O.C. Register: Money-draining probate system 'like a plague on our senior citizens'
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Elder abuse takes many forms, across the country. One such is the probate system taking control of (wealthy) seniors - who lost their rights to make decisions - that others view critically.
According to O.C. Register:
https://www.ocregister.com/2018/09/23/money-draining-probate-system-like-a-plague-on-our-senior-citizens/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
How can legal professionals have such power over the life of a noncriminal, to the point that even family has no voice?
It’s called probate court, and — used properly — it can be a way to protect the elderly and disabled from physical and financial bullying by family and friends. But probate court also can open the door for high-priced professionals to swallow a client’s life savings and the family’s future inheritance.
An investigation by the Southern California News Group reveals that conservators, guardians, fiduciaries, their attorneys and judges become almost cliquish in running people’s lives.
‘Buddy-buddy system’
“Often there is a little buddy-buddy system going on … sometimes a judge has friends who are attorneys,” said Thomas Coleman, a Palm Springs lawyer who specializes in representing the disabled.