There was an absolutely astonishing article published last week in the New Yorker written by Ronan Farrow and Jia Tolentino which details allegations surrounding the court-imposed conservatorship over the legal affairs of singer Britney Spears. Click here to read the entire article. The abuses alleged - if true - are absolutely shocking.
If you are wondering how a court can effectively strip an adult of their legal capacity to conduct their own business, you are not alone. Many people are unaware that each state has a mechanism by which a court can impose such an arrangement after a petition has been filed in court, followed by a streamlined litigation process. In Pennsylvania, this mechanism is called Guardianship. A guardianship, if granted, essentially strips an adult of the ability to make decisions over their own financial, business and health matters.
Fortunately, the rules of court that govern Guardianship litigation (known as the Orphans Court rules) are fairly robust and designed to prevent abuse of the system. However, a Guardianship matter is an extremely serious one and if you are involved in such a matter either as a Petitioner or an Alleged Incapacitated Person, you should seek legal advice immediately.