Full Description
The human stories behind the headlines exposing the truth about the guardianship system.
The state-run guardianship system, called conservatorship in some states, is largely unregulated, ill-understood, and increasingly populated by financially motivated predators. Just how the secretive world of guardianship works and its real-life effects remained a mystery to most until the very public case of pop star Britney Spears. It suddenly became clear that those conscripted into the system lose all their civil rights in the process. Currently, there are an estimated 1.5 to 2 million Americans under court control, but precise figures are not known as no government entity keeps track of citizens who have lost the right to determine their own fate.
Established in the late 1800s, the guardianship system was designed to assist the most vulnerable citizens: the elderly and the physically or intellectually disabled. While guardianship has been beneficial to many "wards of the court," this little-understood process can be a judicial rollercoaster from which there is seldom an escape, and which often leads to financial devastation for the ward and their families. Each year, fifty billion dollars belonging to wards are placed under the control of court appointees, an obvious temptation to bad actors who are in a position to control these funds. As investigative journalist Diane Dimond discovers, the number of exploitive and abusive guardianship cases nationwide demands our urgent attention. This book also provides concrete steps that families can take to protect themselves, as guardianship can happen to any one of us at any time.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Floodgates Open
Chapter 2: The Case Heard 'Round the World
Chapter 3: The Players
Chapter 4: Britney is Not Alone
Chapter 5: So, How Might It Work?
Chapter 6: Guardians From Hell - and Lawyers and Judges Too
Chapter 7: How Do the Dishonest Get Away With It?
Chapter 8: What Will it Take Before Washington Acts?
Chapter 9: Weaponizing Guardianship to End a Marriage
Chapter 10: The Disabled Still Have Civil Rights
Chapter 11: Turning a Blind Eye - Where's the Legal Community?
Chapter 12: The Cowgirl vs. Conservator
Chapter 13: The Richer the Better
Chapter 14: Desperate is as Desperate Does
Chapter 15: Service to the Nation Doesn't Matter
Chapter 16: Guarding Against Guardianship
Chapter 17: Possible Solutions to Fix the System
Chapter 18: Final Mentions
