Family › Senior citizen neglected by children
Elderly parent being beaten at home
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Before anything elseCall 112 or Elderline 14567.
You can get help todayCall 112 if in danger, or Elderline 14567 for support. Police in many states have senior-citizen cells.
Make my own list — free, 2 minutes
Your situation
- Are you safe where you live? I am being abused or threatened
Where you stand
- Next step Apply to the Maintenance Tribunal; it should decide within 90 days.
Do these now
- Application to the Maintenance Tribunal (SDM office)
Starts the 90-day process — no lawyer is required. Where: SDM / tribunal office.
Papers to gather
- Age proof (Aadhaar, pension book or birth certificate)
The Act applies to parents and people 60+. - Proof of relationship to the children (birth certificates, ration card, family register)
Who can be ordered to pay. Where: Municipality, ration office. - List of monthly expenses with medical bills
Decides the amount. Where: Pharmacy and hospital bills. - What you know of their income, jobs, property
The tribunal looks at their means. Where: Your knowledge, salary info, property records. - Medical reports, photos, witnesses of neglect or abuse
Supports protection and eviction requests. Where: Doctors, neighbours.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- Gift deed or transfer document, and anything showing it was on condition of care — Needed to ask for the transfer to be declared void.
What the law says
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: the tribunal (usually the SDM) can order up to ₹10,000 a month and should decide within 90 days. A transfer of property made on condition of care can be declared void if the care is refused (Section 23). Maintenance can also be claimed before a magistrate under the BNSS, without that cap.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- Who should be supporting you?
- Did you give or transfer property to them?
- Do you have your own income?
Similar situations
- Son and daughter-in-law not looking after us
- Gave property to my son and now he threw me out
- Old parents have no income and children won’t pay
- Daughter refuses to support aged parents
Sources
- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
The full guide: My children or relatives are not looking after me (senior citizen / parent) · All situations