Katherine Carter, (Husband)Credel Carter, (Daughter)Venus Gist-California-Care Advocate and Consultant, Seniors, and Family
My Family was hooked into a Probate Court conservatorship in California. We rescued my mother from a substantial residential care facility. I found evidence her life was in danger. If I sugarcoat my words, it won’t address past, current, and future cases within probate and family Courts. When decisions must be made in court concerning a family’s loved one probate and family judicial systems disregard family relationships. There’s no perfect family, but in many cases, like ours, there are family members who’ve been legally designated to govern family business. I have my B.A. in Family/Child Psychology and my M.S. in Family and Human Development, which is a blessing, but nothing supersedes being raised and cared for by a loving family.
Why do attorneys, conservators, guardians, etc., take advantage of families and plunder their estates and judges allow it? All my advocate associates agree, it’s all about the money!! Sure, some cases warrant court involvement when there’s no family, but when concerned family members are excluded, it may be unlawful, but courts do it daily. I feel, after my probate court experience, court officials lack integrity, respect, and accountability. There was poor communication, and a lack of concern. My parents had a trust, and my mother required higher quality care. It appeared to me there was evidence the conservator misappropriated funds.
Be careful when you call APS and CPS! Some social workers may not be on your side. There are those inside the system who abuse our seniors and children and build their wealth upon our family’s blood, sweat and tears. As advocates we yearn for the day, we, the people, know the truth. Our advice: “Don’t go to court!” The courts get rich from “family conflict.” It’s best to acknowledge family differences and collaboratively invest in a professional family mediator outside the court system. We’ve seen attorney fees in California run as high as $700 an hour. Every court official will get paid, but not the family. It’s a lucrative game you don’t want to play! God bless and protect us all!