TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A bill that would protect elderly Floridians from financial exploitation by private guardians is poised to pass the legislature this session.
Its Senate sponsor, state Senator Nancy Detert, a Venice Republican, says her interest began with one of her constituents, whose mother was targeted. Detert says private guardians can sell off their wards' assets to pay themselves --- even to fight the ward's grown children in court.
Detert states, “We are hearing from everybody, and it’s a nationwide problem. Florida had the strongest laws in the nation, and we have all of these abuses. All of the other states are even worse than us, and there is nowhere to turn. They are now calling Florida to ask for advice.”
Detert's bill would regulate private guardians, who haven't been closely monitored by the state. The measure has passed the full Senate and is headed for the House floor.
