For love, legacy, or pay: legal and pecuniary aspects of family caregiving.

Abstract

Most caregiving and companionship provided by family members and friends to older individuals in home environments occurs because of the caregiver's feelings of ethical and emotional obligation and attachment. From a legal perspective, though, it might be ill-advised for an informal caregiver to admit such a motivation. Building on a recently published study of relevant litigation, this essay discusses changing cultural and legal aspects of family caregiving when there is some expectation of pay, property, or fuiture financial legacy in return for the caregiver's present work and sacrifices.