My daughter was in a major car accident where her leg was injured.She has a huge scar.Her lawyer settled for $80,000(before his pay).Now he says my daughter can't use the money till she is 18.She is mentally disabled,she is bipolar,schizophrenic and mildly retarded.I will be taking care of her in her adult years.My question is-How do I fight to get her money now so I can use it for her? because she won't be able to take care of herself now or at 18.We live in Hertford,N.C.

Thank You,Mary

This is her leg two years ago.She is now 11.

You need to find out how the money was given-- if it was part of a settlement fund, a cash settlement, etc.... Your attorney needs to provide you with more information about the settlement because if you are the child's legal guardian and she receives money, it should go to you as her legal guardian and not put on hold until the child is 18 years old when she needs the money now. It seems more probable the money is to be in a fund for the child's medical care costs, etc....Also, what about medical payments being covered because you may need more than $80,000 less attorney fees for medical treatment and possibly surgery someday. I question your attorney's settlement and skill in settlement. I tend to believe there is more to this settlement than you mention and more to it than what you were told.

Have you demanded the money from the attorney? Where's the money? Is it in a bank account? Where? In trust? Where? Who is the trustee?