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A few years ago my mom told me she was going to have a guardian. No one contacted me (I live in California and she is in Michigan). Then later I learned that to take her out of Michigan to California either to live or visit I would need to go to court. Since she is in Hospice, that won't happen now. But I did hear that this GAL has the last say? I have nothing. I can ask, but it is up to him and his firm. Why? I never consented to this. I never knew it was such a legal matter. I just thought when mom was first put in a guardianship program, it was just to address her current needs since I lived so far away, but that isn't so. What can I do now?. I am hoping to get her transferred to her original NH for Hospice care and closer to my cousin's so I can get to see her easily since I have no car here and have to depend on others for rides now.

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HI Karen. I don't know much about guardianship - hopefully others here will, but I can see that you are in a very difficult situation. As far as I know a guardian has complete power to make decisions for your mum. Are you able to discuss with the guardian your concern about having your mother closer to you? I hope you are able to arrange something so you can spend some time with your mother. Big (((((((((((hugs))))))))))) this must be very tough for you.
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Thank you emio. For the last 3 days I have left pertinent almost demanding messages for the guardian himself to call me. He has not. I had spoken to other members of the office staff, but never to him. Someone either my cousin, her husband, or other friends have driven me to the hospital and my cousin or her husband pick me up, but it is not close and considering a hospital was right across the street from her NH that would have worked out so much better and just easier for us, but I do get to see her everyday so far. Depending on the Michigan weather will depend on i I can continue to get here every day. So far just arctic air, but no snow mentioned. I think the fact of not knowing when is what is upsetting to me and my stomach all in knots.I am suppose to travel home to California on Saturday the 25th. I am going to call Spirit and see if they are of any help if I have to change flight plans. I don't think they have a compassionate rate and this could be harmful to me financially as I really do not have the funds to pay another fee to change my flight plans.
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Very difficult for you. t doesn't look like the guardian is very cooperative. Maybe the best thing you can do is spend as much time as you can with your mum. It looks Iike the rest is out of your hands. Hope you get some help if you need to change your plans. I know it is not easy. I was not there when my father died as I lived across the country, but was a few days before. I am glad I was able to be with him then for a bit. Sometimes we don't have great choices.
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Hello, I am a Guardian in NY. Guardians are not picked out of a hat here, they have to be fingerprinted and background checked. Family has to sign off agreeing to the person being appointed. The judge orders an independent evaluation of the patient to determine necessity. The guardian protects the Person and the Property of the individual and reports to the Surrogate's court on a regular basis. As for the Hospice placement, it would have to be recommended by an MD.
Moving her from Michigan to California would require an ambulance transport and would be ridiculously expensive and extremely hard on the patient. There is a good chance she would die during the ride. It's not realistic, wanting to do it reflects your grief, and I am so sorry, but it isn't going to happen.
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KarenRW, I wouldn't give up hope on the GAL. If by the last three days you're including Saturday and Sunday, it isn't that surprising that a lawyer hasn't returned your call - he's busy on fee-earning business, which you are not. I'm not being cynical, I'm just explaining the first reason that springs to mind for why he hasn't quickly got back to you.

Persist. If you have sound reasons for recommending the transfer from one local hospital to the hospice at her NH, and if he agrees that this would not be harmful to your mother, he may consent to the move (subject to medical approval, see PS above). His professional duty is to do the best thing for your mother; enabling her to see her daughter for as much time as possible has to be weighed against the risk of moving her. But he won't be setting out to avoid or block you - why would he?

Be polite, be firm, and listen to his reasons. If you're still getting no further than his office staff, explain the urgency to them but stay calm. Good luck, hope you get somewhere, and meanwhile make the most of your time with your mother.
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