WITI-TV, MILWAUKEE -
Ruth Collins was declared incompetent by Judge Mel Flanagan before the county filed a guardianship case in probate court. Judge Flanagan appointed Collins' daughter, Sandra Wright, to serve as the legal guardian for personal and medical decisions.
Since Wright had credit problems, the court appointed a corporate guardian to manage the money. Supportive Community Services, SCS, took over as Collins was behind on her mortgage and owed more than $30,000 in back taxes on six rental properties.
"These properties are viable. They did not have to be sold," says Wright, who hired a realtor named Mark Habrle to help outline a plan and dig Collins out of debt.
"I saw nothing but money. Lots of money that could be made by the person that owns the properties," says Habrle. The Judge, however, never saw the detailed plan because a SCS case worker dismissed Habrle's call.
Consequentially, SCS sold two of Collins' rental properties, but one for only $13,000. Habrle says, "It's hard for me to fathom the fact that you can sell a property that generates 18 grand a year for 13 grand."
The Collins family envisioned Ruth living her final years inside her Glendale home along the Milwaukee River, but SCS had a different vision. It was decided early in the process that the Glendale home would be sold, which caused Collins' mortgage to be ignored for eight months!
Annie McKenna is a spokeswoman for the National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse. She says, "Every time they sell something off, they make money. So what they're really saying to her is, come on, we want to make money. That's what everybody does in the guardianship. Everyone." Liquidation is one way corporate guardians ensure the estate can afford their fees.
As Wright fought with SCS, the more it cost her mother because the company hired an attorney at $225 an hour on Collins' bill. Petrie & Stocking law firm built up $17,000 in legal fees including a $12.50 six minute phone call from Collins to her daughter, $22.50 to read an email, and $67.50 to send one. $9,000 to SCS totals around $26,000.
Attorney Laura Petrie asked to be dismissed from the case because of Collins' inability to pay the fees already accumulated. Annie McKenna says, "I think it's horrible, because so much wrongdoing is able to be done when it's done in secret."
Petrie writes, "Neither SCS now Petrie & Stocking has anything to hide" in a letter to FOX6. However, in a closed door meeting on Monday they asked the judge to help them keep the next set of bills from getting to FOX6. Petrie & Stocking declined to answer a list of questions through citing privacy restrictions.
An SCS lawyer replied with a 15 page court record and a paragraph statement determined "It is our firm belief that a fair reading of this factual information will demonstrate that SCS's handling of this guardianship estate has been completely appropriate and in the best interest of Ms. Collins."
Ruth Collins' home has been sold, and she has moved to Florida to live with her other daughter. To avoid a similar scam to you or someone you love, do your estate planning soon. Also make sure to get power of attorney documents planned out, so you decide who makes medical and financial decisions.
The Collins family found these documents a few months ago, but too late to save the Glendale home.
Since Wright had credit problems, the court appointed a corporate guardian to manage the money. Supportive Community Services, SCS, took over as Collins was behind on her mortgage and owed more than $30,000 in back taxes on six rental properties.
"These properties are viable. They did not have to be sold," says Wright, who hired a realtor named Mark Habrle to help outline a plan and dig Collins out of debt.
"I saw nothing but money. Lots of money that could be made by the person that owns the properties," says Habrle. The Judge, however, never saw the detailed plan because a SCS case worker dismissed Habrle's call.
Consequentially, SCS sold two of Collins' rental properties, but one for only $13,000. Habrle says, "It's hard for me to fathom the fact that you can sell a property that generates 18 grand a year for 13 grand."
The Collins family envisioned Ruth living her final years inside her Glendale home along the Milwaukee River, but SCS had a different vision. It was decided early in the process that the Glendale home would be sold, which caused Collins' mortgage to be ignored for eight months!
Annie McKenna is a spokeswoman for the National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse. She says, "Every time they sell something off, they make money. So what they're really saying to her is, come on, we want to make money. That's what everybody does in the guardianship. Everyone." Liquidation is one way corporate guardians ensure the estate can afford their fees.
As Wright fought with SCS, the more it cost her mother because the company hired an attorney at $225 an hour on Collins' bill. Petrie & Stocking law firm built up $17,000 in legal fees including a $12.50 six minute phone call from Collins to her daughter, $22.50 to read an email, and $67.50 to send one. $9,000 to SCS totals around $26,000.
Attorney Laura Petrie asked to be dismissed from the case because of Collins' inability to pay the fees already accumulated. Annie McKenna says, "I think it's horrible, because so much wrongdoing is able to be done when it's done in secret."
Petrie writes, "Neither SCS now Petrie & Stocking has anything to hide" in a letter to FOX6. However, in a closed door meeting on Monday they asked the judge to help them keep the next set of bills from getting to FOX6. Petrie & Stocking declined to answer a list of questions through citing privacy restrictions.
An SCS lawyer replied with a 15 page court record and a paragraph statement determined "It is our firm belief that a fair reading of this factual information will demonstrate that SCS's handling of this guardianship estate has been completely appropriate and in the best interest of Ms. Collins."
Ruth Collins' home has been sold, and she has moved to Florida to live with her other daughter. To avoid a similar scam to you or someone you love, do your estate planning soon. Also make sure to get power of attorney documents planned out, so you decide who makes medical and financial decisions.
The Collins family found these documents a few months ago, but too late to save the Glendale home.
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