Legal Question in Elder Law in Washington

My sister, 58, is becoming mentally unstable

She won't shower, smells like urine, is very overweight, dresses like a slob, she hordes things to the point of making a path from her refrigerator to the bedroom. She talks goofy calls my mother and I sometimes 6 times a day. She doesn't handle her money well at all. She is spending her money on diet pills and all kinds of stupid stuff off the internet, she won't get off the bed to take her dog out so there is crap all over her apartment. What can we do? Please help!


Asked on 5/12/08, 11:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Merry Kogut Key Peninsula Law

Re: My sister, 58, is becoming mentally unstable

There are two options. One is to contact Adult Protection Services at 1.800.ENDHARM and share your concerns. Your names will be kept anonymous.

The second option is to petition the court in her county for a guardianship. You can do this yourself with the forms online at the King County Clerk's Office or you can hire an attorney, such as myself, to do the work for you.

With a guardianship, you don't have to be the guardian yourself. You can have a professional appointed. It's up to you.

Best of luck. Let me know what you decide to do and how it works out.

Merry Kogut

[email protected]

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Answered on 5/13/08, 12:02 am


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