Now, Watts is speaking out about both the incident and the laws in Texas that refuse to recognize him as anything more than a good friend of a man he's loved for decades.According to Watts, the trouble began in July of 2011, when he called 911 because his partner, Heath, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago, seemed "swollen."
When Heath was finally admitted, his sister Carolyn Franks had Watts escorted out of the hospital, he said. A few weeks later, she filed for guardianship over Heath, a legal proceeding Watts said went on without his knowledge.
"I was never notified, never considered," Watts said. "There was no mention of me on the guardianship information."
Despite having power of attorney over Heath, Franks convinced the court to give her guardianship.
Arguing that Watts was neglectful, she put Heath in a nursing home and took possession of the couple's house, Watts said.
Full Article and Source:
Lon Watts, Texas Gay Man, Says Partner Jim Heath's Sister Forced Them Apart, Evicted Him
8 comments:
Horrible story.
It's a sad story indeed, but in this case the fact that they're a gay couple will work for them as the civil rights lawyers will be interested in fighting this battle.
Some states are moving towards gay marriage. Let's hope this story moves more legislators into action.
Yes, the gay issue might bring more attention to the case. Let's hope.
I agree with Wyatt in that gay couples will have more legal recourse than the non-gay victims. Well, whatever it takes to expose the out of control conservatorship / guardianship racket, so be it and I wish the litigants the very best in a successful conclusion where more victims are widowed females with children.
Please notice that all the statements Mr. Watts makes in this story are not verified by any independent reporting or otherwise confirmed by any outside source. They rely only on his word -- and because he says it doesn't mean it is true.
For all we know, his care of his partner was inadequate or neglectful. Undoubtedly there is another side of this, and we haven't heard it.
One red flag: From a practical standpoint, if he was caring well for his partner, why would the partner's family put an end to what was essentially free care? When they'll have to pay thousands $$ each month for nursing home care? Where I live it's something like $7,000 a month.
Just saying.
Anonymous, what is not mentioned here is that due to Jim's having a credit problem from identity left, Jim and Lon's house was put in his sister Carolyn's name. Jim gave Carolyn a $5,000 down payment and paid the monthly mortgage. He never thought she would screw him over, so didn't get a contract with her. So the house asset, while in reality is Jim's as he paid for it, legally is Carolyn's. Assuming he has no other assets, the state would pay for the nursing home, not Carolyn. The proceeds from the sale of the home went to Carolyn and the nursing home does not have access to those funds. Plus she put him in a crap nursing home. There is so much more to this story than is stated here. Search on the three names and you will find it.
I've known Lon and Jim since I was about 11-12 years old. Never have I seen 2 souls more dedicated to each other than these two men. It breaks my heart to find that they are going through this horrible ordeal!!!! It infuriates me that Jim's sister has alienated him from the one positive, loving, familiar presence that Jim has known for SOOOOO long!!!!! If she truly cared, she would have left them alone!!!!!
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