The Price of Care: Investigating California Conservatorships | 'Civil Death' (Ep. 1 of 5)

Many have heard of conservatorships recently by way of Britney Spears or the Golden Globe winning Netflix film, “I Care a Lot.” But the concept of a conservatorship--or guardianship--dates to Roman times.
Today, conservatorships are when another person is court-appointed to help someone who cannot take care of themselves. It’s a powerful position. When a conservator is appointed, they gain control over another person’s life - what they eat, who they see, where they live, what medical care they receive -all while handling their money and assets.
As the baby boomer generation ages, conservatorships are becoming more common for one of our most vulnerable demographics: our elderly. And while many conservatorships do help those who need it, our year-long investigation found a system that controls a massive amount of other people’s money - just under $13 billion in California alone -- as well as personal freedom, with little oversight from state regulators, opening the door to potential financial, physical and emotional abuse.
Conservatorships in California: Everything you need to know: www.abc10.com/...
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[@vickieself4762]

The mere fact that a person deemed incapacitated to the point that they need a guardian or conservator completely unrelated to them, can come in and in the court to change this incapacitated persons trust, that has been in place for years or they were deemed incapacitated shows that this is all about the money.. AGAIN I ASK HOOOOWWWWW IS THIS HAPPENING IN AMERICA??

[@protectingyourself4263]

Most corrupt system ever. Our neighbors were put under a conservatorship and no one knows why, since no family was allowed in the hearing. It makes no sense. Their daughter had been, and still is, their 24/7/365 caregiver for several years and, by all accounts, she was devoted, attentive, and had not taken a dime of their money, despite several attorneys' attempts to discover that she had. The daughter retired early and sold her house in another state to take care of them. She played a recording for us, of one of the conservators, a very young woman, threatening to evict her from her parents' home if she complains about the system in public. It's eerie listening to this young woman tell her "they'll deem you unstable". Not only does she no longer get to choose who does repairs or maintenance on their house and yard, she doesn't even KNOW what they're charging for it. She has begged and pleaded with some contractors to tell her. Of those who were willing to tell her, she found out that they're now paying 4x-5x what they had been paying for everything when she got to choose. Imagine having to pay $1000 to have your leaves removed from your lawn when you had been paying $200.

[@SidewaysandSugar]

I am disgusted I paid 75,000 to go to school and live in San Diego California and was put into a conservatorship because of a lacking medical system brought on by paradise valley hospital and sharp grossmont hospital. I was seeking mental health treatment. I was accused of homelessness when I actually never was. I was a digital artist , musically and visually. Now I find it difficult to get back to where I was due to the fact I lived under conservatorship. I was beaten up at Sharp Grossmont by a nurse. I was repeatedly given shots just because I started to talk. They shot me up so many times. They put me into the psych ward after they shot me up with something that blacked me out. Conservatorship is wrong. Hospitals are getting rich off of people by disabling them in the first place. They make you sign hippa forms in order for you not to complain or make your issues public. They are ripping people away from their families.

[@bliaher9839]

I'm from the area too. The probate court is so corrupt. From the conservatorship clinic to the judges...they're all in on the scheme.

[@vickieself4762]

How could any Court representative or physician determine what is best in relation to an elderly person's relationship with their own children and family? This poor woman is spending the rest of her life with essentially no relationship or connection to her own children. How in the f*** is this legal?

[@bliaher9839]

Because the public don't believe until it happens to them. Or they just don't care. There is no accountability. They have immunity.

[@christianmilano6684]

I had never heard of a conservatorship or guardianship until I learned more about the case of Britney Spears. The more I learn about these, the more I learn about how easy it is to abuse the system and how corrupt it seems to actually be. This investigate series is super interesting; great work on helping to bring this issue to the forefront! Hopefully more reform can come to this system.

[@astorybook1738]

Britney said every time she would try to get a new lawyer, they would monitor her phone to see who she was texting/calling. That is sick

[@internetapothecary8646]

Terrifying. Thanks for helping expose this.

[@honeypath]

Now we have to hope ethical honest people will stand up to the corruption. These people should be in jail.

[@internetapothecary8646]

@@honeypath It feels like there is a refusal from people in power to acknowledge this, and that serious change may not happen until ordinary people protest and get loud about it. It shouldn't take that for issues as glaring as this to be sorted.

[@CLRaider]

I knew I was in a trapping situation. but I didn't understand why. and I didn't know it was common. like Britney, I am trapped. I can't live my life. everyday, the first thing I think of when I wake up is "i'm still alive?" in a disappointing voice. Hoping I would die in my sleep. The system and my family treat me like a second class citizen. I just want to be able to get a job without losing benefits. I want to be able to date/get marry without losing my benefits. I honestly thought this was "normal" until Britney herself point it out that it's not. Don't hate on me, I'm learning. I might not understand WHY I was trapped but I understood well enough that it didn't feel right. I'm only 27 and I see no future for me.

[@austinduncan6585]

My Mothers trust was completely changed. Most alarming is there is a new section where now the trustee, Mrs. Young can make "elections to the Judges retirement fund" Now why do you think my Mother all of a sudden felt the need for Mrs. Young to give money to Judges?????

[@bliaher9839]

🙏 how do we stop this?

[@austinduncan6585]

@@bliaher9839 File a claim for Trespassing on your Rights

[@madfairy]

Maybe conservatorships started with the right though behind but we now see a lot of mistreatment and people taking advantage of the loopholes in court

[@jillshannon8736]

No loopholes, just outright approval from the courts for third-party conservators to conduct themselves as they please.

[@andulka2212]

#freeBritney I can't believe that this is happening to Britney!!! She's only 39 years old!!!! I feel SO sorry for all of them honestly. It's so DISGUSTING!

[@jillshannon8736]

Britney fans: please, please open your eyes to the scope of conservatorship abuse. It is SOOOOOO much larger in scope than her single case. Glad however, for any amount of light that can be shed on this cruel and criminal industry.

[@jordanking6939]

It is very disgusting. I think what's also not shared that she's a 39 year old multimillionaire where she wanted to get her affairs in order decades ago which ran its course.

[@brandorando6377]

You think Brittany has it bad....

[@FarmerAndBoheme]

I am absolutely disgusted! How can Carolyn Young look at herself in the mirror!?! Thankfully we are in a time of accelerated accountability...may their karma bite them in the *ss sooner than later. Brightest blessings to all of the families that are caught up in this horrific corruption.

[@jillshannon8736]

Carolyn Young purports to all to have "Christian values", attending mass in Davis, CA every Sunday. Bet her priest doesn't know how she makes a living.

[@honeypath]

It is horrific. They are powerful so it will be interesting to see if anyone holds them accountable. Thank you for you kind work and caring. People like you will make a positive difference in this world.

[@smokefre]

How can Carolyn Young look at herself in the mirror? Her two children, Zack and Lindsey are working for her and doing the same thing and are just as bad as she is. I guess they see all the wealth their mother has accumulated and want that for themselves with no regard to the elders and families they destroy to accomplish it. I do believe it's called greed. Her other son, Casey is an attorney who, by the way, was found guilty of elder financial abuse a few years ago, so he moved to the Los Angeles area to work for a while. He's back now and from what I understand, he is also working for his mother. Don't forget that Young is represented by her attorney, Tosh Yamamoto. They've worked together since 1970 and they have become very rich!

[@FarmerAndBoheme]

I wish I could be present when Carolyn Young and her dirty offspring meets their maker. I would like to think there is a special place in eternity reserved for slime like them.

[@FarmerAndBoheme]

@@jillshannon8736 No amount of Mass is going to save her from the dirty deeds she continues to inflict on people. And, I’m sure the hefty donations to her church keeps her in their good graces. In the end she is the one who will suffer the most. It couldn’t come soon enough.

[@kimberlush013]

#FreeBritney #EndConservatorshipAbuse

[@alexandraisyak8769]

What a rip off. Thank you for exposing this.

[@feleciaclemons5074]

Thank you. I've always wanted to know more on this topic.

[@BionAvastar3000]

#FreeBritney #ENDCONSERVATORSHIPABUSE

[@GirlScoutC00kiezZzMmhhmm]

Lassen County Courts put my baby brother into PG/PC, he died and was found in the Sacramento River by a fisherman a few years later.

[@debrak841]

How did Lisa Saal's mother get caught up in a Conservatorship if she had an estate plan? How can a court allow an elderly person's estate plan be changed after the death of their spouse? The episode did not specify what changes were made, so just curious if there were major changes made by Carolyn Young. Very disturbing how someone can take over your life this way.

[@madfairy]

Similar to Britney Spears, in 2004 she created a trust fund where the majority of her assets were, she also had a will and appointed her uncle and a lawyer to make sure it all went according to her plan. Her father took over and now controls everything, they don't even need to report what they do with her trust fund money, many fans believe they are draining her money and this is why they are fighting so hard to keep her in the conservatorship.

[@honeypath]

If you have an estate, you are at risk. Young coerced my mother to make changes and add her name to her bank accounts. This destroyed my mother. She did not want to live as a prisoner or ‘nonperson. ‘. These people are ruthless. They are masters at creating family conflict and make up reasons why they need control. Then estates get depleted. If you go against them, they often forbid you from seeing a loved one.

[@honeypath]

@@jillshannon8736 Jill, I am so sorry to hear this. Did you know you are not alone? Do you know any people is this report, Be sure to watch all of the series and reach out to one of us. Most just cannot believe this is possible. Have you talked to the reporter?

[@beanstalk2449]

A longterm estate plan can be blown up, as was the case when one of my siblings pressured another to have Carolyn Young appointed as conservator of the person and the estate. My mother's wishes, established decades prior, were wholly disregarded. Young has depleted my mother's trust, over $3,000,000 in four years.

[@debrak841]

@@beanstalk2449 Where are the CHECKS & BALANCES to guard against this outrageous abuse in California? If a Legislature's own family members had been a victim of this scam, I bet you would see immediate action taken to prevent any licensed FOR-PROFIT Private Fiduciary from taking advantage of vulnerable elders in the twilight of life. After working to save their estates these families' inheritances are being plucked apart.

[@quietmaiden]

Wow, so this system is really a crime ring that is allowed to keep going...I see how it really is..Humanity at it's best, huh caring for someone who can't care for themselves, but really help themselves like no better than greedy leeches.

[@HelLo-gd4ni]

#FreeBritney #EndConservatorshipAbuse ♥️♥️♥️

[@jk7140]

No matter which rug you turn over in this country it seems there are a million cockroaches too proud to scatter. It seems we'll never come to our senses independently but I'm glad we're documenting some of it so future generations can know why never to take our ideas of how to run a government and economy seriously. I feel so terrible for all the elderly hijacked and held hostage. Just disgraceful.

[@eth070911]

Anyone is legally allowed to petition for conservatorship, the children are allowed. Conservatorship DOES NOT have to be done by 3rd party. It’s not fair to blame the conservator when the children aren’t taking matters into their own hands.

[@jillshannon8736]

You haven't the faintest idea what you're spewing. Children in the cases involving fiduciary Carolyn Young absolutely contested the petitions and sought competing conservatorship petitions for family members.

[@bfreenstrongerfreebritney1814]

Thank you so much for investigate #FreeBritney #FreeCharlieThrash #FreeAmanda #EndConservatorshipAbuse

[@1209Misty]

This is what is happening to my family

[@debbiestrong1208]

I am so sorry. We were victims of this crime too and lost our home that my husband built, his mother lost her home and was put away and drugged in a home to die. It's sickening and definitely a crime!

[@GirlScoutC00kiezZzMmhhmm]

"Gravely disabled" is the term they use.

[@rowynn5484]

Free Linda Duncan!!!!!!!!!

[@ProductShroomz]

Thank you for this #freebritney #endconservatorshipabuse

[@MelissaLabudis]

This is the truth I went through this myself with my grandmother 150,000 in a very short period of time when you have greedy relatives and they take their relatives to court the court will appoint somebody independent of your family more times than not especially if you have money they'll tell you that you're not fit to do it the problem is after they clean them out and they're not worth anything to them anymore then all of a sudden the family is eligible to take care of them it's disgusting and it's criminal and this needs to be abolished

[@Que772]

As Christians, we know this is morally wrong and all those professional wicked hearted people will reap what they sow. People tend to forget that one day you will get old too if you live that long.

[@jillshannon8736]

Nothing to do with Christians or the man in the sky, non-believing persons also know right from wrong.

[@chrislanning1514]

Free Linda Duncan!

[@rosalbadelriogarcia9598]

Mom and Dad's need to give their money away to each child or literally to strangers. Reform came too late.

[@eth070911]

This reporter needs to do a report on the neglect that has occurred to cause the conservatorship. Neglect or abuse.

[@MelissaLabudis]

This is truly an outrage and a crime this should not even be permitted in our country this is a prison

[@eth070911]

Also, Public Conservators don’t make any money off conservatees, any fees for work done goes to the County. Private conservators might but if the child did the conserving they too could charge fees.

[@austinduncan6585]

The conservador in Linda Duncan case is her own daughter!!!

[@jillshannon8736]

Please shed light on this issue by sharing far and wide. #CAConservatoshipAbuse

[@carlac4721]

Please contact me this is going on within my family currently right now but with my gravely disabled family member who has lived with me since 2008 she is my daughter-in-law's sister I need some help and I don't know where to reach out to... I have reached out before and people won't talk to me they say it is a scary situation yes I understand I'm living it

[@carlac4721]

But mine is not about interstate mine is about the person herself trafficking

[@gmartinsreal]

#FreeBritney #EndConservatorshipAbuse

[@g1t4b9]

#FreeBritney #EndConservatorshipAbuse

[@jillshannon8736]

Britney fans: please, please open your eyes to the scope of conservatorship abuse. It is SOOOOOO much larger in scope than her single case. Glad however, for any amount of light that can be shed on this cruel and criminal industry.

[@freebritneynorway]

#FreeBritney #EndConservatorshipAbuse

[@jillshannon8736]

@CathrineDeatonHeiba Britney fans: please, please open your eyes to the scope of conservatorship abuse. It is SOOOOOO much larger in scope than her single case. Thankful however, for any amount of light that can be shed on this cruel and criminal industry.

[@freebritneynorway]

@@jillshannon8736 I do @freebritneynorway over on instagram. The Free Britney movement is for enlightening on these matters, not just Britney Spears. It's completely horrendous to say about this very cruel and criminal industry. It is completely insane!