Zhang Jian, reporter Lei Qiang
Hefei Star News - Due to not receiving proper care, 80-year-old Mr. Li and his wife have for the third time filed a lawsuit against their children. Recently, through patient mediation by the Baohe District Court of Hefei City, this dispute has been properly resolved.
Mr. Li and his wife had two sons and one daughter, all of whom are now married and living separately. In 1998, due to financial hardship, Mr. Li and his wife sued their three children in court, demanding they fulfill their duty to support them. Afterwards, an agreement was reached: Mr. Li and his wife would live with their eldest son, Li Jia, while their second son, Li Yi, would pay 100 yuan per month for living expenses.
Subsequently, Mr. Li and his wife lived with Li Jia for seven years, then moved to live with Li Yi for three years. Due to conflicts with his second son's wife, Mr. Li and his wife moved out of Li Yi's home and once again sued their three children for failing to fulfill their duty of support. At that time, the three siblings reached a consensus: Mr. Li and his wife would be taken care of by their daughter, Li Bing, who would rent a place for them. Li Jia and Li Yi would pay rent and 200 yuan per month for living expenses.
As the years went by, Mr. Li’s health deteriorated. By the beginning of this year, while Mr. Li could still walk on his own, his wife Wang had become bedridden and unable to take care of herself. To care for them, their daughter Li Bing brought her parents to live in her old house. At this point, the living allowance provided by the two sons was barely enough to cover Mr. Li and his wife's needs. Recently, the couple once again took their children to court, demanding support.
After the trial, under the guidance of the judge, the three siblings reached an agreement: their parents would live with Li Bing, who would be responsible for their daily care. Each brother would pay 300 yuan per month as living expenses for their parents. If one parent were to pass away first, the monthly living expenses would reduce to 200 yuan. Future medical and funeral expenses would be equally divided among the three siblings. (The names in the article are pseudonyms.)