Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Davidson County public guardian charges lawyer fees just to run errands


Oreva Childs fought her mother's conservatorship: "This is the worst thing in life that anybody has to go through when they love somebody"

For Jeanan Mills Stuart, the public guardian for Davidson County, no job is too small.

Appointed to her post by the Metro Council, Stuart is charged with handling the affairs of people determined by the court as unable to care for themselves and without a suitable relative to step in.

But her practice of charging her lawyer fees for nonlegal tasks — bills paid directly out of her wards’ funds — has made her work at least twice as expensive as others’, according to a Tennessean review of court records.

At rates between $195 and $225 an hour, the costs for Stuart’s personal attention add up.

She billed five hours — $986 — to accompany one of her wards to a performance of Handel’s Messiah. She charged the same woman $1,282 to take her to Dillard’s, Walgreens and lunch, and for the same day, billed her $1,183 for a shopping trip to CoolSprings Galleria, according to a fee affidavit filed in court records.

At least twice, Stuart charged $400 to attend the funerals of her wards.

Full Article & Source: Davidson County public guardian charges lawyer fees just to run errands

14 comments:

Betty said...

I love that opening line that "no job is too small" for Jeanan Stuart. That sums it up.

Thank you, The Tennessean, for exposing this racket.

Anonymous said...

I know that name. Jeanan Mills Stuart was Ginger Franklin's conservator. And we all know what she did to Ginger Franklin.

kathy said...

If the judges, court monitor's, attorney's did something instead of letting this theft go on, this would not be happening everywhere!
guardianship needs reformed better yet abolished !

StandUp said...

I agree with Betty, thank you the Tennessean and reporter Wally Roche. Great job!

Anonymous said...

Guardian Jeanan Mills Stuart has found a gold mine! How many more is she scalloping? Probably all that are under her!

Anonymous said...

God bless this family. This is nothing but a Racket.

Anonymous said...

I feel so sad for this family, this video made me cry.

Thelma said...

Jeanan Mills Stuart and Judge Randy Kennedy are quite a team!

Mike said...

Getting rich off the backs of the helpless....sounds like Jeanan Mills Stuart is a real piece of work....

Finny said...

Got to love the sunshine of the media!

Mary Waddell said...

Going to the Messiah and charging $986 to her ward? Bet that guardian is singing "Alleluia."

B Inberg said...

Word of advice to the people of DAVIDSON COUNTY TENNESSEE:

Get out of Dodge as fast as you can.

You can see who will be appointing Jeanan Mills Stuart to your case if you have required assets kiss it all goodbye.

Big round of applause to those who have the courage to keep digging thank you Walter Roche, Jr.

Thank you Tennessean for your service to your community and those around the nation.

What happens in your area is happening in other states you can bet on that.

Enough already. How to get rid of this vermin? Protect yourselves the best you can now we're all one medical event or accident away from being protected by the biggest industry in our nation most likely worldwide: THE PROTECTION INDUSTRY.

Nothing to do about duty or caring no sireee it's all about the $.

Believe it and remember in 99.9% of the cases being declared of ward is a life sentence based on whatever is contained in the petition. Emergency? Well, we don't need a real emergency. We're all at risk. Beware and be aware.

texasprobatevictim said...

Texas can beat that, because we are the seedbed of guardianship abuse. The cartel pettifoggers even charge to open their "ward's" mail. As said. No job is too small.

Anonymous said...

B Inberg is right. No emergency is necessary. "Emergencies" are just a way of getting around the requirement to notify relatives of the impending takeover of the soul and assets of their loved one.