An estimates $2.6 billion dollars is stolen from the inform elderly. I'm only surprised that it's not more!

This is an excellent article. Thanks.

I picked up a book at the library that was so good I bought a copy to give to my parents. If you thought being neglected by your kids was bad, read about what can happen to you if a court forces an guardianship on you (or a relative) against your (their) will. Colluding judges, attorneys, etc working together to cut heirs out of the loop.

The Retirement Nightmare: How to Save Yourself from Your Heirs and Protectors : Involuntary Conservatorships and Guardianships (Golden Age Series) (Paperback)ISBN-10: 1573927961
by Diane G. Armstrong Ph.D.

"Armstrong notes that while people have become quite adept at estate planning (managing investments, minimizing taxes, and writing wills), most have not planned for physical or mental incapacity during their lifetime.  This is precisely what makes them vulnerable to "protective proceedings."  She recommends a series of legal documents be drafted including durable powers of attorney for finances and healthcare, a living trust, a living will and appointment in writing, ironically, a conservator or guardian.  This should protect you if despite your best efforts to avoid an involuntary proceeding, a judge decides that a guardianship is just what you need.

Armstrong's book included sample legal forms, state-by-state appendices, elderly resources and an extensive bibliography."

A link that might be useful:

www.retirementnightmare.com/feedback.htm

Good point about making sure you know the people at your bank and have safeguards in place to prevent just this sort of thing.

I hope they got the person trying to fleece this poor woman.

"Guardianship/Conservatorship is Bad for your health and wealth!

GOOD LAW �" GONE BAD!

The purpose of the law - known both as guardianship and conservatorship

is to “GUARD” and “CONSERVE”

* To GUARD “incapacitated” or “incompetent” people from harming themselves
* To CONSERVE their assets and property; and
* To prevent them from becoming a “public charge.”
BUT SOMETHING’S GONE TERRIBLY WRONG!

Over the years, a growing uncaring and unjust judicial system has helped convert guardianship/conservatorship from an appropriate law to one which, if misused, is damaging to the general public. At present, it operates to ensnare the most vulnerable people in a larger and larger trawling net, now including those merely physically "incapacitated"! It has become a feeding trough for unethical lawyers and other "fiduciaries" appointed by the courts to protect, but many of whom become nothing more than predators.

Wards, instead of being protected by the system, are victimized by it. Strangers are given total and absolute control of life, liberty, and property of their wards. Wards of the state lose all rights involving self-determination, including:

• the right to contract, including the right to choose a lawyer;
• the right to control their assets and make financial decisions;
• the right to remain in their own home and protect it from sale;
• the right to protect and enjoy their personal property;
• the right to choose where to live;
• the right to accept or refuse medical treatment, including psychotropic drugs;
• the right to decide their social environments and contacts;
• the right to assure prompt payment of taxes and liabilities;
• the right to vote;
• the right to drive;
• the right to marry; and
• the right to complain.

After being stripped of all their rights, wards are left defenseless and subject to exploitation by the very people chosen to protect them; they are now invisible and voiceless.

Uncaring/corrupt judges misuse the law and engage in blatant due process, civil/human rights violations. Victims aren’t always given notice of hearings at which their competence will be adjudicated, aren’t always allowed to attend, and often don’t have lawyers. If the court does appoint lawyers, often they are too closely affiliated with other professionals who make their living in this special area; and do not properly represent the victims’ interests. Corrupt judges do not apply the required evidentiary standards in making adjudications of incompetency, and frequently fail to obey the protective statutes, or include specific findings of fact.

Homes are sold to insiders at below market! Contents - family heirlooms, jewelry, photographs, etc. - disappear, either stolen outright or sold at auction. Estate assets are rapidly paid out to the fiduciaries in exorbitant "fees" and "commissions" until there is nothing left!

“Fiduciaries” are given power of life and death, burying their wards in nursing homes where they are kept chemically restrained with unnecessary and dangerous drugs; family members are denied any say in their care, and sometimes denied visitation, except under guard at their own expense!

Hard to believe this is happening in America? Believe it!

AND GUESS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE COURT-APPOINTED FIDUCIARIES TAKE EVERYTHING AND LEAVE THEIR WARDS WITH NOTHING? A shocking twist: the American Taxpayer, whom these statutes are supposed to protect, is actually now PAYING THE TAB FOR THEIR CONTINUED LIFELONG CARE UNDER MEDICAID while the people who are "licensed to steal" enjoy their unearned and unjust enrichment. INSTEAD OF PROTECTING THE PUBLIC INTEREST, GUARDIANSHIP HAS INDEED BECOME A BURDEN TO THE TAXPAYER!… an extremely ironic, costly, and appalling consequence of a good law gone bad! Some fiduciaries claim that what they're doing (while filling their pockets) is to "spend down" the assets specifically to qualify the ward for Medicaid! No way!!! That's not what the law intended!"

A link that might be useful:

National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse
www.stopguardianabuse.org/