I am a 31-year-old female living in NC, and my dad, a 65-year-old male, lives in CA. I want to legally separate myself from him. Last year, I received calls from a law office about him, and I don’t want any consequences from his life (he is a non-tax paying citizen) and works under the table in legal and illegal ways. I don’t want to be responsible for him as he gets older. He won’t even be able to get Social Security because he hasn’t contributed anything to the system. What should I do?
What you’re asking doesn’t exist. You’re not responsible for his actions.
Maybe he’s dead and you’re a beneficiary.
Val said:
Maybe he’s dead and you’re a beneficiary.
There’s nothing to benefit. No assets.
Do you know why the law office was contacting you? Could it be he is naming you a beneficiary?
Vaughn said:
Do you know why the law office was contacting you? Could it be he is naming you a beneficiary?
No, they were trying to find him to serve him. He has no assets.
Vaughn said:
Do you know why the law office was contacting you? Could it be he is naming you a beneficiary?
No, they were trying to find him to serve him. He has no assets.
Ah, okay, I understand. Well, if you don’t know where he is, you can’t help them. I once had people looking for my ex, but I couldn’t give any useful info since I didn’t know his whereabouts.
If he’s in prison, they won’t charge you for his stay. 
At a minimum, you should consult a lawyer in CA.
I would suggest considering adult emancipation.
Wynn said:
I would suggest considering adult emancipation.
I searched for that but couldn’t find anything for adult children.
You are not a legal resident of the state where your father lives. As long as you’re not, you have no obligation to follow any laws that state may have. There’s nothing for you to do here. If a law office contacts you again, remind them you’re not a resident of their state, you have no contact with your father, and you have no legal obligation to him or the laws of a state you don’t live in. They are just fishing for a payout.
I’m not sure if CA can enforce its laws on you since you don’t live there.
For those wondering why you might be responsible for him:
From Keystone Law: California Family Code section 4400 states that an adult child must support a parent who is in need and unable to work.
Sorry, OP, I don’t know how you can detach yourself from that responsibility. A friend went through a lot with their abusive parent and looked into the requirements, which were tough, especially since they couldn’t prove the abuse from many years ago. Luckily, they managed to move their parent out of state where the available funds lasted longer.
@Dana
That code is probably unenforceable.
@Dana
How does California law apply to North Carolina?
Avery said:
@Dana
How does California law apply to North Carolina?
International shoe!
@Dana
Would getting adopted help you? An adult doesn’t need consent from a parent to get adopted. If anyone knows, please correct me!