I will say a prayer for you, OP – this sounds like a complicated situation.
Who is this third party that has been granted legal guardianship of your father if your stepmother is of sound mind to make decisions? Does he reside in some sort of assisted living environment?
When you say that your stepmother has a history of financially exploiting incapacitated men, do you have definitive proof of this? And if so, did you bring it before court and what did the judge say?
We obviously don’t know the details of the situation here, but it seems strange that this woman is allowed to prevent contact from your father’s own children (provided that there is no history of abuse from the children, or other decisive factors). I’m curious as to what the attorneys you’ve approached have said. Was your father of sound mind when he *entered *into the marriage (big difference)? I like the suggestion of hiring a private detective to record instances of neglect (such as leaving an elderly person in a hot car with the windows rolled up) – have you approached any to see if they would be willing to work out a payment plan of sorts? Could the members of your parish possibly offer any help?
What about the townfolk – if you say that many people have observed your father being mistreated, have you approached any of them to serve as witnesses, or provide affidavits?
I’m terribly sorry that you’re having to go through this.
I’m sorry, I just saw this. I’ve been ill since I’m disabled. The courts awarded the third party to be guardians because of money. Like I said, there is no law in our County. I had to fight against 4 Attorneys pro se and why the Judge still let my Dad and this woman remain married is a mystery to my family. We still think it’s about money and found out the Attorneys play golf together. The Attorney who was against the wife did not push very hard to rid the marriage. (He was representing the third party) He didn’t push very hard against anything except for the 3rd party to be legal guardians which the Judge granted.
Plus, I can’t afford 5.00 to pay for milk much less hire a Detective. And the one I talked to talked to the Attorneys and told me he couldn’t help me.
Sorry, to say the neighbors don’t want to get involved even though they have had dealings with this woman. I think she does things to me because I stand up to her. They are afraid of her. I’ve seen it. Just like a Deputy Sheriff told me, Daddy’s wife is always one step ahead of the law and knows how to work the system. If I had money, honestly, I would be listened to but I don’t have any. That is it in a hand basket.
What she has done to me should be written in book or I should go on a talk show. All the abuse and bullying plus more. She accused me of enticing children of damaging her property and I did no such thing. Went to court over it and the case was thrown out in 3 minutes. She had no proof and I did. Plus, my Caregiver had gone with me and when Daddy’s wife lost, my Dad’s wife told the Judge that it was my Caregiver who damaged her property. I thought my Caregiver was going to faint. She told the Judge she had never seen the Accuser in her life! True. Judge said if we had any trouble with that woman when we WALKED out of the courtroom to let him know. We didn’t. Yet, the Judge won’t help me unless I pay him $10,000 legal fees to get a case going. If I had $10,000, I would move out of here.
Since then, my Caregiver was having her picture taken by my Dad’s wife all the time and once in a store by herself, my Dad’s wife happened to be there, went up to my Caregiver and told my Caregiver that she was going to put my Caregiver in jail. My Caregiver is scared of that woman and changed jobs. The Caregiver had also become my best friend. I know Daddy’s wife ran her off. I tried to get my friend to not be scared of her but she couldn’t I guess. It’s understandable. I’m not. No, not all and I’m disabled and not very tall.
I feel I don’t have a voice and it’s true that short people have a hard time with Authority and respect from some people. There’s been research done on that and it’s true. I think if I were taller, I’d have a voice and if I had money, I certainly would be heard. Sorry to say that too but afraid it’s true.
Friend, it happens all the time. If you were to talk to someone, I bet they would have a similar story. It’s more common than you think…of men and women taking advantage of incapacitated and vulnerable people only for money. It’s a con that has been going on for years.
When I call the 3rd party to get a Supervised visit, Daddy’s Guardian hangs up on me.
I haven’t seen my Daddy in a year.
Thank you for caring. I wish I could find an Advocate for the Disabled who would listen but the ones I’ve talked to won’t listen to this either. Unless it’s to get on Disability.
One last thing. If Daddy had his right mind, he would never have married this woman who won’t let his children and the third party see him. OH. Plus, now his mind is being brainwashed against us by this woman. I actually think Daddy being as old as he is, is afraid of her. This I found out from my brother.
Please pray, God is bigger than all of this. Pray too, she changes her heart and the third party also.
God bless you abundantly,
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