The law is working against Peg Mohn, of Bangor and her husband, Bob, who have been told to pay off the debts of their adult son, who died last year. (PAUL MUSCHICK, THE MORNING CALL)

“When their son died last year at age 47, Peg and Bob Mohn did what parents should do in such situations and took on the responsibility of raising their granddaughter.

“They don’t believe they should be responsible for paying their grown son’s unpaid bills, too, as a debt collector is pressuring them to do.

“They probably have no choice, though, because of a Colonial-era state law that gained new life following a Superior Court decision a few years ago confirming that in some instances, parents and their adult children are on the hook for each other’s debts.

“While other states have repealed their outdated filial support laws, Pennsylvania refuses to cut the cord.

“It means parents never truly may be empty nesters and instead could have their retirement nest eggs scrambled. The same goes for their kids, who never truly will be able to leave home behind.

“The Mohns, of Bangor, are facing bills of about $2,000. They’re in their 70s, their granddaughter is about to go to college, and this wasn’t in their budget.”

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