Tuesday, June 23, 2009

When Court Intervenes

A woman, referred to as "Mary," didn't understand when her father was declared disabled and temporary guardianship was given to her brother, who she distrusts with her father's estate.

Mary: "Two doctors made the decision (of disability). Two visits, and they made testimony. A judge told us a criminal has more rights than a disabled person."

Mary said she thinks the Madison County Circuit Court, and the attorney it appointed, contributed to her father losing his rights to work, drive and testify on his own behalf.

Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder said attorneys are required to watch out for their elderly clients, even if loved ones do not agree with them. Crowder co-chairs the 3rd Judicial Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council.

Full Article and Source:
Courts may intervene in elder disputes

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mary is right not to understand. I wish she had read this Blog first - before the guardianship.

I am sure she'll learn a lot now, though.

Anonymous said...

I realize the experts are experts in their particular field, but family are experts too. They know their loved one thoroughly and should have as much credibility as the experts.

Anonymous said...

When court intervenes, that's usually the beginning of the nightmare.

Judge Barbara Crowder needs to rethink her statement - the wording paints the picture that the attorneys know more than the loved ones. They don't. Judge Crowder should rephrase and say that the attorneys need to work with the family.

Anonymous said...

The law provides a procedure that must be followed when declaring someone incompetent. Funny how this law is always ignored.