Bipolar Depression

My mom is mentally ill. I need help in trying to get power of attonery over her. She has been in and out of hospitals since I was prob. 18 but she has had these disorders since I was around 11 or 12.I just turned 40 in
dec. of 07.I really do fear for her safety and others!Does anyone or has anyone dealt with this??

Shelly,

My ex wife's sister has been going through proceeedings to get control of her financial affairs. The requirements for the proceedings vary from state to state. There are resources on the web explaining the process for many states. Google "mental health guardianship" or "mental health conservatorship" with your mother's state and you may find some information. In any case you will need an attorney in your mother's state to begin the proceedings. You are likely to need to be able to prove that she has done things in a mentally ill state that will harm herself financially or otherwise and that you need to be her caretaker. Some states require that the process be reviewed and renewed periodically - say every 90 or 180 days - and that an attorney explain your mother's rights to her. Your mother will have the legal right to challenge the process.

Best of luck

You can also ask your mother to willingly sign over power of attorney to you. Of course, she can revoke it at any time.

Going through the courts is the only other option -- a very lengthy and expensive one, especially if it is contested by your mother.

It would also help if you could contact a mental health social worker for your city or county and tell them about your problem. You will have to be very tenacious in finding the right department - it took me hours and hours to get one out to see my mother. Depending on the size of the city where you live, you may get an appointment right away or have to wait a month or more. The social worker would make an assessment with recommendations for you to follow. The city resources are there for you to use, it's just a "bitch" to figure out the maze of people and departments you need to go through to get help. They don't make it easy for you. Your local councilman's office may be a good place to start.

Good luck.