I have a 26 yr old daughter who has no stablity . She moves in with people that take advantage of her. She is mildly mentally handicapped with seizures she is afraid to stay by herself, I keep taking her in and get her finances straighten out and then she is off and running again , she needs some kind of structured envirement , I cannot afford attorney to help me , does any one have any suggestions or advice. Thank U Concerned Mother

Why does she leave your home in the first place? And would it be okay with you if she lives with you permanently?

Unless she has been proven unable to care for herself in court and had a guardian appointed, she is free to do what she wants.

There is nothing you can force her to do.

Fr. Chuck is right. Your daughter is an adult and unless you are her legally appointed guardian and/or her representative payee, there is not much you can do.

You say you cannot afford an attorney. Have you checked? When I need to file for guardianship for my youngest son, I met with an attorney who was willing to take payments.

Have you talked to Social Security about her finances? If you can prove to Social Security that she is mismanaging her funds, they can redetermine her case and require a representative payee.

What does she do during the day? Does she attend a sheltered workshop or is involved with an agency that has activities? Does she have a casemanager? Either through Social Services or the Human Services Department?

If she does, you could start there, although they may not talk to you, because of privacy/confidentiality concerns. But it is worth a try.

Good luck to you and your daughter.