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.

Terms Used In Indiana Code 10-17-9-13

  • Attachment: A procedure by which a person's property is seized to pay judgments levied by the court.
  • Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Garnishment: Generally, garnishment is a court proceeding in which a creditor asks a court to order a third party who owes money to the debtor or otherwise holds assets belonging to the debtor to turn over to the creditor any of the debtor
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • home: refers to the Indiana Veterans' Home. See Indiana Code 10-17-9-0.5
  • Judgment: means all final orders, decrees, and determinations in an action and all orders upon which executions may issue. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • Property: includes personal and real property. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
  • superintendent: refers to the superintendent of the Indiana Veterans' Home appointed under section 3. See Indiana Code 10-17-9-0.8
     (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.

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