Octomom Prevails

A child actors' advocacy group trying to have a guardian appointed to oversee the financial interests of octuplet mother Nadya Suleman was dealt another legal setback Friday when a state appeals court denied its request.

Suleman's attorney Jeff Czech confirmed his client won her appeal to overturn a lower court's ruling granting the appointment of a financial guardian.

"For now let me quote the court: This is an unprecedented, meritless effort by a stranger to a family to seek appointment of a guardian of the estates of the minor children," Czech said.

Gloria Allred, who represents former child actor Paul Petersen, president of a Minor Consideration, which is seeking to become the financial guardian of Suleman's 14 children, could not be immediately reached for comment.

Petersen's organization wants to oversee the financial interests of the children because he believes Suleman has a conflict of interest regarding her contract with Eyeworks UK Group Ltd. that allows the octuplets and their six older siblings to be featured on a reality show.

Full Article and Source:
Octomom Prevails in Case Against Child Actor's Group

See Also:
Octo-Guardianship?

No Social Services Investigation for Nadya Suleman

A California appeals court has ruled that octuplets mom Nadya Suleman will not face an investigation by Child Protective Services.

Suleman's attorney Jeff Czech says the Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled Wednesday to halt the investigation that was ordered by an Orange County Superior Court probate judge. The appeals court also ruled earlier this month that Suleman would not have to have a court-appointed guardian to oversee her children's finances.

Paul Peterson, an advocate for the fair treatment of children in show business, had filed a petition requesting the appointment of an independent guardian. Suleman then filed a motion challenging his right to file the petition.

Czech says Suleman is relieved over the ruling.

Source:
No Social Services Investigation for Nadya Suleman

See also:
Suleman Loses Court Battle

Suleman's Hearing

A Day After Fox Show, Octuplet's Mom Nadya Suleman in Court Over Money

Suleman Loses Court Battle

An Orange County judge ruled Friday that an advocacy group for child actors can move forward with its bid to get a guardian appointed to oversee the financial interests of Nadya Suleman's children.

Superior Court Judge Gerald Johnston denied Suleman's motion to dismiss the guardian petition submitted by former child actor Paul Petersen, president of A Minor Consideration.

Johnston did not comment on the merits of Petersen's petition, but wrote that California law does not require someone to be an "interested person" or "enjoy any type of relationship with the minor or minors named in the petition."

Johnston's ruling states: "As the paramount concern in guardianships is the best interests of children, the Legislature has not restricted the class of individuals who may petition seeking to protect those interests."

Full Article and Source:
Suleman Loses in Financial Guardian Ruling

More information:
Judge rules against "Octo-Mom" on child finances

See also:
Suleman's Hearing

Suleman's Hearing

Octomom Nadya Suleman will try to convince a judge that a guardian isn't needed to oversee the financial interests of her children.

Suleman filed a motion to dismiss an effort to appoint a guardian to oversee her children's financial interests.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Gerald Johnston appointed lawyer Norbert Bunt to serve as guardian over the octuplets' financial affairs. A state appellate court later stayed that decision, pending Thursday's hearing.

Paul Petersen and Gloria Allred say Suleman has exploited her octuplets for financial gain. She has countered that the two are suing just to promote themselves.

Full Article and Source:
Octomom To Argue For Financial Oversight Of Kids

See also:
A day after Fox show, octuplets' mom Nadya Suleman in court over money

Constitution Applies to Famous People Too

Last week it was reported by the AP that Petersen/Allred's case which was successful in the OC county superior court appointing a guardian ad litem had been overturned. Reuters and others jumped on the bandwagon to say it was only a temporary stay because her case to be heard on the 20th to dismiss the case altogether had not occurred yet.Well, turns out neither got it totally right.

The appeals court ruled that Suleman's Constitutional rights had been violated. AND, here's the most interesting part: On the 27th Petersen admitted he didn't have the evidence needed to have the court appoint a fiduciary guardian at the time, which is the reason why they changed their request to have a GAL appointed to do the work they THOUGHT needed to be done.

What were their thoughts based on? INTERNET ARTICLES. Yes, you read correctly.

Paul Petersen with Gloria Allred in tow filed a petition to have a guardian appointed over the octuplets solely due to the "evidence" they had garnered off the Internet. They didn't even take the time to obtain the authenticated contracts or "evidence". Apparently they went in there (as the appeals judge wrote) thinking they needed to be listened to because they had "evidence" and the court just better listen to them.

Here is an article in layman's terms:
http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/8mom081209.htm

Here is the actual appeals court ruling:
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/G042399.PDF

Hows that for an appeals court ruling concerning a prominent case being handled by "the most famous female attorney in the country"? (per her own bio on her own website)

Yes folks, our Constitution applies even to those who the gossip outlets, the Internet, and even Gloria Allred and Paul Petersen have attempted to lynch.

Glory be to our Constitution.

From a NASGA reader
Is Hammond or Isn't He?

Appeals Court Sides With Octomom

An appeals court has sided with octuplets' mother Nadya Suleman in her legal battle with a former child star over whether Suleman's 14 children should have an independent guardian to protect their finances.

The 4th District Court of Appeal stayed a lower court ruling siding with former Disney Mouseketeer Paul Petersen, who had taken Suleman to court over the issue. Last month, an Orange County judge agreed to appoint a guardian to examine the finances of the children.

Petersen, who is now an advocate for children in the entertainment industry, had alleged that video shot of Suleman's children violates a law aimed at protecting child entertainers from overwork. The suit seeks to create an independent trust for the children. Suleman said there was no need for a guardian.

Full Article and Source:
Octuplets' mother wins child labor case on appeal

More information:
Appeals court overturns Suleman octuplets guardian

See also:
Guardianship - Nadya Suleman

Is Hammond or Isn't He?

Conflicting reports by KFOX TV:

Famed Hollywood Attorney Gloria Allred wanted El Paso attorney Terry Hammond to serve as guardian for Nadya Suleman's eight children.

"Monday in an Orange County, Calif., courtroom, a hearing was held granting Hammond guardianship of the children."

Source:
Judge Appoints El Paso Attorney As Financial Guardian Of Nadya Suleman's Octuplets

Attorney Terry Hammond, who's also executive director of the National Guardianship Association, has been nominated to serve as a financial guardian for Nadya Suleman's eight babies.

"Hammond has not been appointed to that role by the judge in the case."

Monday, the judge appointed a separate independent counsel to look into the children's financial interests before deciding whether to appoint a permanent guardian something Suleman's attorneys said is not needed.

Source:
El Paso Attorney Nominated As Octomom's Financial Advisor

See also:
Judge Appoints Financial Guardian

Hammond To Serve As Guardian

Allred Nominates NGA Director

Judge Considering Permanent Guardian

Nadya “Octomom” Suleman signed a contract in May with production company Eyeworks for her family to star in a reality show. Production on the show has begun, but Suleman’s 14 children are currently being kept off camera while work permit issues are considered.

Meanwhile, an Orange County judge is considering whether a permanent financial guardian should be appointed to oversee the children’s earnings from the show (reportedly $250,000 over the next three years) and ensure that they are not exploited.

On Monday, a California judge appointed a lawyer to temporarily oversee the estate of the octuplets.

Suleman's lawyer said a hearing on guardianship is scheduled for Aug. 31 and that Suleman has a motion to dismiss the guardianship order set to be heard on Aug. 20“The appointment of a guardian most assuredly will affect the ability of Nadya to contract with a production company.”

Full Article and Source:
'Octomom' Nadya Suleman's upcoming reality show now in production, lawyer says

See also:
Suleman Guardianship

Hammond To Serve As Guardian

Famed Hollywood Attorney Gloria Allred wanted El Paso attorney Terry Hammond to serve as guardian for Nadya Suleman's eight children.

Monday in an Orange County, Calif., courtroom, a hearing was held granting Hammond guardianship of the children.

A petition was filed on behalf of a former child actor who is an advocate for kids in entertainment.

Paul Petersen said he wanted a guardian to ensure labor laws are followed and the money the babies earn is kept safe. That's the role Hammond will now play.

Hammond told KFOX last week there are a number of contractual arrangements being made by Suleman and her attorneys that don't protect the childrens' financial interests.

Full Article and Source:
Judge Appoints El Paso Attorney As Financial Guardian Of Nadya Suleman's Octuplets

Judge Appoints Financial Guardian

An Orange County judge has agreed to appoint a guardian to examine the finances of Octuplets mother Nadya Suleman's 14 children.

A child-labor activist has filed suit against Suleman in Orange County Superior Court, alleging that video shot of her children violates a law aimed at protecting child entertainers from overwork. The suit seeks to create an independent trust for the children.

Suleman said there was no need for a guardian.

Full Article and Source:
Judge appoints financial guardian for Octuplets mom Nadya Suleman's children

More information:
Nadya Suleman's octuplets receive court-ordered oversight for finances

Finance guardian for US octuplets

See also:
Allred Nominates NGA Director

Allred Nominates NGA Director

El Paso lawyer and guardianship specialist Terry Hammond has been nominated in a court petition to be the financial guardian for the octuplets delivered in January by Nadya Suleman, known to many as the Octomom.

The nomination came in a petiton for guardianship of a minor filed last month in an Orange County, Calif., superior court by Hollywood lawyer Gloria Allred and John Deily of Irvine, Ca., on behalf of former child actor Paul Peterson, who heads A Minor Consideration, a nonprofit dedicated to the protection of child actors and celebrities.

The first hearing on the petition is set for Monday.

Hammond, who specializes in elder law with with his wife, Stephanie Townsend Allalla, is a recognized authority on guardianships and has been executive director of the National Guardianship Association since 2006.

Full Article and Source:
El Paso lawyer Terry Hammond nominated as financial guardian for Octomom's 8

See also:
Legal Abuse of Octomom?

Gloria Allred Files Petition for Octo-Guardian

Legal Abuse of Octomom?

Gloria Allred has filed a petition in an Orange County Court, alleging that Nadya Suleman, the Octomom that most of us are quite tired of hearing about, is taking advantage of her spawn and raking in money without proper consideration of their interests.

Attorney Allred requests that the court appoint a guardian, and a separate theatrical agent, to ensure the Octo kids receive their share of any money earned by their fame.

The petition is filed on behalf of one Paul Petersen. Paul played young Jeff Stone on the Donna Reed Show. Mr. Peterson has made it his mission to ensure that other show biz kids get a fair shake.

What gives Paul Peterson the right to ask a California Court to stick it's nose into the affairs of Nadya Suleman and her children?

Full Article and Source:
Gloria Allred's Legal Abuse of Octomom

More information:
Octomom faces lawsuit for exploiting her kids

See also:
Gloria Allred Files Petition for Octo-Guardian

Gloria Allred Files Petition for Octo-Guardian

Gloria Allred's lawsuit that claims Nadya Suleman's eight infants need a conservator to safeguard their financial interests, now that Suleman appears closer to getting her own reality TV show. Octorazzi writer Raul Roa reports that Allred announced today she is also looking into securing a financial guardian for Suleman's six older children. She filed the petition in Orange County, where Suleman and her 14 children live.

Allred held the press conference in her L.A. office this morning. Joining her was former child actor Paul Petersen of The Donna Reed Show, who is president of A Minor Consideration, an advocacy group for child actors and workers. Allred filed the suit on behalf of Petersen's organization. City News Service quotes Allred's claim that Suleman can avoid a June 22 hearing if she voluntarily agrees to the financial guardianship of her eight youngest children.

Full Article and Source:
Allred Knows Best: Files Petition for Octo-Guardian



More information:
Suleman responds - sort of - to octuplet guardianship lawsuit

Suit filed to protect octuplets earnings, assets

Foster care for the octuplets

Allred, expert on all situations, says octuplets should go into foster care

Octomom taken to court to have guardian appointed for children