Q: How do I start the process to be the person to make my mother's decisions? She is not mentally able to make decisions.
I am not able to care for her, and she is needing care daily whether it have to be 24/7 or just a person during the day. She has nothing, no home, and did receive SSI until she mentally couldn't remember to do her reviews, paperwork etc they won't allow me to speak for her. She need counseling/therapy for her mental help. I don't know where to start. She is only 52.
A: In order to make decisions for your mother, you will need to be appointed as her guardian, unless she has an existing power of attorney naming you as her attorney in fact. If she previously executed a power of attorney, you should have this reviewed to see what decisions you are able to make on her behalf. If there is no power of attorney, you should contact an attorney who handles guardianships, in order to begin the process.
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