Meeting essential needs
When a loved one is no longer able to meet his or her basic needs, the obligation to provide support requires certain family members to make a financial contribution. This assistance can take the form of :
- financing the cost of accommodation in an institution (EHPAD, retirement homes)
- payment of rent or home help
- covering food expenses
- medical care.
The people concerned
This obligation applies to direct family relationships and is reciprocal. It applies between :
- parents and children
- grandparents and grandchildren
- sons-in-law/daughters-in-law and parents-in-law (in this case, the obligation ends in the event of divorce, or if the spouse and children are deceased)
- adoptees and adoptive parents (with nuances depending on the type of adoption).
How to apply
The person in difficulty must prove that his or her resources are insufficient to live with dignity. Ideally, an amicable agreement sets the amount of assistance. In the event of disagreement, the family affairs judge may be called upon. The amount can be revised if the debtor's resources decrease or if the ascendant's needs change.