Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Disney Grandson at Forefront of Arizona Reform

Forty-year-old Brad Lund is in the middle of a probate court battle in Maricopa County fighting against family members who are trying to take control of his life and money.

“We're fighting back, said Sherry Lund, Brad’s stepmother. “We're fighting for our son's rights.”

Brad's parents, Sherry and Bill Lund are fighting relatives who are trying to declare Brad "incapacitated" and take control of his money.

And Brad has a lot of it. He's the grandson of Walt Disney.

“I'm angry. Our lives have been devastated. The stress has been immense,” Sherry said.

The Lunds hired several attorneys to help Brad keep his money and continue living on his own.

One of those attorneys is Joel Sannes.

In November 2010, Sannes found himself at the center of a probate court controversy.

A judge ordered Sannes arrested for contempt of court because Sannes refused to answer a judge's questions about who the attorneys were that coordinated with him on one of their motions.

Sannes said that information fell under the attorney-client privilege.

A sheriff's deputy handcuffed him and took him to a holding cell.

“I've never been subject to any proceeding like this before. It was highly unusual,” Sannes said.

Brad has spent about a million dollars trying to stay out of probate court.

In addition to attorneys such as Joel Sannes, his family hired former state legislator turned lobbyist, Laura Knaperek, to try and change state law.

“It just appears that the court is a rubber stamp, that there really is no accountability there, and that they aren't holding folks accountable,” Knaperek said.

Knaperek's goal is to stop what she calls, "rampant financial exploitation and abuse" of vulnerable adults.

“They're taking all their money and they're left with nothing in their estates and the state then has to take care of these folks,” said Knaperek. “The reality is that the probate court is not doing its job.”

Full Article, Video, and Source:
Disney Grandson at Forefront of Arizona Reform

See Also:
Testimony Against HB2424

Testimony in Favor of HB2424

8 comments:

Thelma said...

NASGA is sorry that he got caught in the "meat grinder," but glad that he's leading the way to reform.

Connie said...

It takes a lot of courage to step up to the plate for other people. Thank you, Brad.

Janice said...

I saw the video of the attorney being handcuffed. Absolutely ridiculous. That judge should be disbarred, handcuffed, and taken to jail.

Hailey said...

Go HB2424!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Lund family. You are champions for this cause.

Anonymous said...

Applause and standing ovation to Brad, Sherry and Bill Lund (and all their supporters) for standing up and putting up a fierce fight against the dark side involved in the takeover of Brad's life.

Attorney Sannes wouldn't roll over, he stood for what is right standing up against the evil displayed in that courtroom.

That was not a court of law, that was an example of how probate courts, rogue courts allow wrongoing uder color of law.

The Disney name represents all that is good and right in the USA.

AS a young child, I grew up with the Mickey Mouse Club. I will never forget the first time I went to Disneyland in California with our young son even though that was back in 1976. I cried throughout the entire ride It's A Small World Afterall.....Thank you Disney family for making a difference. God Bless you!

Larry said...

They smell the Disney money and they'll do anything to get it. Watch your back, Brad.

Martha said...

All eyes and hopes are on Arizona and HB2424!