Ward of the State?

abc123

Does anyone have knowledge/experience with making a loved one a ward of the state? Any information/facts  will be greatly appreciated. I am starting this thread in an attempt to help a new member here. 

Thank you.

Sincerely,

abc123

SusanB-dil

Googled - found this to be rather helpful:

https://legalbeagle.com/8716910-adult-ward-state.html

Don't know if it came through as a link - may have to copy/paste or someone can re-do.

Also - might want to check out what might be more specific to the state that the person lives in.  Could check with a lawyer...  This site even recommends that.  "It can be helpful to have an attorney walk you through the process of having someone become an adult ward of the state. This helps ensure that all important matters are handled correctly and that the requirements of your particular state are met."

abc - I believe i did see that mentioned...  hope this helps

terei

Each state has its own rules.  Google ‘adult ward of state (state name)’.  I believe a woman who

used to post had this done for her mother who would not allow her to help her when mother 

developed dementia but that was a couple years ago.

harshedbuzz

Hawaii Girl posted about this a couple of years ago. Good luck with the search function of this site- ugh.

What struck me were not only the number of hoops through which she had to jump but also the fact that when she finally prevailed legally that there was no mechanism in place to take over mom's care- she was in a sort of limbo rather like someone found guilty of a crime but sent home to await sentencing at a later date. 

It is very state specific and something that would require professional legal advice. 

I do have a friend who worked to get her son conserved by her state with an assigned guardian rather than herself. I don't know the particulars but I know she does still have control of certain trusts held for him. The young man has significant behavioral (OCD/anxiety), physical (T1D) and developmental challenges (Autism) despite a very high IQ and went through a phase of blaming his mom for everything. He is unable to take antipsychotic medications because of a rare side effect, so it was best he lived elsewhere. He's in a kind of board & care for medically fragile adults and his relationship with his mom has improved a great deal. 

HB

dayn2nite2

I remember Hawaii girl - the process she had to go through was exhausting and then when it was finished, HB is right - mom was kind of left in limbo and as far as I knew mom was left to her own devices, Hawaii Girl was moving back to California with her husband to try to recover her life (both had left jobs there to move to Hawaii and care for a very challenging mother) and had to just hope that eventually her mom would deteriorate or do something so an agency would step in and actively manage her.

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King Boo

While there may be very extreme circumstances where this is indicated, it is not going to have a great outcome for the PWD to become a folder on an overworked caseworker's computer or desk.

It's not really a strategy for care with the bureaucracy,  or anyone with a friend or family member who has any interest in them.

Similar to many Child Protective Services where kids are lost to follow up.

My elder law attorney cautioned against institutional executors (and they are paid well).  No interest in outcomes or estate preservation.

An overworked caseworker with hundreds of cases is unlikely to do the advocacy that is needed.  

abc123

I appreciate the information you all have shared. Thank you. I also remember Hawaii Girl, poor thing. I sure hope things worked out for her and her husband as well as her mother.

abc123

Dear Victoria, thank you for sharing that post! I wish I had even a small part of the computer skills you have!