Elderly Care Taker

Crooked Caretakers: ‘Easier than you think’ to steal from the vulnerable

Scott Teter, head of the Michigan Attorney General’s Financial Crimes Division, said “it’s easier than you think for rogue guardians and conservators to steal from wards.  Spotting exploitation is often left up to family members, but most families don’t have the resources to do that.” Teter continued with, the system is set up to respond to complaints, not search for evidence of exploitation.   Michigan: Flaws In The Law In Michigan conservators have to file an annual financial report, but guardians don’t. Additionally, the financial report itself doesn’t require any receipts or backup documentation to account for the money. “It’s…

Read More

Probate Jackal Alert

JACKAL ALERT – Emergency Guardianship Petition

Be Aware, the take over process starts with an Emergency Guardianship (and conservatorship) Petition. Once someone files a petition to be your guardian (and/or conservator), you can spot the Jackal soon after.  The Jackal will be the person(s) who files an “Emergency” guardianship and conservatorship petition.  Be aware that this person can be a family member, employee, attorney or anyone looking to take control of your money and assets. You don’t believe it, check out the case involving Joann Bashinsky, where friends, employees and attorneys was trying to take control of the Joann’s money.   The “Emergency” Petition First, let…

Read More

Joann Bashinsky, heriss of Golden Flake

Friends and Employees Tried to Seize Money Using Guardianship

The Supreme Court of Alabama on Thursday, July 2, 2020,  released a unanimous, scathing opinion outlining that the Jefferson County Probate Court “egregiously violated” the “basic due-process rights” of Joann Bashinsky, heiress to the Golden Flake fortune. Joann Bashinsky had been deprived of controlling her own assets, managing her own personal affairs and making her own legal decisions, since October due to orders issued then by recently retired Jefferson County Presiding Probate Judge Alan King. Judge Alan King order came after former allies and employees of Bashinsky, the wife of Golden Flake’s founder, allegedly moved to try seizing the fortune…

Read More

Letter in mail for probate hearing

Why You MUST Respond to Letter about Probate Court

So you got a letter in the mail from someone (relative, lawyer, doctor,…) saying a hearing is scheduled for you for “Probate Court”. Your first reaction is, “What is this for?  I don’t need anyone helping me, or any court telling me what to do”.  This reaction is fine, but DON’T IGNORE THE PAPERS. You see, anyone can file an application with probate court, saying that your are incapacitated, and that you need help managing your life and money. Oh, so you don’t believe it?  Google how to file guardianship in your state.  You will see something like: 1- Fill…

Read More

Elder Exploitation

How Courts and Guardians Exploit the Elderly and their Estates

A California man spent $50,000 in legal fees freeing his stepmother from the clutches of a so-called guardian in Las Cruces, New Mexico, who charged $140,000 for services over a year’s time. – – – – – – – – – – Prosecutors in Pinellas County, Florida, on Nov. 15 charged Traci S. Hudson, guardian and then-president of the Pinellas County Guardianship Association, with felony exploitation of an elderly person. She’s accused of stealing $541,541, via charges of $1,600 per day, from a 92-year-old man she persuaded to assign his power of attorney to her. Within 10 months, she allegedly…

Read More

Health & Home Protection in the Age of Covid-19

Just as things start to re-open, the coronavirus effects more people.  More people admitted to hospitals; more people on respirators; more people sick; more people dying. It is time that you put the appropriate documents in place to protect you and your family.  Without the right documents in place, should something happen to you, your family will be reliant on state laws and probate courts to appoint individuals who will be responsible for your financial affairs and health-care decisions. AND, if you have your estate documents in place, now is the time to review and update those documents. Documents You…

Read More

Cremated Remains in Guardian Office

Cremated Remains of 9 people found in Guardian’s Office

Rebecca Fierle, a professional guardian in Orlando Florida, had the cremated remains of nine people in her office, and she is linked to the death of a 75-year-old Florida client, according to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Orange County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Rebecca Fierle’s Orlando office. “Alarmingly, we found items that are cause for concern and will intensify our investigation. We found nine cremains. We are now in the process of identifying those and furthering the investigation,” Moody said. Fierle is facing a criminal investigation and the governor…

Read More