Laws, even popular and necessary ones, take some time to travel through the system. This fact became apparent again when Pennsylvania passed its version of a model uniform law for guardians with the jaw breaking title of the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act (UAGPPJA). The law will go into effect on Sept. 5, 2012.
In a model of cooperation, Pennsylvania’s law passed the House last year 196-0 and the Pennsylvania Senate this year 49-0. It was supported by the Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys (PAELA) to which I belong and by the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
I first wrote about the need for uniform guardianship laws on May 4, 2009. See www.dailylocal.com under search for Colliton and 2009. Why the law is important to average people is because one of the specific problems it deals with is the issue popularly referred to as “Granny snatching.”
Suppose, for instance, you apply for guardianship in Pennsylvania for your mother who has lived here all her life. Another relative or acquaintance, without your knowledge, signs her out of a personal care home or takes her from homeand makes arrangements to transport her out of state. That person files for guardianship in another state. Without a uniform act where each state recognizes the other state’s proceedings, the result could be a nightmare.
Full Article and Source:
COLLITON: ‘Anti-Granny Snatching’ Law Passed in Pa.
3 comments:
I'm sorry to see UAGPPJA pass in PA.
I agree. But my understanding of UAGPPJA is that if it doesn't pass in all 50 states, it's been a fruitless effort.
This is good news / bad news with every law or effort I fear there are more opportunities for lawyers to get more business. People need to keep in mind all final laws are scrutinized and approved by lawyers sorry lawyers but you do have an agenda and that agenda is income from every angle available and that is a concern to me.
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