Dear Harry: I am in the middle of a very sad situation. I have power of attorney over the assets of the daughter of a very close friend. She is on SS disability because of various mental problems. She is 23 years old. Her father recently died. His will left everything to her and made her the executor of his estate. I have contacted the bank where he had several CDs and got a first-class rebuff when I tried to stop her from spending money like water out of a sieve. They told me that the power I have covers only her money, not the money belonging to the estate. I am so afraid that she'll blow it all in a short period on expensive things she does not need to keep her living comfortably. She is also being encouraged by her cousins to spend lavishly on them. I think she has already used up almost one-quarter of the money from the CDs. I'm now worried that she'll sell or mortgage his house to continue her spree. Please help me to get things back on an even keel.

What Harry says: Sad is not an adequate word in this situation. It's so unfortunate that her father thought the power of attorney could accomplish his wishes. A good lawyer would have foreseen the problem you're facing and prevented it. For you to get control of the money, you will need a court order making you a kind of trustee or conservator. To save your own money on legal fees, contact the nearest office of Community Legal Services and the Philadelphia Bar Association (215-238-6300) for a lawyer who will assist you pro bono (without a fee). I hope you can accomplish this without any flak from her greedy cousins.

Write Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19130. Harry urges all his readers to give blood - contact the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE LIFE.