Legal Question in Elder Law in South Carolina

My 78 year-old mother in law, falls daily, drinks alcohol with narcotic pain meds and benzodiazepines, fails to keep doctor's appointments, is getting more and more forgetful, manipulative, argumentative and stubborn, and won't hire help or go to assisted living (which she CAN afford to do) and sees no need to make a health care power of attorney, living will, or durable power of attorney(before she's totally not of sound mind and capable of assigning these). (Both her mother and grandmother suffered from Senile Dementia). Is there any way we can get adult protective services to get involved with her self-care deficit, as we are afraid that she'll end up breaking a hip, and my husband is afraid to leave town with her alone, and can't devote his full attention to our family and his business. We're also afraid she's going to try to drive as she has a car in her driveway, supposedly for security, and for people to take her places). (She and I have the same PCP and I could talk to her/our doctor.) She has a cell phone and a life alert pendant, but refuses to use them. My husbands only brother lives 9 hours away. Help, what can we do? We are expecting a new baby any time and the stress she is causing us, esp my husband is unreal. Thanks in advance, SG, South Carolina


Asked on 9/20/10, 12:45 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

John Jackson Law Office of John A. Jackson, P.C.

File for a conservator and guardian to make decisions for her. If you like call my office to schedule a consultation.

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Answered on 9/27/10, 6:44 am


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