substantial, but if you already do that then the multiple account thing is nice.

[AllDownhillFromHere]

Just to throw something out here in case no one has thought of it, one way to minimize the risk with a debit card is to use a bank that allows you to open multiple accounts. Then you use one account for your debit card that you keep very little money in where you can transfer money into it periodically as needed. Some may not want to do this because you usually have to keep a minimum amount of money with the bank that's fairly substantial, but if you already do that then the multiple account thing is nice.
That's a good idea, or open a separate account at a Credit Union, usually no fees or low fees.

[rocketsocks]

dude , this is the rules of life i live by " if i cannot buy it with cash i do not get it or do it " wait and be patient and it will work itself out . if you want something bad enough you can get it you just have to bust balls to do it . racking up a bill is probably not the answer . the trail is going no where and will wait for you to come here and hike . hike safely man ... peacethis ^^^^^^^^^

[rickb]

this ^^^^^^^^^
For the most part, but there are a whole lot of old folks that die with way too much money in the bank.

So it’s important not to waste time and opportunities as well.

That said, I do agree with you and all the other smart people in this thread more so than not.

Unless you run out of money a few hundred miles from Katahdin or Springer.

Then charge, charge away!

[rickb]

FWIW, I am waiting for my free card from Amazon Prime Members — with 5% off on every Amazon purchase and everything at Whole Foods I am excited about changing my way to riches :)

[MuddyWaters]

For the most part, but there are a whole lot of old folks that die with way too much money in the bank.

So it’s important not to waste time and opportunities as well.

!

Better to die with too much than be burden on your kids.

Don't think old age comes cheap, or that medicare pays for much. You better plan on having money, and lots of it.

That or hope you die suddenly, in good health.

My dad died with over 1 million in bills, way past maxing out medcare AND supplemental insurance.

Modern medicine keeps sick people alive longer than they should, and profits from it.

Before you think that kids aren't responsible for parents bills......you better check the laws of state you live in.

In some...no they aren't. But in some they are, and in some they are as long as can be paid out of what a court decides is "discretionary" income.

[Dogwood]

Thx Bererker.

FWIW, I think the Target hack involved not only debit card but also credit card info. Good to note the potential added protections of using a credit verse debit card.

[Coffee]

It's kind of crazy to plan to die with zero dollars in the bank. Need to plan for negative scenarios (all of which take $$$ to live through in comfort). By definition, that means dying with quite a bit of money if you're fortunate enough to never encounter those negative scenarios.

[Dan Roper]

I'm only admitted to practice law in one state (Georgia), but I'd be shocked if the children are held liable for the debts of parents in any state. Of course, creditors may recover against a deceased person's assets, thus reducing or eliminating what otherwise might've been inherited by the children.

[MuddyWaters]

I'm only admitted to practice law in one state (Georgia), but I'd be shocked if the children are held liable for the debts of parents in any state. Of course, creditors may recover against a deceased person's assets, thus reducing or eliminating what otherwise might've been inherited by the children.

More than half the states have filial responsibility laws.
Not always enforced

Enforced in PA in recent years.

When you sign to admit someone to nursing home, it medical facility, you typically signing contract to pay also.

Get power of attorney, and sign for them, not as yourself, is a must. You need to do this well before it's ever needed. By the time you need it, it's too late to get it.

[Dan Roper]

That's a different matter altogether. If a child co-signs a contract (nursing home, credit card, car, whatever) with a parent, then that's as much the child's obligation as the parent's.

But a child is not liable for a debt solely incurred by the parent.

[MuddyWaters]

That's a different matter altogether. If a child co-signs a contract (nursing home, credit card, car, whatever) with a parent, then that's as much the child's obligation as the parent's.

But a child is not liable for a debt solely incurred by the parent.


Courtesy of Wikipedia:


Filial responsibility laws (filial support laws, filial piety laws) are laws that impose a duty upon third parties, usually (but not always) adult children for the support of their impoverished parents or other relatives.[1] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-1) In some cases the duty is extended to other relatives. Such laws may be enforced by governmental or private entities and may be at the state or national level. While most filial responsibility laws contemplate civil enforcement, some include criminal penalties for adult children or close relatives who fail to provide for family members when challenged to do so. The key concept is impoverished, as there is no requirement that the parent be aged. For non-Western societies, the term "filial piety" has been applied to family responsibilities toward elders.
A “filial responsibility law” is not the same thing as the provision in United States federal law which requires a “lookback” of five years (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicaid#Five_year_"look-back") in the financial records of anyone applying for Medicaid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicaid) to ensure that the person did not give away assets in order to qualify for Medicaid.




History[edit (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Filial_responsibility_laws&action=edit&section=1)]

Filial support laws were an outgrowth of the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_for_the_Relief_of_the_Poor_1601).[2] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-2)[3] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-3)
At one time, as many as 45 U.S. states had statutes obligating an adult child to care for his or her parents. Some states repealed their filial support laws after Medicaid took a greater role in providing relief to elderly patients without means. Other states did not, and a large number of filial support laws remain dormant on the books.[4] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-4)
Generally, the media has not covered filial responsibility laws much, and there has not been the political will to see that they are enforced.[5] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-5) As of 2012, twenty-nine states[6] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-6)[7] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-7) have such laws on the books, and a few states require the potential support of grandparents or even siblings.
Support required[edit (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Filial_responsibility_laws&action=edit&section=2)]

Typically, these laws obligate adult children (or depending on the state, other family members) to pay for their indigent parents’/relatives' food, clothing, shelter and medical needs. Should the children fail to provide adequately, they allow nursing homes and government agencies to bring legal action to recover the cost of caring for the parents. Adult children can even go to jail in some states if they fail to provide filial support.[8] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-8)
States with filial responsibility laws[edit (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Filial_responsibility_laws&action=edit&section=3)]

Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada (Nevada law only addresses support of children and not support of parents. NRS Chapter 125B), New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia.
Source: Filial Responsibility: Can the Legal Duty to Support Our Parents Be Effectively Enforced? by Shannon Frank Edelstone, appearing in the Fall 2002 issue of the American Bar Association's Family Law Quarterly, 36 Fam. L.Q. 501 (2002). Lexic.com.[9] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-9)[10] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-10)
In addition, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico also has filial responsibility laws.
Trial case[edit (https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Filial_responsibility_laws&action=edit&section=4)]

In 2012, the media reported the case of John Pittas, whose mother had received care in a skilled nursing facility in Pennsylvania after an accident and then moved to Greece. The nursing home sued her son directly, before even trying to collect from Medicaid. A court in Pennsylvania ruled that the son must pay, according to the Pennsylvania filial responsibility law.[11] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filial_responsibility_laws#cite_note-11)[not in citation given (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability)]
See also

[Deacon]

So what did all that have to do with hiking?


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[AllDownhillFromHere]

So what did all that have to do with hiking?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Pretty sure the whole thing was a troll to get the usual suspects arguing.