Milwaukee County v. Altstadt

The controlling statute is sec. 46.10. Liability for maintenance of a patient in specified public institutions is imposed by sub. (2) thereof upon the- — ■. . patient . . . and his property and estate, including his homestead, or the husband or wife of such patient and. their property or estates, including their homesteads, and in the case of a minor child the father or mother of the patient, and their property and estates, including their homesteads,

The same subsection also authorizes the state department of public welfare to—

“. . . bring action for the enforcement of such liability, except…