Dr. Sam Sugar, an internal medicine specialist who exposed widespread corruption in the guardianship systems, joins the podcast to discuss the guardianship system and the vulnerability of older adults to corporate guardianship, abuse of power, and crime. He is the author of Guardianships and the Elderly: The Perfect Crime. and Founder and President of Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship (AAAPG). It’s estimated that at least 1.3 million older adults and people with disabilities are under official guardianship in the United States. Guardians control at least 50 billion in assets, with some estimates much higher. The US Senate’s Special Committee on Aging acknowledges the issue with several senators saying, “Many [people under guardianship] need permission to see a doctor, take or refuse medication, live in their own homes, spend their own money, and even vote. They also face increased risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation by unscrupulous guardians.” Dr. Sugar notes many instances of abuse, discusses the known scams, and makes recommendations for protecting oneself and family members.
Please note that Dr. Sugar has researched many states and specializes in Florida’s guardianship system. In New York, the surrogate, county, supreme, and family courts each have a role in guardianships, depending on the assets and age of the ward, etc.
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