At 63, Walter’s Parkinson’s Disease had taken a toll and he could no longer manage his finances. His daughter took over and became his Power of Attorney. Within two years, The Office of Aging had received several reports of financial exploitation.

The courts discovered that Walter’s daughter made large withdrawals from his bank accounts, cashed in his annuity, and maxed out his credit cards. Further investigation showed that she spent over $250,000 of Walter’s money on personal purchases and extravagant vacations. Meanwhile, she was not paying Walter’s bills like insurance or electric that his medical devices depended on.

The judge appointed The Arc Alliance as Guardian of Walter’s Estate. While we could not make personal or medical decisions for Walter, we could protect him and look out for his best financial interests. We took over his assets and paid his outstanding bills. We ensured that Walter’s electricity stayed on to power his medical equipment. We made sure Walter could stay in his home where he wanted to be. As Guardians, we are not just court ordered protectors, we try to help our clients live the life they want.

Note: The names in this story have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved