Guardianship Central: Resources
It is remarkably easy for anyone to file a petition with the court to guardianize another person. And the intended target (and their family) might never know what is happening in this mostly secretive system until it is too late. Further, it is nearly impossible to escape from a guardianship or conservatorship once a judge has established a case.
It is a court system that has truly run amok, a system in which you or someone you love can be declared an “incapacitated ward-of-the-court” and be automatically stripped of all civil rights. Loyal relatives are often pushed aside and a total stranger can be appointed as the guardian who will decide every aspect of the ward’s life. Their money and property are confiscated, they suddenly have no control over where they live, who they can visit with, where they can travel and they no longer have the right to vote. All their plans for the future are rendered moot. Oh, and they might be involuntarily overmedicated to ensure compliance.
This page is designed to help families navigate this secretive and confusing court system – beginning with these three links:
The following groups have collectively educated and advocated for thousands of American families struggling with troublesome guardianships or conservatorships.
Center for Estate Administration Reform – A non-profit organization that educates and advocates for victims and families to stop exploitation and fraud in adult guardianships and probate proceedings. CEAR has counseled multiple thousands of families facing unwanted or abusive situations.
Contact Rick Black, co-founder: rick@cearjustice.org
National Association to STOP Guardianship Abuse – a non-profit group that seeks to protect the civil/human rights of adults described as “incompetent” and who have been made wards of the state. The maintain an exhaustive archive of stories describing unwanted and abusive guardianships and conservatorships.
Contact: Elaine Renoire, President: info@stopguardianabuse.org
The Spectrum Institute – A non-profit organization focused on human rights issues involving adults with mental or developmental disabilities. The California-based Institute engages in a wide range of research projects and educational programs designed to reform the current system. The group maintains that any citizen declared “incapacitated” is automatically protected under the Americans With Disability Act.
Contact: tomcoleman@spectruminstitute.org, attorney and Executive Director
Kasem Cares – Founded by the daughter of the late radio icon Casey Kasem, this non-profit foundation focuses on fighting elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Founder Kerri Kasem has been successful in getting several states to pass legislation insuring the visitation rights of adult children whose parents are in restrictive guardianships or conservatorships.
Contact: kerri@kasemcares.com or call (949)-872-0658
Supported Decision-Making.org – A non-profit that promotes the idea that many at-risk citizens just need help making good life choices, not conscription into a strict guardianship. This site provides a state-by-state map of available decision-making resources. Their motto: “Helping people with disabilities lead amazing lives through supported decision making.”
Facebook: Several states have individual SDM pages. Check to see if your state has one.
Contact: See contact form on website or call (202)-448-1454
ElderCaringCoordination.com, This is a mediation-based alternative to help solve high conflict family disputes that jeopardize the wellbeing and autonomy of an elderly loved one. Judges who have ordered ElderCare Coordination instead of full guardianship report positive results.
Contact: See contact form on website
Dear Readers, you are encouraged to support your local bookstores. However, for quick reference here are other guardianship related books listed on Amazon for your consideration.
Guardianships and the Elderly: The Perfect Crime, 2018, Dr. Sam Sugar
Your Consent Is Not Required: The Rise in Psychiatric Detentions, Forced Treatment, and Abusive Guardianships, 2023, Rob Wipond
Protecting Mama: Surviving the Legal Guardianship Swamp, 2021, Leonie Rosenstiel
The Retirement Nightmare: How to Save Yourself from Your Heirs and Protectors: Involuntary Conservatorships and Guardianships , 2000, by Diane G. Armstrong, Ph.D.
Personal stories from various vantage points plus information on alternative-to-guardianship programs
The Mother Who Changed: A Story of Dementia, 2023, Katie Engelhart, New York Times Magazine
How the Elderly Lose Their Rights, 2017, Rachel Aviv, New Yorker Magazine
About Supported Decision-Making, 2023, Supported Decisions.org-
Supported Decision-Making: Frequently Asked Questions, American Civil Liberties Union
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Glossary - What do all those guardianship terms mean?
Featured Audio & Videos
Official Brandeis University Press Book Trailer, produced by Marie Comuzzo
The Pitfalls of Senior Guardianship with Diane Dimond, Specifically for Seniors Podcast, October 3, 2023
“Shattered Lives” with Donna and Delilah, Inside Lenz Network
This is a sort of walk down “career memory lane.” I was especially grateful to be able to discuss my elder guardianship investigation with Donna and Delilah. We also talked about how crime victims feel about journalists’ reports on their tragedies, other notable cases I’ve covered and a lot more. Listen
Long Form Articles
One of Diane's earliest works on guardianship was an award-winning six part series in the Albuquerque Journal. It resulted in the New Mexico legislature passing several new laws to reform the system. Read it here ...
In 2019, Diane investigated the case of Dr. Lillie White of Florida. An estranged granddaughter living in another state suddenly appeared and guardianized her wealthy grandmother. What followed was heartbreaking, as reported at RealClearInvestigations.com
Lillie White fought against her unwanted guardianship for 8 long years. For the last four years she was hidden away by her court appointee and none of her extended family knew where she was. She died alone. Now, her sister speaks about what abusive guardianship can do to the ward’s families.
