Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

Incompetent Older Adult

In 1999 I gave custody of my daughter to my mom so that I could join the military. No crim. or other probs., not even a traffic ticket. I now have jt. cust. and no $ to fight for full. My mom is now totally incompetent. Her house is dangerously filthy (maggots in the kitchen, bug eggs in food) my daughter's teeth are rotting, my mom has burned all of her clothes w/cigarettes and her hair is singed all over her head from it. She frequently passes out, sometimes 20+ times a day. She will not relinquish custody and is physically handicapped and even incapable of bathing my daughter as she can't get to the shower upstairs. I showed up to find my daughter filthy and my mother told me she hadn't bathed her in 2 weeks. My mother also has cancer, and believes that parasites are living inside of her and killing her. I find diatribes written to the president and other gov't officials about this. She is married, but her husband won't do anything to stop or clean the house, which is so full of trash that there are only small paths through the mess. I cannot afford an attorney, but I am MUCH more stable in all aspects. What can I do?


Asked on 3/20/08, 6:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Davidson Law Office of John A. Davidson

Re: Incompetent Older Adult

You should contact your local bar association or if you can not find then the state bar association they can refer you to either legal services or a modest means panel lawyer.

Given the urgency of the situation you should contact Children and Youth Service in your county. They have the power to remove a child from such conditions.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me. The initial consultation is free.

{John}

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Answered on 3/21/08, 8:47 am


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