Unfortunately I have had more than one blog about the many failings of the Florida Guardianship system. From being under funded to the resultant being understaffed and making poor judgments, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Earlier this month I mentioned several proposed bills in the Florida Legislate. Well today I am happy to mention the specifics of one of these cases and a few ways its going to help a tragic case you may have read about if you are in Sarasota.
- Julie Ferguson still owes about 5,000 dollars to Florida attorneys she hired to unsuccessfully secure guardianship of her 80 year old mother, Marise London.
- Her sister is a convicted felon who tried to get durable power of attorney from the older woman who lives in Sarasota Florida most agree this could have led to a complete liquidation of assets.
- Instead of getting the guardianship that she legally requested, London’s daily life is now managed by professional guardians according to a Florida probate decision issued in 2013.
- Now a multi million dollar company is a guardian for this poor woman’s mother and she is still paying attorneys for results she did not get.
- To this day she is still fighting, is there any hope for Ms. Ferguson and her mother, maybe.
The Florida Senate is currently discussing a bill endorsed by committee vote, last week to provide new protections for elderly Floridians who end up under a guardian supervision because of mental illness or incapacitate!
- Experts says this is a step in the right direction including the Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship of Miami, through its founder Dr. Sam Sugar.
- Want to check out the whole bill, look it up its called SB (State Bill) 1226.
- This new law would allow courts to refer guardianship disputes among family members to mediation – which sounds amazing to this Palm Beach Probate litigator.
- One thing that is kind of interesting is he bill requires appointment of guardians pursuant to a revolving list.