The Schiavo case alerted America to abuse of power by the courts, and to the need for advance directives. But in today’s corrupt courts, even duly executed advance directives can be disregarded - when there is a lot of money to be made by the judge’s pals. The feeding frenzy has reached epidemic proportions around the country.
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, losing their freedom, property and their very lives, due to a lack of monitoring by the individual judges and court administrators, and further lack of oversight of the courts by state and federal legislatures.
Uncaring and 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 they will be judged, 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 these courts and cases and they don’t properly represent the victims’ interests. Corrupt judges do not apply the required evidentiary standards in making adjudications of incompetency.
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!
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, losing their freedom, property and their very lives, due to a lack of monitoring by the individual judges and court administrators, and further lack of oversight of the courts by state and federal legislatures.
Uncaring and 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 they will be judged, 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 these courts and cases and they don’t properly represent the victims’ interests. Corrupt judges do not apply the required evidentiary standards in making adjudications of incompetency.
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!
Written by a NASGA member.
