Disqus - Latest Comments for ElaineRenoire

Re: Report: New Jersey has nation's worst elder abuse protections

ElaineRenoire — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 21:22:50 -0000

How do you know if 13 out of 14 cases are unreported if the cases are unreported? I don't mean to criticize the message of the article because it's very important. The elderly are often cast aside and their suffering ignored.

It's just that this kind of a statistic makes no sense.

Re: Concerns Continue Over Guardianship In New Mexico

ElaineRenoire — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 18:18:13 -0000

Even under the best of intentions and circumstances, guardianship was created and designed to be a matter of last resort --- after everything else has been tried and failed. The reason for this is well demonstrated in the Hamilton and Kise cases as reported above.

Guardianship abuse isn't just a problem of New Mexico or just a few states; it's a nationwide problem and it's growing. Join the national movement for reform. Join NASGA.

Re: Britney Spears Conservatorship Wins Court Battle In Free Britney Movement

ElaineRenoire — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 11:09:41 -0000

What just happened to freedom of speech? If Elia wants to talk smack about the conservatorship, shouldn't he have the right to do so --- especially when the subject is a public person?

Re: 1 killed after lion escapes enclosure at North Carolina animal center: Officials - ABC News

ElaineRenoire — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 19:08:22 -0000

I am so sorry for both the woman and the lion. The lion was just being a lion and the woman just happened to be in its sight. It's neither's fault and a great tragedy to both.

Re: Retired Orange County Judge Betty Lou Lamoreaux dies, but probate fight continues for her estate

ElaineRenoire — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 16:23:17 -0000

Well said, Duff McGrath: “In the last remaining years of her brilliant life, ironically, she was persecuted by the very judicial system she served so well."

I am sorry to hear of her passing but am also glad she's no longer suffering. Alzheimer's has become the biggest fear of growing old.

This case is a prime example of the feeding frenzy so often associated with abusive conservatorships involving a lot of money. The lawyers involved enjoy the lion's share of the estate. It is they who profit most when bad conservators misbehave, because loving family then has no other choice but to take the matter to court to resolve the issue in desperate hope of protecting their loved one. Litigation fuels billing and billing is the one task lawyers do with precision.

Our sympathies to the family of Judge Betty Lou Lamoreaux.

Re: Money-draining probate system ‘like a plague on our senior citizens’

ElaineRenoire — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 20:55:31 -0000

Carlena, supported decision-making is a concept sweeping the country which has the possibility of replacing many or maybe even most conservatorships. Supported decision-making doesn't involve the courts. Several states have passed legislation already and many more are considering it.

Re: Money-draining probate system ‘like a plague on our senior citizens’

ElaineRenoire — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 20:51:43 -0000

If you have money and someone wants it and you're elderly or disabled, a conservatorship can be (and often is) used to get to the money. Unscrupulous conservators, lawyers, social workers, hospital workers (the list goes on) troll for opportunities to snag innocent individuals at their moment of vulnerability. Although there is no 100% foolproof protection against a hostile conservatorship, there are ways to better protect our loved ones and ourselves as well as better protecting families from being put in a position to have to fight an unscrupulous conservator in what seems like endless litigation.

Re: New law offers alternative to guardianship for seniors and those with developmental disabilities

ElaineRenoire — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 19:29:41 -0000

Thank you Representative Millet. Supported Decision-Making is sweeping the country. No longer will individuals who just need a little help suffer the oppression of guardianship and loss of fundamental rights and liberties.

NASGA - National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse - enthusiastically supports Supported Decision-Making!

Re: Money-draining probate system ‘like a plague on our senior citizens’

ElaineRenoire — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 09:42:08 -0000

One of the things misunderstood about Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, etc. is we believe these documents will stand up in court, but the reality is judges can (and often do) trample right over these documents with the stroke of a pen and then appoint a third-party conservator (a complete stranger) despite the best intentions and efforts of estate planning and the individual subject to conservatorship's expressed wishes. Sometimes these actions are necessary as durable power of attorney abuse is growing too. But, especially in cases involving large estates and family discourse, opportunists are waiting for those appointments and they then get rich off of the backs of the helpless. It's easy money for greedy and unscrupulous conservators who know the courts are over-booked and understaffed -- and aren't monitoring these cases.

Re: Money-draining probate system ‘like a plague on our senior citizens’

ElaineRenoire — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 09:39:22 -0000

Unlawful and abusive conservatorship is a direct destruction of the American Dream we are all taught young in life….. people working hard and saving enough money to buy a home and raise their families and then passing on the American Dream to the next generation. And when their working days are nearing an end, the dreamers can look forward to their golden years of retirement and spoiling their grandchildren.

There is no more American Dream. Conservatorship abuse takes everything away – the home, assets, personal belongings, fundamental rights and liberties, sometimes family and sometimes lives.

And saddest of all is once a person is conserved, if that individual or individual’s estate is abused or exploited, there’s nearly nothing anyone can do about it. Families go bankrupt trying to protect their loved ones, and the broken system exploits them too.
What happens to the victims? They simply fall through the cracks, fade away and many die prematurely and others suffer a longer demise in a nursing home. The next victim could be you – or your loved one. Join the national movement for reform of unlawful and abusive guardianships and conservatorships. Join NASGA!

Re: Money-draining probate system ‘like a plague on our senior citizens’

ElaineRenoire — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:24:47 -0000

Janet, NASGA (National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse) is an organization of victim and family advocates working for reform of unlawful and abusive guardianships and conservatorships on a national level. Please consider joining and supporting our efforts.

And there are other organizations too.

I would also recommend listening and supporting Marti Oakley's weekly broadcast about guardianship abuse on her T. S. Radio Network. Her guests are sometimes family victims, but most often her guests are advocates and experts discussing possible solutions and approaches to fixing the broken system.

Re: Money-draining probate system ‘like a plague on our senior citizens’

ElaineRenoire — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:22:09 -0000

Re: Money-draining probate system ‘like a plague on our senior citizens’

ElaineRenoire — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 10:41:33 -0000

There is no more American Dream. Conservatorship abuse takes everything away – the home, assets, personal belongings, fundamental rights and liberties, sometimes family and sometimes lives.

What happens to the victims? They simply fall through the cracks, fade away and many die prematurely and others suffer a longer demise in a nursing home. The next victim could be you – or your loved one. Join the national movement for reform of unlawful and abusive guardianships and conservatorships. Join NASGA!

Re: How judges, probate attorneys, and guardianship orgs abuse the vulnerable

ElaineRenoire — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 21:08:55 -0000

Laura, I'm not an attorney but I can tell you that professional guardians enjoy immunity or quasi immunity and very few are held accountable. I believe you would have more success suing the facility.

And, please consider joining our organization (NASGA - National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse) and supporting our efforts for reform. What happened to your Mother is happening to other good people across the country and we're working hard to stop it. We hope you will join us in the fight for reform so others won't suffer as your Mother has.

You've been through a nightmare that you'll never get over. It will always be raw and will be with you as long as you live. But, I hope you will find that helping others, also helps you heal.
Join us!

Re: There is no excuse for elder abuse

ElaineRenoire — Sun, 10 Jun 2018 21:06:50 -0000

I hope you will help raise awareness of Elder Abuse by watching and sharing this documentary (The Unforgivable Truth – How We Have Turned Our Greatest Generation into our Abused Generation) focusing on financial elder abuse ---a topic every Boomer faces now with their parents or in their own future.

The film gives constant tribute and honor to Veterans – many of whom gave life or limb answering our nation’s call. Today, the greatest generation is under fire again and this time the enemy is elder abuse and guardianship abuse.

The very people who fought for our freedom are denied theirs when they get old. Join The Elder Abuse Reform Now Project (EARN) and get directly involved in bringing elder abuse to an end!

https://vimeo.com/256301610

Re: Tastefully Offensive: John Oliver Discusses the Dark Side of Guardianship

ElaineRenoire — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 17:39:33 -0000

Guardianship abuse is a practice which has lived and thrived in the darkness for years. NASGA (National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse) is an organization of victims and families working hard for reform. We appreciate John Oliver's funny but hard-hitting lesson and warning to all. Guardianship abuse touches all Americans, either someone in their close family, or someone they know, or every US taxpayer who is forced to pick up the Medicaid tab for guardianship wards "protected" into indigence as their court-appointed guardians withdrawal from the case when the money's gone and move on to the next.

Join the national movement for reform of unlawful and abusive guardianships and conservatorships. Join NASGA!

Re: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Guardianship, senior citizens focus of main segment

ElaineRenoire — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 17:29:34 -0000

Join the national movement for reform of unlawful and abusive guardianships and conservatorships. Join NASGA!

Re: John Oliver talks senior guardianship on Last Week Tonight

ElaineRenoire — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 17:13:51 -0000

Join the national movement for reform of unlawful and abusive guardianships and conservatorships. Join NASGA!

Re: John Oliver Explains How Legal Guardians Abuse Their Power

ElaineRenoire — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 16:50:14 -0000

Guardianship abuse is a practice that has lived and thrived in the darkness for years. NASGA (National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse) is an organization of victims and families working hard for reform. We appreciate John Oliver's funny but hard-hitting lesson and warning to all. Guardianship abuse touches all Americans, either someone in their close family, or someone they know, or every US taxpayer who is forced to pick up the Medicaid tab for guardianship wards "protected" into indigence as their court-appointed guardians withdrawal from the case when the money's gone and move on to the next.

Join the national movement for reform of unlawful and abusive guardianships and conservatorships. Join NASGA!

Re: 'Star Trek'S Nichelle Nichols' Given Conservators Due Memory Loss

ElaineRenoire — Wed, 16 May 2018 10:38:43 -0000

I appreciate the judge's concern about the cost of the conservatorship to Ms. Nichols' estate. This article, however, seems to indicate that Ms. Nichols was conserved on pure suspicion, unproven allegations, and innuendo and I find that equally concerning.

Conservatorship abuse is a growing problem nationally. Join the movement for reform. Join NASGA!

Re: Financial abuse against the elderly most often committed by those closest to them

ElaineRenoire — Tue, 08 May 2018 22:10:42 -0000

I wonder how many people Wells Fargo interviewed complained that their life savings were dissipated and their homes lost (sold) by guardianship and conservatorship?

Re: For Some Concerned With Deficient Guardianship Programs, Volunteers Can Fill The Void

ElaineRenoire — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 20:32:34 -0000

Alternatives to guardianship, such as supported decision-making, will help lower the numbers of guardianships and thus the need for guardians. Likewise, strong advance directives including Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy obviate the need for guardians as well. And many people are stuck in seemingly never-ending guardianships who either never needed them or who have recovered and should be restored to capacity.

People are beginning to do more volunteer work than ever. Volunteering to help the elderly or disabled in any capacity, including as volunteer guardian, is not just needed but it is rewarding and fulfilling to those volunteers who provide these services from their heart.

Re: Opinion: It’s time to reform probate court

ElaineRenoire — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 20:16:41 -0000

I appreciate this editorial very much. Not enough has changed since the LA Times ran a benchmark series about conservatorship abuse which rang across the nation. The elderly and persons with disability(ies) are still being "protected" into indigence and forced into facilities against their will where they face loneliness, helplessness, and premature death.

The good news is the Uniform Law Commission recently completed drafting the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship and Other Protective Arrangements Act and it is ready for states to enact in whole (that's the hope!) or in part. (Maine is the first state to pass the Act.) UGCOPAA is as close to sweeping reform as we're going to get -- and sweeping reform is exactly what's needed. UGCOPAA tackles long-standing problems such as alternatives to conservatorships, priority to limited conservatorships, rights for persons in conservatorship, and much more.

NASGA supports UGCOPAA and we hope the State of CA will look into it. Time is of the essence; the Boomers are growing more gray every day.

Join the national movement for reform of unlawful and abusive conservatorships. Join NASGA!

Re: San Francisco prepares to expand conservatorships for homeless people

ElaineRenoire — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 19:47:44 -0000

It actually is far too easy, tho. People are conserved on mere allegation and even innuendo. (Not every case, of course, but in many cases.) The GAO has done several studies on the problems and their reports are scathing.

I am just having trouble with why we would pick a system we know is failing the elderly and adults with disabilities (whom the system was designed for) and widen the scope (and possibly the failure) to the homeless.

I don't know the answer to the homeless problem; sure wish I did. I just don't think the answer is conservatorship.

Re: San Francisco prepares to expand conservatorships for homeless people

ElaineRenoire — Sat, 21 Apr 2018 19:59:04 -0000

Thank you very much. I worry -- even with the one year termination and required court hearing to extend -- that these conservatorships will basically never end. The problem with conservatorship is an almost total lack on monitoring. Here's an outrageous example - in Nevada, when a conserved child turns 18, the conservatorship is terminated and a new petition has to be filed to now conserve the adult (if necessary.) A young disabled person in Nevada turned 18 but not only did the court not tell him that his conservatorship as a minor terminated but no one filed a new petition to conserve this young man as an adult. However, the conservator and the conservator's lawyer kept billing and controlling for seven more years. It was only "discovered" during a media frenzy about conservatorship abuse in Nevada. The court (who should have known) then issued an order to terminate the conservatorship. When the young man attempted to sue for damages, the case was thrown out --- saying he should have known the conservatorship was terminated (despite the court not knowing either).

It's a true story and while it happened in another state, it's also indicative of the problems nationwide. No one is watching and it's far too easy to put someone into a conservatorship than to monitor the case properly and see to it that the laws are followed. We're talking about taking away people's fundamental rights and liberties and they may never get them back.