Buzz Aldrin Fighting Son Over Control of His Money in Nasty Family Battle

Buzz Aldrin is at war with his own son over access to his bank accounts, and now he has been unable to touch his own money until the court makes a decision on who can touch the cash.

According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Buzz and his son Andrew Aldrin are battling over control of the famed astronaut’s bank accounts.Morgan Stanley filed court docs in the ongoing battle between Buzz and two of his kids pleading for the courts help. They claim to be receiving conflicting instructions on how to handle Buzz’s money held in two accounts with them.


Buzz Aldrin

The accounts are held in Buzz’s trusts and his son previously was the trustee of the trust, before his father filed to revoke it.

Since the lawsuit was filed Morgan Stanley claims to have been given “contrary directions relating to distribution of the Accounts from the attorneys for Buzz Aldrin and the attorneys for Andrew Aldrin, as Trustee, respectively.”

They claim earlier this month Andrew’s lawyer instructed them not to transfer any money out of the accounts. Days later they were contacted by Buzz’s lawyer directing them to transfer money out of the accounts to Buzz Aldrin.

Morgan Stanley says they are ready to transfer the money to whoever but don’t want to send it to the wrong person. They are asking the court to step in and help figure out who will get the cash.

Last year, Buzz sued his kids accusing them of misusing his credit cards and transferring money out of his accounts without permission.

Aldrin claims his son Andrew does not tell him about pending or future business transactions, removed large sums of money from his accounts, and continues to represent him in business and social capacities despite his repeated requests to stop.

Aldrin asked a judge to remove Andrew Aldrin as his trustee and strip him of control of his financial affairs, social media accounts, and several nonprofit and business enterprises.

He also claims his daughter Janice used his credit cards without permission. Buzz alleged that Andrew and his former business manager slandered him by claiming he suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s.Buzz noted his children filed a petition recently claiming he was suffering from memory loss, delusions, paranoia, and confusion.

They are asking the court to review the records and rely on the reports as evidence in this case. They are asking for Buzz’s lawsuit to be stayed until the outcome of Incapacity Proceedings they filed against their dad.

In October, Buzz’s lawyer even filed documents seeking to drop his client and cease representing him. The case is ongoing.

Full Article & Source:
Buzz Aldrin Fighting Son Over Control of His Money in Nasty Family Battle

See Also:
WALKING ON THE MOON DOES NOT KEEP YOU FROM AGING
 

Lessons From Buzz Aldrin Guardianship: Twin Filings Put Focus on Abuse 

WALING ON THE MOON DOES NOT KEEP YOU FROM AGING

 

Buzz Aldrin lawsuit shows need to plan for aging parents 

NEW WRINKLES: A man on the moon, brought down to earth

Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin sues his family alleging fraud   

WALKING ON THE MOON DOES NOT KEEP YOU FROM AGING

Posted on August 15, 2018 by H. Frances Reaves

 

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, is 88 years old and has met his fourth wife.  The bad news, the kids don’t like her.  

Here’s what we know from media reports; Dr. Aldrin has sued two of his (3) children and his former manager.  Two children, Andy and Jan, had asked a court to name them as guardians citing his loss of cognitive function and dementia. Warrior that he is, Colonel Aldrin (ret) came out fighting!  He sued the kids, claimed they had transferred monies from his foundation for their personal use and used his credit cards without his permission and sabotaged his love life.  He made an appearance on Good Morning America excoriating his children and accused them of exploiting the elderly.  

The  ousted manager, Christina Korp, states that “almost a year ago, some people began to exert undue influence on Buzz.  These individuals began to actively try to drive a wedge between Buzz, his children and me, for what I fear is their own benefit.”  Her  argument is that because he has dementia he is vulnerable to manipulation.

My argument is that the kids and manager he is suing are doing exactly the same thing.  This ‘fight’ is about who gets to manipulate Colonel Aldrin.  His estate is valued at approximately $12 million. The two children are paid by the Aldrin foundation, as was the former manager. 

Lisa LaBonte met Buzz Aldrin because of their shared interest in STEM education (Science, Technology, Electronics, Mathematics).   She works for Carnegie Ventures and because of Colonel Aldrin’s work has become a part of his business life.  They are great friends.  

Colonel Aldrin also has a girlfriend (unnamed) and the relationship has blossomed into something more.  One can speculate as to her motive but the same can be said for the kids and former manager.  Further, If Buzz Aldrin is happy  . . . who cares?  Doesn’t  he deserve it?

All of this will be solved fairly soon as the “mental health’ tests have been administered and the Courts will review the three different opinions.  I’m only sad that a man who gave his life to service for our country (his children did not) has to defend his honor.  The children did nothing for the $12 million but now feel as though its theirs to protect.  I say, Buzz Aldrin’s life speaks for itself.  Good for him making a last stand – no matter what the outcome!

Full Article & Source:
WALKING ON THE MOON DOES NOT KEEP YOU FROM AGING

Lessons From Buzz Aldrin Guardianship: Twin Filings Put Focus on Abuse

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon

Buzz Aldrin was the second person to set foot on the moon’s surface and only 12 people have set foot there. But now he is one of an estimated one and a half million adults who are the subject of guardianship proceedings in the United States. The guardianship case was filed in Brevard County, Florida, on May 30, by two of Aldrin’s three children and by his business manager. Aldrin has vigorously opposed the proceeding and in response filed a separate action charging them with breach of fiduciary duty; exploitation of the elderly; constructive fraud; unjust enrichment; undue influence, conversion and conspiracy.

It is not possible at this time to assess the strength of the allegations of the guardianship or the verified complaint filed in response. The guardianship file is sealed and the responsive suit is a public record so only one side of the case is revealed. In addition, these cases have only been recently filed and it is too early to predict the outcome of either one. It is appropriate at this time however, to call attention to Aldrin’s response to the guardianship, suggesting that the best defense may be an offense.

The Florida Guardianship

Aldrin, age 88, has named his children to important position in the several interests he has created (Buzz Aldrin Enterprises, Inc; Buzz Aldrin Space Foundation, Inc.; Sharespace Foundation, Inc., Aldrin Space Institute and Aldrin Center for Entrepreneurship in Space) indicating a close familial relationship at one time. He has also named one of his sons as trustee of a revocable trust and agent under a power of attorney. But, similar to the fate of Shakespeare’s King Lear, it does not appear that the loving relationship has continued, resulting in the filing of a guardianship petition. It has been reported that within the guardianship petition is an allegation that Aldrin is “in cognitive decline.” There may also have been specific allegations that he suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Florida statutes require that within five days after a petition for determination of incapacity has been filed the court must appoint a three-member “examining committee.” One member of the committee must be a psychiatrist or other physician. The other two members of the committee must be either a psychologist, or gerontologist, or another psychiatrist or physician, or registered nurse, or nurse practitioner, or licensed social worker, or person with an advanced degree in gerontology from an accredited institution of higher learning or a person appointed at the discretion of the court. A comprehensive examination must be made of the alleged incapacitated person and it must include a physical examination, a mental health examination and a functional assessment. Each committee member must submit a written report.

Buzz Aldrin’s Response

The unusual aspect of this case is the response of Aldrin to the guardianship filing. Most subjects of a guardianship who disagree about the need for the court intervention present their defense in the original proceeding. In this case, Aldrin filed a separate action on June 7, against his children (and his business manager and several organizations with which he is associated). Aldrin’s verified complain paints a picture of a celebrity with the capacity to manage his own affairs who is being manipulated by his children and business manager for their own selfish ends. The specific language of the complaint alleges that the defendants:

“… have assumed control and access to the plaintiff’s personal credit cards, bank accounts, trust money, space memorabilia, space artifacts, social media accounts and all elements of the Buzz Aldrin brand.”

“… have been for the past number of years been slandering the plaintiff in public and/or to other individuals or small groups by stating the plaintiff has dementia and Alzheimer’s. The defendants have used this tactic to gain further control over the plaintiff’s personal relationships, business contacts and assets.”

“… have effectively established a de facto guardianship over the plaintiff.”

“… have forbidden the plaintiff to marry and specifically and deliberately have undermined bullied and defamed all of the plaintiff’s personal romantic relationships.”

He also charges defendants with exploitation of the elderly. “Plaintiff is a vulnerable adult, as defined by Florida Statutes and pursuant to Florida Statute Section 415.111, due to the plaintiff’s advanced age of 88 years. Defendant Andrew Aldrin, individually exploited the plaintiff by knowingly and through deception or intimidation deprived the plaintiff of his finances, property and knowledge of the plaintiff’s business affairs.”

Response of Defendants to Suit by Buzz Aldrin

It is noteworthy that in the case initiated by Aldrin, there is a motion by the defendants asking that the court take judicial notice of the reports from Dr. Margaret Rank, Carmal Morelli, RN and Marti Jo McCoy, LCSW. They are each identified as member of the “examining committee” in the separate guardianship case. The examining committee reports are described as confidential and therefore not attached to the motion. The fact that the defendants sought to have the court made aware of the examining committee reports is an indication that the defendants believe the reports contain matters that are favorable to their position and unfavorable to Aldrin. In addition, the defendants have filed a motion for a stay of the proceeding initiated by Aldrin pending the outcome of a ”… previously filed action to determine the capacity of the plaintiff.”

Conclusion

Aldrin joins a list of many well-known individuals who have been the subject of guardianship proceedings (Brooke Astor; Sumner Redstone; Glen Campbell; Mickey Rooney; Casey Kasem and Zsa Zsa Gabor). The proceeding was brought despite the fact that Aldrin had executed a power of attorney and revocable trust agreement, documents often thought to obviate the need for a guardianship. In the Aldrin case, as in many of the other high-profile guardianships, the proceeding is evidence of fractured family relationships.

The cases also demonstrate that no one is immune from the possibility of being the subject of a guardianship. Status alone or financial wealth alone or the use of inter-vivos estate planning documents alone is not enough to ensure that an older individual is insulated from a guardianship proceeding.

The twin filings in this case are a part of the current debate over whether the guardianship statutes are protecting the elderly from abuse or subjecting them to abuse. Once a rather unusual proceeding, the guardianship is now commonly a part of the trust and estates practice.

Full Article & Source:
Lessons From Buzz Aldrin Guardianship: Twin Filings Put Focus on Abuse

WALING ON THE MOON DOES NOT KEEP YOU FROM AGING

Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, is 88 years old and has met his fourth wife.  The bad news, the kids don’t like her.  

Here’s what we know from media reports; Dr. Aldrin has sued two of his (3) children and his former manager.  Two children, Andy and Jan, had asked a court to name them as guardians citing his loss of cognitive function and dementia. Warrior that he is, Colonel Aldrin (ret) came out fighting!  He sued the kids, claimed they had transferred monies from his foundation for their personal use and used his credit cards without his permission and sabotaged his love life.  He made an appearance on Good Morning America excoriating his children and accused them of exploiting the elderly.  

The  ousted manager, Christina Korp, states that “almost a year ago, some people began to exert undue influence on Buzz.  These individuals began to actively try to drive a wedge between Buzz, his children and me, for what I fear is their own benefit.”  Her  argument is that because he has dementia he is vulnerable to manipulation.

My argument is that the kids and manager he is suing are doing exactly the same thing.  This ‘fight’ is about who gets to manipulate Colonel Aldrin.  His estate is valued at approximately $12 million. The two children are paid by the Aldrin foundation, as was the former manager. 

Lisa LaBonte met Buzz Aldrin because of their shared interest in STEM education (Science, Technology, Electronics, Mathematics).   Apparently, the relationship has blossomed into something more.  One can speculate as to her motive but the same can be said for the kids and former manager.  Further, Ms. LaBonte works for a living and is not paid by the foundation.

All of this will be solved fairly soon as the “mental health’ tests have been administered and the Courts will review the three different opinions.  I’m only sad that a man who gave his life to service for our country (his children did not) has to defend his honor.  The children did nothing for the $12 million but now feel as though its theirs to protect.  I say, Buzz Aldrin’s life speaks for itself.  Good for him making a last stand – no matter what the outcome!

Full Article & Source:
WALING ON THE MOON DOES NOT KEEP YOU FROM AGING

Buzz Aldrin lawsuit shows need to plan for aging parents

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (News4Utah) - 88-year-old Astronaut Buzz Aldrin is suing two of his children and a former business manager over his finances and other control over other aspects of his life. The issue is highlighting why it's important for families to plan ahead for an aging parent.

Troy Wilson is an elder attorney in Salt Lake City. He notes cases like Buzz Aldrin's can be difficult because it can be hard to determine when someone has a deteriorating mental capacity.

"One of the challenges, when you're dealing with that, is when do you cross that line?" said Wilson. "When do you get to a point where you are no longer able to take care of your financial affairs."

In Aldrin's case, he's accusing his two children of improperly using finances, credit cards, and slander for suggesting he's suffering from dementia.

His children deny the claims in the lawsuit which was filed just weeks after they partitioned for partial guardianship of their father. Wilson notes any elderly person who doesn't feel they need it should contest it.

"If someone brings a guardianship case against you, and you think you do still have capacity, and you think it's not appropriate don't be afraid to push back," said Wilson.

In Utah, any elderly person who is being partitioned for guardianship must be supplied an attorney to make sure their rights are being protected. Wilson said he's been on both sides of these cases.

Having a plan in place of who you want to be a guardian can help, but Wilson admits it's not easy.

"It's tough, get your planning, get it in place," said Wilson. "Think carefully about who you want in place to take responsibility if you can't."

Experts suggest getting a 3rd party to take guardianship if you have multiple children, and they often disagree on a parent's care.

There are services online which can help people get the documents they need to take care of guardianship and planning. An attorney can also help someone do so through an estate plan. Wilson said people should get it done before it's needed.



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Buzz Aldrin lawsuit shows need to plan for aging parents

NEW WRINKLES: A man on the moon, brought down to earth

Nearly three decades of life in a retirement town have convinced me that there’s no age limit on romantic love — even the kind that can teleport you back to all the dizzying sensations of a seventh-grade crush.

I’ve seen couples settle down in their 80s with newly found soulmates, and live happily ever after. And I’ve seen formerly thoughtful and dignified elders lose their hearts and their fortunes to an engaging home health aide or ballroom dance instructor.

That’s love for you. And at first blush, if you’ll excuse the term, this seems to be what has happened in the case of the second human being ever to walk on the moon.

Unlike most of the elders I have met and written about who become ensnared in Florida’s guardianship system, former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, 88, appears to have received excellent legal advice on how to defend himself against two of his children who petitioned the state to declare him mentally incompetent. Not only did he obtain an independent cognitive assessment from a geriatric psychiatrist at the University of California Los Angeles — who described his abilities as “superior to normal” — but he also went on the offensive, filing a lawsuit in Brevard County against his own kin.

The younger Aldrins’ claim is that their father suffers from dementia, has fallen under the sway of false friends and is spending money at a ruinous rate. In return, he accuses two of his three offspring of seeking to control him “for their own self-dealing and enrichment.”

Under Florida law, adults deemed by a judge too frail or mentally compromised to make decisions for themselves can be stripped of their civil rights — unable to manage their own finances, to buy or sell property, to marry or divorce, even to vote.

Guardianship laws are necessary, especially in a state like Florida where elders can find themselves isolated and vulnerable in their later days. But the system that attempts to safeguard penniless wards is terribly underfunded, and the money to pay for attorneys and guardians has to come from somewhere. Often, as the Herald-Tribune showed in a series nearly four years ago, it comes from far wealthier wards whose life savings become a target of shiny new love interests, manipulative con artists or mercenary adult children.

The result is an adversarial courtroom drama where a judge has to decide, based on sadly skimpy evidence, who is telling the truth. The process is almost always demeaning and humiliating for the elder placed in the position of proving a negative — that he or she has not irretrievably lost his or her mind.

What’s so tough for the judge is that an elder such as Aldrin, even with a history of depression and divorces, is legally allowed to be a fool for love and act against his own best interests, regardless of how his family feels about it — as long as he can convince a court of his mental competence. We’re talking about the subtle but vital difference between illusion and delusion.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, it’s far too soon to rush to judgment regarding this particular moonwalker. But it’s hard not to be moved by a plea Aldrin’s attorney has already made in the court of public opinion:

″He’s 88 years old, but he still has something to contribute to this country and the world. He doesn’t want to be a Fabergé egg stuck up on the shelf.”

Full Article & Source:
NEW WRINKLES: A man on the moon, brought down to earth

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Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin sues his family alleging fraud

Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin sues his family alleging fraud

© JP Yim, Getty Images for Nick Graham

MELBOURNE, Fla. — Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin has launched a legal battle against his children and family foundation, accusing them of abusing his trust and finances nearly 50 years after his historic moon landing.

The 88-year-old Aldrin's children, in turn, say they fear he is a victim of manipulation by parties seeking to take advantage of his money and reputation.

In a civil suit filed this month in Brevard County Circuit Court, Aldrin, a Satellite Beach resident, claims his son, daughter and a former manager have misused credit cards, refused to disclose financial information and mismanaged social media accounts and other media obligations.

Aldrin further says they have slandered him, telling others that he has dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and have refused to let him marry and undermined romantic relationships.

The family and Buzz Aldrin Space Foundation “have used this tactic to gain further control over (Buzz Aldrin’s) personal relationships, business contacts, and assets,” the lawsuit states.

Aldrin also seeks to remove his son, Andy Aldrin, as the controlling trustee of his estate that oversees memorabilia worth millions of dollars.

Andy Aldrin is a former rocket company executive who also serves as the foundation’s president and director of the Aldrin Institute based at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne. Buzz Aldrin's daughter, Jan Aldrin, is a foundation board member. Buzz Aldrin is the foundation’s chairman, but does not oversee day-to-day operations.

The foundation, which is gearing up for an annual gala fundraiser July 21 at Kennedy Space Center, did not comment directly on the lawsuit Friday.

However, the foundation said in a statement that it has “concerns for (Buzz Aldrin’s) vulnerability to manipulation by other parties seeking to gain access to and control of foundation and personal resources.”

Those concerns were expressed this week after public questions arose about a surge of activity on Aldrin’s official Twitter account, after it had been dormant for six weeks.

One of the messages personally attacked Aldrin’s longtime manager, Christina Korp, of Winter Park, accusing her of “using Buzz’s voice and brand to self-promote/ promote her clients.”

Echoing the lawsuit filed June 7, the tweet said Aldrin had fired Korp, whom the lawsuit also accuses of fraud and other exploitation.

The family foundation said that was not true, and that Korp remains a board member with its full support.

The foundation also said someone else appeared to be speaking for Aldrin on his official Twitter account, @TheRealBuzz.

“We are not sure who is responsible for the tweet regarding Christina Korp, but we are confident Buzz did not write this," the foundation said in a statement.

Florida Tech, which houses the Aldrin Space Institute and Aldrin Center for Entrepreneurship in Space, also is a defendant in the case.

Identifying Buzz Aldrin as a “vulnerable adult” under Florida law, the lawsuit accuses Andy Aldrin of making “large sums of transactions monthly” from Buzz Aldrin’s accounts.

“The amounts are unknown in amount but substantial, potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars,” the suit states.

Robert Tourtelot, Buzz Aldrin’s lawyer, did not immediately respond to a call for comment.

The lawsuit reflects a rift that has divided the Apollo astronaut — who this week visited the White House for a National Space Council meeting — from his family in favor of a different management team.

The new team last month promised to unveil a new Aldrin initiative, the Human Spaceflight Institute, at Spaceport Houston located at Ellington Airport.

The planned May 22 press event was canceled without explanation. But on Friday, its spokesperson, Beverly Hills-based Edward Lozzi of Lozzi Media Services, said to stay tuned.

“We are going to be making a major announcement in the near future,” Lozzi told Florida Today.

Lozzi previously has represented celebrity clients, including Lou Ferrigno and Jon Voight, and served as a White House press aide under President George H.W. Bush, according to his website.

Aldrin’s new advisers have established a Los Angeles-based entity, Buzz Aldrin Ventures, that they say now represents his business interests.

The organization’s website says it is “Buzz’s overarching holding company charged with developing strategic projects and international joint ventures that further Buzz’s vision and legacy in addition to activities formerly undertaken by Buzz Aldrin Enterprises.”

The venture’s chief operating officer is Linn LeBlanc,who had previously worked as executive director for Buzz Aldrin’s Share Space Foundation, a major educational initiative run by the family foundation. Her involvement with Share Space ended in February 2017, according to LeBlanc’s LinkedIn page.

LeBlanc also previously served as executive director for more than a decade of the then Kennedy Space Center-based Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

Also involved with Aldrin, according to the online news site NASA Watch, is Lisa LaBonte, who once served as CEO of the United Arab Emirates-based Arab Youth Venture Foundation, which partnered with NASA on some education projects.

Aldrin’s family foundation says its mission is to promote STEM education, space exploration and Aldrin’s legacy. It reported net assets of about $240,000 in 2016, according to IRS documents.

“We are determined to protect Buzz’s personal reputation and professional legacy, while also protecting his ability to remain self-sustaining financially,” the foundation said.

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Legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin sues his family alleging fraud