Legal Question in Family Law in Connecticut

Our sister was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia last September. She was forced to retire at the end of June 08. This diasese has affected her communication and reasoning skills. Our problem is our brother in law who refuses our repeated requests to get her a home health aide who could help regulate her meds, make sure she gets a balance diet, etc. and a cleaning professional. We are appalled at how she is living, the inside of the house should be comdemed. So far he has been letting us see her and take her with us when and where ever we go but has pretty much told us to mind our own business as far as the her home life goes. I guess my question is: What rights if any do we have with getting her professional help we feel she needs? Would our only options now be to connect our state's social services (which he has said for us to do) or go for a conservator positon?


Asked on 1/08/10, 9:47 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
John Heffernan Heffernan Legal Group, LLP

Your best bet is Protective Services for the Elderly. Most towns have such a department (06119 is West Hartford, but I can't tell if that is where she resides. WH has a good dept). If bro-in-law is letting the condition of the house deteriorate, maybe he needs help, too. You don't really have any legal rights and you can't apply for a conservatorship without having a licensed physician, who has seen her within 30 days, complete a form which gives his opinion that she is incapable of handling her affairs.

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Answered on 1/13/10, 10:22 am
Linda Subbloie Linda A. Subbloie, Esq.

If she is having problems with her communication and reasoning skills, then a conservatorship may be appropriate. You should file an application with the probate court in the town where she lives and request that one of you be appointed her conservator. Obviously, your brother-in-law is not capable of managing her affairs.

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Answered on 1/13/10, 10:26 am


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