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Question:聽I have an elderly aunt.聽聽I鈥檓 embarrassed to say that I only visit once every few months.聽聽I recently learned that she has a caretaker that has moved into her house and, I suspect, taking money from my aunt. When I asked my aunt about it she got angry.聽聽What can I do to protect her?
Answer:聽聽Your aunt may very well be the victim of elder abuse.聽聽It sounds as if she has become vulnerable because of her inability to take care of聽 her own needs. The caretaker who was supposed to be helping her may be harming her.聽聽Unfortunately, it is often someone close to the elderly person who takes advantage.
When Guardianship Proceedings Become Necessary
It is likely that you will have to commence a guardianship proceeding in the County where your aunt lives.聽聽Your attorney would have to prepare a petition that explains your aunt鈥檚 weaknesses, the caretaker鈥檚 actions,聽 the ways in which you believe these actions are causing harm to your aunt, and establish that she is likely to suffer further harm if a guardian is not appointed.聽聽If your petition contains enough factual information to raise the suspicions of the court, then a court evaluator will be appointed and a hearing date will be set聽within 28 days.聽聽The court evaluator is an individual, often an attorney, who is appointed to do an investigation;聽 often referred to as the 鈥渆yes and ears of the Court.鈥澛犅燱hile the Judge makes the final determination, the report of the court evaluator informs the Judge of the circumstances.聽聽These observations along with the information that you and other witnesses provide will be the evidence upon which the court will make a determination.
Once appointed, the court evaluator will interview you, your aunt, the caretaker, and anyone else identified as possibly having relevant information.聽聽The report of the court evaluator will be submitted to the Court and the court evaluator will testify at the hearing.聽The report contains聽the investigation and recommendations, including whether the evaluator believes your aunt suffers from limitations that could lead to harm to her person or property. The court will determine if she lacks the capacity to handle her own affairs and whether she requires the assistance of a guardian. Or in the alternative, if your aunt has capacity, she can consent to a guardian after the judge determines there is a need for a guardian.
The powers granted to the guardian are limited to those that are absolutely necessary for your aunt鈥檚 well-being.聽聽The idea of the guardianship is not to take away functions and responsibilities from your aunt that she can properly handle on her own, but to appoint someone to assist her with the things she cannot do and protect her from being a victim of undue influence of an un-monitored caretaker.
Legal Assistance to Protect Elders Against Abuse
You should consult with an attorney experienced in guardianship as a first step if you do believe that the caretaker is taking advantage of your aunt.聽聽The attorney can outline for you the risks and possible outcomes of bringing such a proceeding.
