The Las Vegas Review Journal last month reported on an arrest of a 31-year-old woman who had stolen $230,000 from a lady in her 70s. She had forged Power of Attorney papers so that she could take the senior’s home and clean out her bank accounts.
The alleged criminal is a citizen of Mexico, yet she was released on a $165,000 surety bond. Her hearing is scheduled (after our Vegas Voice deadline) on July 6th. What are the odds she will be back in Mexico by then?
Regular readers who have followed my column may remember the amount of time and effort Publisher Dan and I spent in with the Nevada Legislature in Carson City advocating for various laws to toughen guardianship laws as well as creating new guardian protection laws.
We also spent several years holding free seminars all over the Valley, warning readers of the various tricks and scams private guardians used against seniors attempting to steal their life savings
But what would YOU do if a seemingly kind person reached out offering to help you with chores that confuse and stress you out? Please, going forward remember the phrase: “trust but verify!”
In the above situation, the “Good Samaritan” claimed to be an attorney. Shortly thereafter, she showed the senior’s bank officials what appeared to be a “power of attorney” for the senior.
I always advised in our seminars that when a person has a guardian (be it private or public), such guardian has total control of their “protected person’s,”(formerly called the “ward.”) life in every manner. The “kind” woman in the RJ article apparently supplied fake documents to make it appear that her victim executed all such documents.
This corrupt action gave the “new friend” the right to take anything – including the victim’s home.
Over the past few years, I have received many calls asking for recommendations for an attorney who will handle guardianship cases for those victimized. I also asked several lawyers for recommendations as to an attorney who will take a case for a homeowner with HOA issues.
Attorney Michael Allman, who is running for judge in Henderson, was kind enough to send me two names. If you are seeking an attorney in either of these issues, you can email meand I will send the contacts to you. My email: Rana0527@aol.com.
Lastly if you have not already heard (or completed) the Guardian Nomination form, (Our bill that passed through the Nevada Legislature several years ago), let this sad and tragic story serve as (another) wake-up call.
You can nominate anyone to be your guardian, (regardless where they live) should you ever need one. Once filled out and notarized you must send the form to the Secretary of State who will file it in its digital “lock box.”
The Secretary of State will send you an identification card to carry with you for emergencies. By law, the court must accept your choice of guardian.
You can find the form on our Vegas Voice web site. If you have any questions as to how to complete it, feel free to contact me.
And unlike some predatory attorney’ schemes, the form and filing is free. Enjoy your summer and stay safe!
