Your mother is slowly losing her mind, and you’re concerned that she’s going to give away all of her money to a niece, or to your brother, or a caregiver, maybe her ex-husband, even a Nigerian prince.
Great article, Jane. Also quite disturbing. I've heard many stories like these. As a Financial Planner, I always try to educate clients and others about things like this. But also as a friend and confident to many, I try to remind them that our laws are a continuing work in progress and are wrought with hazards like this one. Thanks for bringing this important issue to light.
Sep 25, 2023·edited Sep 25, 2023Liked by Jane Wells
I hated to hit the like button. I hate it. Maybe if the public was made more aware of this, they'd demand action. Great work Jane bringing this to our attention at least. Maybe you could jump up and down and get the NBC networks to run a story on this. If our government would solve problems like this, instead of bickering and trying to gain control and power, this would be a much better country.
This article really got me thinking about packing my own parachute. I guess you really have to get the legal documents spelled out in detail. It’s going to close out done day so it’s best to be ready. There are hood people you know who can be appointed. Thanks, Jane!
Eye opening and alarming information here, Jane. Appalling that this sort of thing even has the slightest chance of happening in this country. I had no idea. I'd heard of the nightmare of some of the assisted living facilities, but just.... WOW 😲. My Dad is 90, and in surprisingly good physical and mental health, for 90. His wife is mentally alert, but has other health and physical limitations. My brother and sister in law live close by and stay with nearly full time, and there is round the clock nursing care for his wife. I'm about an hour away, but feel as though I need check in more often and make sure everything is on the up and up over there... Yikes!
Thanks so much for another informative article on a super important topic...
wow. just wow. great article. I'm facing challenges with my own mother as she ages. so much deceit and abuse of trust from outsiders. it's hard to stay on top of everything.
Fascinating! Fun fact--I believe our mutual Burbank friend’s next door neighbor scored that residence after preying on the elderly guy who lived there.
It’s hard to see your parent who looked after your every move when growing up suddenly not being able to take care of themselves and their finances. Hard part is the denial and they fight you about getting care or help from anyone. My mother was slowly deteriorating physically and mentally. I read about guardianship but didn’t want courts involved and it wasn’t like she was a millionaire. Luckily I was able to take care of her finances and with the help of social services and her church friend was able to get her into an assisted living facility, but the process took months. I also didn’t have a poa but when she needed surgery her doctor inquired about a medical poa and looked the other way when advised I didn’t have that for her. I avoided guardianship by taking care of her home and finances and fortunately she had good health insurance. Unfortunately when she passed I did have to enter probate which took 10 months since all she had ever done was a simple will. If she had done a Trust it would have been cheaper and simpler.
Nothing surprises me about this country anymore. Being that half the people in this country still think Trump is qualified to be president what do we expect. It's all about money here.
Great expose, Jane! I'm sharing this with all my Facebook friends. This scam is disgusting. BTW, the Pennsylvania Widows and Orphans Court falls under the purview of the Court of Common Pleas, to which judge are elected in local districts. The public thus has some control over who sits on the benches around the state. Unfortunately, peopl stay away from the polls in droves in off years when many judge elections occur. Court of Common Pleas judges serve six-year terms, so they alternate between presidential and off-year elections when running for re-election.
Many times it's the parents fault who are in denial and don't plan for their demise. Then a tragedy occurs, i.e., a stroke, alzheimers, etc. And it's too late. A lot of this would go away with more laws allowing doctor assisted suicide. For many in this state they are probably better off. Society has to come to grips with end of life decisions.
Journalism at its finest, an article that is balanced, thoughtful, insightful, and of course, in the unique Jane style. Thank you!!
Great article, Jane. Also quite disturbing. I've heard many stories like these. As a Financial Planner, I always try to educate clients and others about things like this. But also as a friend and confident to many, I try to remind them that our laws are a continuing work in progress and are wrought with hazards like this one. Thanks for bringing this important issue to light.
I have to thank Diane for bringing it to my attention. Thank goodness our daughter is an attorney! I feel somewhat protected.
I hated to hit the like button. I hate it. Maybe if the public was made more aware of this, they'd demand action. Great work Jane bringing this to our attention at least. Maybe you could jump up and down and get the NBC networks to run a story on this. If our government would solve problems like this, instead of bickering and trying to gain control and power, this would be a much better country.
This article really got me thinking about packing my own parachute. I guess you really have to get the legal documents spelled out in detail. It’s going to close out done day so it’s best to be ready. There are hood people you know who can be appointed. Thanks, Jane!
I've witnessed this with a client. In some cases the judges are in cahoots and "could" be profiting from the appointments as well. Very sad.
Eye opening and alarming information here, Jane. Appalling that this sort of thing even has the slightest chance of happening in this country. I had no idea. I'd heard of the nightmare of some of the assisted living facilities, but just.... WOW 😲. My Dad is 90, and in surprisingly good physical and mental health, for 90. His wife is mentally alert, but has other health and physical limitations. My brother and sister in law live close by and stay with nearly full time, and there is round the clock nursing care for his wife. I'm about an hour away, but feel as though I need check in more often and make sure everything is on the up and up over there... Yikes!
Thanks so much for another informative article on a super important topic...
Happy Autumn 🍂🍁🎃
Marshall (Rob) Robertson III
Good luck Rob!
As I age, a very timely (and scary) revelation. Good work again, Jane.
OMG, my future is a concentration camp.
PErhaps your column will help change that, Jane. I shared it on FB with a reminder to vote.
wow. just wow. great article. I'm facing challenges with my own mother as she ages. so much deceit and abuse of trust from outsiders. it's hard to stay on top of everything.
Erik, I wish you the best. It is indeed a full time job to stay vigilant.
Fascinating! Fun fact--I believe our mutual Burbank friend’s next door neighbor scored that residence after preying on the elderly guy who lived there.
Ugh.
It’s hard to see your parent who looked after your every move when growing up suddenly not being able to take care of themselves and their finances. Hard part is the denial and they fight you about getting care or help from anyone. My mother was slowly deteriorating physically and mentally. I read about guardianship but didn’t want courts involved and it wasn’t like she was a millionaire. Luckily I was able to take care of her finances and with the help of social services and her church friend was able to get her into an assisted living facility, but the process took months. I also didn’t have a poa but when she needed surgery her doctor inquired about a medical poa and looked the other way when advised I didn’t have that for her. I avoided guardianship by taking care of her home and finances and fortunately she had good health insurance. Unfortunately when she passed I did have to enter probate which took 10 months since all she had ever done was a simple will. If she had done a Trust it would have been cheaper and simpler.
Oh Tina. Never easy. Never. She was lucky to have you as her advocate.
Nothing surprises me about this country anymore. Being that half the people in this country still think Trump is qualified to be president what do we expect. It's all about money here.
Great expose, Jane! I'm sharing this with all my Facebook friends. This scam is disgusting. BTW, the Pennsylvania Widows and Orphans Court falls under the purview of the Court of Common Pleas, to which judge are elected in local districts. The public thus has some control over who sits on the benches around the state. Unfortunately, peopl stay away from the polls in droves in off years when many judge elections occur. Court of Common Pleas judges serve six-year terms, so they alternate between presidential and off-year elections when running for re-election.
Good point. These judges face re-election. But no one ever pays attention.
Many times it's the parents fault who are in denial and don't plan for their demise. Then a tragedy occurs, i.e., a stroke, alzheimers, etc. And it's too late. A lot of this would go away with more laws allowing doctor assisted suicide. For many in this state they are probably better off. Society has to come to grips with end of life decisions.