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cdelva12 Asked April 2013

I need to become my mother's legal guardian, what do I need to do?

How can I become my mother legal guardianship? What do I need to do ? I have video tape of my mom's abuse at the nursing home where she lives and her legal guardian refused to respond back to me.

ferris1 Dec 2015
Show the tape to the police. Elder abuse is against the law.

nycmom Dec 2015
the one abusing my mother has the power of attorney, mom really afraid of her, she had her sign during a nursing home visit, under medications and dementia. Heart broken her other daughter.

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terrim Apr 2013
Make copies of the video. Go to the police and file a complaint and give them one as evidence. Get copies of their report and go to an attorney and have him or her file to have you made guardian. Make sure the attorney has a copy of the video. Tell both the police and attorney that you showed the video to the legal guardian who didn't care. Your attorney can file in court and will be able to show this evidence. I would also recommend giving copies and a complaint to the state department of human services.

ferris1 Apr 2013
You don't mention who the legal guardian is. I would start first with Adult Protective Services if the tape of abuse is in your possession. You can petition a Probate Court to look into the matters and appoint a guardian ad litem for your mother. It is curious her legal guardian is not taking this abuse more seriously. You didn't mention if you have the finances to hire an attorney, in which case you can consult your local legal aide attorneys. Best wishes.

Caregivercenter Apr 2013
Unfortunately, the police will do little to nothing. They don't have the authority. Because she is in a facility, the county/state Ombudsman's office handles complaints about maltreatment of nursing home residents. This may be within the Adult Protective Services department. The court process will take some time to get through. The judge could probably put in some sort of injunction temporarily to keep the current legal guardian from doing anything. Hope this helps.

gladimhere Apr 2013
Adult Protective Services in this are required to respond to a request for investigation within 72 hours, I think. If the request is for physical abuse, I would think they would respond much faster than that. Call the police and file a report since it is a weekend. It seems they would have to do something.

GASouthernBelle Apr 2013
I was told to go to probate court with this issue, but needed to have lawyer ready for court date. What if abuse has been so bad that my loved one may die before court date. I have seen a lawyer about this & have photos of bruises he advised me to take.

Should I just call the police when I come into nursing home & find inadequate care/abuse? Do they have authority to remove a resident immediately? Where would they send resident--the hospital?

Thanks for any help on this. The other answers have been helpful but I am still somewhat unsure what to do re a critical need.

birdfan Apr 2013
These are all good answers. The process of becoming a legal gardian takes time. Your attorney will file the papers for you, yet they may require an investigator to interview your mom and the people @ the facility to be sure the guardianship is warrented. You should not have a problem with this. Good luck!

gladimhere Apr 2013
Check with Adult Protective Services in your area. They may intervene without cost to you.

reindeermama Apr 2013
If nothing else...take this video to the court, to a judge, or the police. Usually a guardian is looked over or has to report to a judge that oversees them. I am sure the judge would take care of this. Also take the video to the Adult Protective Services. There are laws against abuse. The police could also help you, they usually have a officer that works with this. Crimes against the elderly, I mean. Please take action now.....what a horrible thing. You and your mother will be in my prayers.

ange02 Apr 2013
yes, you will need to talk with an attorney or to just get started with the info, your area Court clerks will be very helpful in talking with you.

TonyRovere Apr 2013
I agree with Maria. You need to go to court. Now, if you have issues with paying for the lawyer, you might try your local Office of the Aging.

They may be able to direct you to attorneys who will work pro-bono on a seniors behalf.

Maria17 Apr 2013
You will need a lawyer who is well familiar with the process and if your mother already has a legal guardian, you might want to go to an attorney who truly specializes in elder-care affairs.

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