India has a dedicated law requiring children to maintain their elderly parents, a fast eviction-style remedy against neglectful family members, and growing protection against elder abuse.

Right to maintenance from children/relatives

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 legally obligates children — and, if childless, relatives who'd inherit — to provide maintenance.

Right to revoke a bad-faith property transfer

If you transferred property to a child/relative expecting care that was never given, you can apply to have that transfer declared void.

Fast, tribunal-based process

Maintenance claims go before a Maintenance Tribunal, meant to resolve cases within 90 days, without needing a lawyer.

Right to protection from abuse and abandonment

Abandoning a senior citizen is a specific criminal offence, not just a moral failing.

Real-Life Scenarios

What actually happens, and what to do

Click a scenario to see the law, the exact steps, and who to call.

My children are refusing to support me — I need maintenance

The Situation

You're 60+ (or a parent unable to maintain yourself at any age) and your children or relatives who'd inherit your estate aren't providing support.

What The Law Says

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 lets you apply for maintenance from children or relatives before a Maintenance Tribunal (headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate) — a fast, low-cost process.

Senior Citizens Act, 2007

What To Do — Step By Step

Apply to the Maintenance Tribunal in your district — forms are usually available at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office, and many states offer online applications.
No lawyer is required — you can represent yourself or use an authorised representative.
The Tribunal is expected to decide within 90 days.
The maintenance amount is meant to be reasonable for basic needs, sometimes capped by state rules.

Who To Contact

Senior Citizen Helpline (Elder Line)

24x7 national helpline for information and support.

14567

Maintenance Tribunal

At the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office in your district.

Visit your local SDM office

I gave my property to my child expecting care, but I'm now neglected

The Situation

A common and painful pattern the law specifically anticipates.

What The Law Says

Section 23 of the 2007 Act lets a senior citizen have such a transfer declared void by the Tribunal if it was made on the condition of being cared for, and that condition wasn't fulfilled.

Sec. 23, Senior Citizens Act

What To Do — Step By Step

Apply to the Maintenance Tribunal to have the transfer declared void.
Gather any evidence of the understanding — family communication, or conditions mentioned in the gift deed.
You may be entitled to continue residing in the property while the case is decided.

I'm facing abuse, harassment, or abandonment

The Situation

Neglect or mistreatment by family members is a legal matter, not just a private one.

What The Law Says

Abandoning a senior citizen is a specific criminal offence under the 2007 Act, separate from broader BNS provisions on hurt, criminal intimidation, and cruelty that can also apply.

What To Do — Step By Step

Call the Senior Citizen Helpline 14567 (Elder Line, 24x7) for immediate support and guidance.
File a police complaint for abandonment or abuse.
Approach the Maintenance Tribunal for protective orders alongside any criminal case.

I have questions about my pension, EPS, or savings scheme

The Situation

Financial-rights questions specific to retirement.

What To Do — Step By Step

For government pensioners, use the Pensioners' Portal (pensionersportal.gov.in) for grievances.
For Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) issues, use the EPFO grievance portal.
For Senior Citizen Savings Scheme or bank issues, approach your bank first, then the RBI Ombudsman if unresolved.

Know The Law

The legal basis, in plain terms

Key provisions that apply here

Senior Citizens Act, 2007

Maintenance obligation on children/relatives, enforced through a fast Tribunal process.

Sec. 23, Senior Citizens Act

Voids property transfers made conditional on care that was never provided.

BNS provisions

Criminal liability for abandonment, hurt, and cruelty toward the elderly.

Income Tax Act provisions

Special tax benefits and exemptions for senior and super-senior citizens.

Landmark Cases

Court rulings that shaped this right

The precedents behind the plain-language explanations above.

S. Vanitha v. Deputy Commissioner, Bengaluru Urban District(2021) 15 SCC 730 — Clarified how a senior citizen's eviction remedy under the 2007 Act must be balanced against a daughter-in-law's residence rights under the Domestic Violence Act — neither law automatically overrides the other. Verify this case

Frequently Asked

Quick answers

Do I need a lawyer to apply to the Maintenance Tribunal?

No — the process is specifically designed to be accessible without one, though you may have someone represent you if you wish.

How much maintenance can I claim?

There's no single fixed national amount — the Tribunal decides based on your needs and the paying relative's capacity, with some states setting a monthly cap by rule.

Can grandchildren be made to pay maintenance too?

The law primarily targets children (including adopted/step-children) and, for childless seniors, relatives who'd inherit the estate — a grandchild's liability depends on specific circumstances and state rules.

What is the Senior Citizen Helpline number?

14567 (Elder Line) — a national, toll-free, 24x7 helpline for information, emotional support, and connecting you to police, legal, or medical help.

Can my parents evict my spouse and me from their house?

If they own the property, yes, through the Maintenance Tribunal — but courts have held this must be balanced against other protections (like a daughter-in-law's residence rights under domestic violence law) rather than being an automatic, one-sided remedy.

Do senior citizens get priority in courts and government offices?

Many courts, banks, and government offices do give priority handling/queue preference to senior citizens as a matter of policy, and several welfare schemes offer fee waivers or faster processing — check with the specific office.

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This page explains general Indian law for information purposes and is not legal advice. Laws, portal names, fees and helpline numbers change — please verify current details on the official government website linked above before taking action, and consult a qualified advocate for advice on your specific case.