What to read before anyone signs.
Plain-language explanations of the parts of an assisted living agreement that most often surprise families.
An assisted living contract — the residency agreement — sets a resident's monthly cost, the services included, how fees can rise, and when either side can end the arrangement. There is no national standard form, so each guide below walks through a part of it in plain language, with the questions to ask.
Assisted Living Contract: What It Is and What to Check
The plain-language guide to the residency agreement itself.
Read →Assisted Living Contract Sample (with a free annotated PDF)
A free annotated sample PDF and a walkthrough of every section.
Read →Assisted Living Contract Checklist
What to read before you sign, section by section.
Read →Assisted Living Hidden and Additional Fees
The charges that sit outside the advertised base rent.
Read →Community Fees and Refund Language
What the one-time move-in fee covers, and what comes back.
Read →Assisted Living Rate Increases
How fees change over time, and what to model.
Read →Responsible-Party and Guarantor Clauses
What you're agreeing to when you sign for a parent.
Read →Move-Out and Discharge Terms
How the agreement ends — by your choice or theirs.
Read →Questions to Ask Before Signing an Assisted Living Agreement
The written questions that surface the real terms.
Read →Comparing Assisted Living Costs Between Communities
How to compare quotes that aren't built the same way.
Read →How to Get Out of an Assisted Living Contract
The notice to give, what you may owe, and how refunds work.
Read →Independent Living vs Assisted Living Contracts
How the two contracts differ — care, pricing, and entrance fees.
Read →These guides are educational and describe common contract language. They are not legal, medical, or financial advice. For a specific clause, read your own documents and, when appropriate, consult a qualified professional in your state.