§9-5-9 Liability of relatives for support. - West Virginia Statutes

§9-5-9. Liability of relatives for support.
The relatives of an indigent person, who are of sufficient ability, shall be liable to support such person in the manner required by the department of welfare and to pay the expenses of burial when he dies, in the following order:

(1) The children.

(2) The father.

(3) The brothers and sisters.

(4) The mother.

The commissioner may proceed by motion in the circuit court of the county in which the indigent person may be, against one or more of the relatives liable.

If a relative so liable does not reside in this state and has no estate or debts due him within the state by means of which the liability can be enforced against him, the other relatives shall be liable as provided by this section, but a relative shall not be compelled to receive the indigent person in his own home.

If it appears that a relative liable for the support of an indigent person is unable wholly to support him, but is able to contribute toward his support, the court may assess upon the relative the proportion which he shall be required to contribute either to the past expense incurred by the department of welfare or to the future support. The court may assess the residue upon the relatives in the order of their liability.

Payment with interest and costs may be enforced by execution.