Guardianship Abuse: The Clara Fernandez Case

by Rhonda Linseman-Saunders
Key West The Newspaper

THE NAME OF THE SCAM IS THE GUARDIANSHIP SYSTEM. LAWYERS HIRE OTHER LAWYERS TO HELP “MANAGE” AN ELDERLY PERSON’S ESTATE.AND THEY ALL BILL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AN HOUR . . . UNTIL ALL THE ASSETS ARE GONE.
AND THE JUDGES LET IT HAPPEN

Clara Fernandez, now 89 and disabled, is quickly being fleeced of all the Fernandez family assets, once estimated to be worth several million dollars. Ostensibly insensitive judges have allowed a series of apparently greedy locallawyers, purporting to act in Clara’s best interest, to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in fees to seemingly do nothing except suck up what is left of Clara’s estate. Son Fighting an Uphill Battle to Save His Elderly Mother’s Estate from the Lawyers.

Ray appealed to the State Department of Children & Families (DCF) office in Polk County, initially to no avail. But eventually, he said, he was able to convince the DCF director there to refer the case to the State Attorney. Ironically, however, when the DCF director suddenly died, so did the case.

Clara Fernandez’ future remains very uncertain.

Abridged
SOURCE: elderabusehelp
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It is amazing that this case is still ongoing, after several years. The guardianship system, originally set up to better protect seniors, must have benefitted many individuals. However, when there are loopholes in the system, that allow the system to sanction abuse of the very people it is supposed to protect, something MUST be done URGENTLY to stop the abuses.
Clara is now 89 years of age. When will she be able to feel safe from "harassments" from guardians and lawyers, who are "syphoning off" her hard-earned assets?

Is there a judicial conscience?
Why do the American Bar Association allow this case, and many other similar cases to drag on and on. Often, the subjects of these cases die before any resolution; that can be considered satisfactory to the family members.
Is the legal professional body proud of their members involved in such cases?

There is now a national organisation: StopGuardianAbuse.org set up to publicize this issue. and to fight to stop this type 0f abuse.

How many families have to go through this nightmare, before this legally sanctioned ABUSE is stopped?

Guardian Abuse is not listed in any organizations relating to Elder Abuse Awareness/Prevention. IT SHOULD.

COMMENTS Received:

1) Anonymous said...

Oh my God! I read about this a year or so ago and it is just getting out to the public press?This is an insane world we live in, when elderly women are abused and robbed!I will contact The Fernandez family, and offer any assistance I can! I urge others to do so as well!!~ Kim - N.Y.C.
April 19, 2008 12:55 PM
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