New Florida Law To Crack Down On Judicially-Sanctioned Guardianship Rackets That Bleed Money, Property From Incapacitated Seniors Awaits Governor's Signature

In Tallahassee, Florida, The Palm Beach Post reports:

• In the wake of numerous reports of abuse of incapacitated seniors by court-appointed professional guardians, the Florida House on Wednesday sent a bill to Gov. Rick Scott that for the first time would exert regulatory authority over a burgeoning industry that some critics dub “elder cleansing.”
  
  On the same day, protesters marched outside of the Palm Beach County Courthouse in Delray Beach, calling for judicial reform.
  
  The Legislature’s action follows media reports about professional guardians more interested in draining the savings of incapacitated seniors through fees for themselves and the cadre of elder law attorneys who represent them. The Palm Beach Post’s series Guardianship: A Broken Trust in January brought to public attention the role of the judiciary in guardianship of the elderly — many with dementia — who no longer can care for themselves.
  
  As a result, Palm Beach County Chief Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath transferred Circuit Judge Martin Colin out of the Probate & Guardianship Division. Colin’s wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Savitt, works as a professional guardian, compiling complaints from families of taking tens of thousands of dollars in fees without court approval. The chief judge required the south county judges to recuse themselves from her cases.(1)
  
  Under guardianships, seniors found by the court to be incapacitated often lose all legal rights to make decisions for themselves. When a family member is not available or they can’t agree on what to do, a judge can appoint professional guardians to make decisions on finances, medical care and housing for the senior.
  
  ***
  The bill, which passed the Senate on Feb. 2, has received support from advocate group Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship, Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida State Guardianship Association. Lawmakers appropriated more than $820,000 to fund it.
  
  Lidya Abramovici, a co-founder of the advocate organization, hailed the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice.
  
  “Now Florida is leading the push for reform in order to stop elderly abuse,” Abramovici said. “So many retirees that come to Florida need to feel safe that their estates are not going to dissipate in the hands of unscrupulous guardians and their representatives. At the same time, parents will not be separated from their families.”
  
  But Abramovici added that real reform will happen only when people committing a crime are prosecuted for financial abuse of the elderly.
  
  That was the same message of nearly 20 protesters — many of them seniors — in front of the Palm Beach County Courthouse in Delray Beach on Wednesday.
  
  Carrying signs that said “Jail 4 Judges” and “Guardianship is Big Business,” the protest was organized by Families Against Court Travesties’ Court Watch, which plans similar protests at the other two county courthouses. They handed out a flyer headed “Corruption, collusion and cronyism in PBC Courts.”
  
  The group included individuals protesting Colin and his wife, Savitt, who were featured in The Post’s series. Others had scarves over their faces because they said they have cases in front of Circuit Judge David French. French is a friend of Colin’s who was also featured in The Post’s investigative series.
  
  “I think it is about time that it is being exposed,” protester Gloria Stein said. “I’ve sat in many a courtroom and seen the judges just sign every paper for every request for every appointed professional for fees. No questions. It’s all about the money and the families sit there and cry because everything is out of their hands.”
  
  Nearby protester Eliot Bernstein said senior citizens should think twice before retiring to Florida because of predatory professional guardians.
  
  “This is going to take federal intervention,” he said. “When there is this much money and profit in elder cleansing, in a state like this, it is going to take a lot more, like people going to go to jail.”

For the story, see Florida guardianship reform passes; seniors protest at courthouse.

In a related story, see Local 10 News viewer claims guardian not acting in best interest of father (Professional guardianship booming business in South Florida).

Go here for earlier posts on guardianship rackets around the country.

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(1) See also All power over adult guardianship severed for Judge Colin. granny-snatching