Elderly Ex-Judge Objects to Choice of Conservator

Retired Probate Judge Edward F. Casey, who only last month approved naming state Rep. Bill Bowles conservator of his estate, has abruptly reversed course.

The 85-year-old judge, who suffers from dementia, signed court papers objecting to having Bowles oversee his financial affairs.

Now, the legal impasse involving Attleboro City Councilor Kim Allard - the elderly judge's personal caretaker accused by Casey's family of taking advantage of him - will probably have to be resolved by a jurist outside of Bristol County.

Because of the potential for conflict of interest, a court employee said, it is unlikely that a judge of the Bristol County Probate Court will hear the case.

Casey is a former judge in the court and his son, John, is a sitting probate judge. The case would most likely be heard by a judge from another jurisdiction, possibly Plymouth County, the worker said.

Bowles, D-Attleboro, was appointed conservator for the estate of the elder Casey with the support of the judge's family.

Bowles and the family claimed that Allard was taking advantage of her relationship with the elderly judge.

Allard, also a long-time friend of the elder Casey, receives a $600 weekly salary for the judge's care and was given title to a $328,000 house on Slater Street signed over to her by the judge.

The next step will be a pretrial conference, court officials say.

[Casey's] filing was not accompanied by a statement giving reasons for the judge's objections and his abrupt turnabout.

According to a box checked on the appeal form, the elder Casey plans to file an affidavit within 30 days.

Full Article and Source:
Ex-judge Objects to Plans for Oversight

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Retired Judge Victimized