by Teresa Roca
AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator is at risk of removal by a judge after the star suffered a debilitating stroke, The U.S. Sun has exclusively learned.
Frank’s friends filed an emergency appointment of a temporary guardian and conservator for the star on August 18, claiming his decision-making capacity is impaired after the July stroke at his home in Iowa.
The U.S. Sun has exclusively obtained court papers that reveal a “Notice of Delinquency for Conservatorships" was filed on June 2.
An inventory report was not filed by the due date of December 12, 2022.
The court papers read: “Failure to file the same within sixty (60) days from the date hereof will result in: (1) a report being made to the presiding judge (2) the fiduciary(ies) being subject to removal (3) a report being made to the Chief Judge of the Judicial District and the Administrator of the Judicial Branch, and (4) a report being made to the Committee on Professional Ethics and Conduct (which may result in disciplinary action being taken).”
According to the court filing, MidWestOne Bank is the conservator, while Frank’s friend, Chris Davis, is the guardian.
UNDER CONSERVATORSHIP
The U.S. Sun broke the news that the conservatorship was filed in August 2022.
The documents obtained by The U.S. Sun read: “Because of his stroke, Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety, or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur.
“Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning his own financial affairs.”
An exhibit was mentioned in the court papers from a doctor, allegedly confirming Frank does not have decisional capacity.
The legal papers continued: “Decisions must be made for Mr. Fritz’s care and placement while he continues to recover and receive treatment for his injuries.
“Appointment of a guardian and conservator is necessary to avoid immediate harm to him.”
The Petitioner requested a separate longtime friend of Frank’s, who has been assisting him in decision-making since the stroke, be his guardian.
The guardian will help Frank with his Crohn's disease treatment and continued physical therapy.
He will also help the former American Pickers star grocery shop, cook, and get him to any activity he feels up to doing.
FRANK'S FINANCES
MidWestOne Bank filed an Initial Plan that revealed Frank’s monthly expenses.
Frank spends $28,292 monthly on expenses, including $22,832 on in-home health care.
The health care alone will cost $273,984 yearly for the star.
The U.S. Sun recently obtained new photos of Frank’s property that show a wheelchair ramp has been built for him.
The wheelchair ramp could be seen around the back of the Le Claire, Iowa, house.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Frank has struggled with his health in recent months as The U.S. Sun has exclusively obtained four 911 calls placed from the house, resulting in Frank being rushed to the hospital.
On November 17, Frank’s caregiver called 911 because he was having a seizure.
She told the operator: “He just came home from inpatient rehab for a stroke. He just had a full-blown seizure, maybe more than one… He's been shaking.”
She then asked the operator if there is anything she can do to help him, as she was transferred to medical.
On December 7, another caregiver called 911 for elevated blood pressure.
She said on the call: “I have a 59-year-old stroke victim with elevated blood pressure.”
You could hear Frank moan in the background, as she could be heard telling him: “You have to go because your blood pressure is too high."
He responded: "Oh."
In the final two calls, another caregiver called 911 on December 21 for possible pneumonia.
Frank’s guardian then called the next day.
He said in the call: "I'm going to need an ambulance to take someone to the hospital because I think they have pneumonia. I'm the guardian. He's handicapped. He's wheelchair bound."
FRANK'S FIRING
Frank last appeared on American Pickers during a March 2020 episode, as he took time off to recover from back surgery, which left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
During his time off the show, Frank lost 65 pounds.
He also told The U.S. Sun that he entered rehab for alcohol addiction in Iowa for 77 days.
Frank revealed his feud with co-star Mike during the 2021 interview with The U.S. Sun.
Frank said: “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.
"The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much.
"That’s fine. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the frontman. I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem.”
He even admitted: “I think Mike wants to get his brother Robbie in there to replace me. I don’t know why he’s behaving like that towards me."
FRIENDS AGAIN
But a friend told The Quad-City Times that Frank and Mike had a tearful reunion over Memorial Day Weekend.
The pal said: "This was not a feud between Mike and Frank at all. They were not feuding. They needed separation to appreciate each other."
The friend explained that the longtime buddies' relationship became tense after 11 seasons of working 10-hour days, seven days a week on the reality TV show.
She informed the newspaper that Mike and Frank were both in tears during their long-awaited reunion.
The friend disclosed: "Both were crying," before adding that: “Mike brought up how nervous they both were to be going on David Letterman, which was one of their first big appearances."
Mike told his former co-star: "Nobody can replace you, Frank," while admitting that it was Frank’s "uniquely funny personality" that contributed to them working so well together for the 11 years they spent making the show.
The arrangements were made after Frank told the friend: "I need to talk to Mike,” so she called the TV personality on Mother's Day to make the plans.
The insider ended: "Mike really stressed all the good times they had before the show and during the show.
"Mike did say he’d like Frank back on the show, but Frank is focused on his health."
Full Article & Source:
CONSERVATOR CHAOS American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s conservator at risk of removal by judge after star suffers debilitating stroke
Frank Fritz, of 'American Pickers,' under guardianship after stroke
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