Guardianship gives one person, a guardian, full control over the life — and life savings — of another person. Guardianship abuse is real, and the guardianship system needs real reform.
Senate Bill 1333 isn’t reform. The bill, which passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee with uncharacteristic haste, makes it easier for bad-apple guardians to take over the lives of the elderly and disabled.
The bill makes it optional for court- appointed attorneys to advocate for the wishes of clients facing involuntary guardianship — wishes that can include staying free and staying out of a nursing home. SB 1333 contains a giant loophole that invokes the Pennsylvania Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct. The Pennsylvania courts have said that the rules allow an attorney to argue for a guardianship. Many prominent attorneys, including members of the prestigious Uniform Law Commission, believe that court-appointed lawyers need to represent the wishes of a person facing the potential loss of fundamental civil rights.
Call your state senator and demand zealous advocacy for seniors and the disabled. Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Vote “no” to SB 1333.
Dr. Mary Dvorak
Harrison