Would a financial POA be required to pay attorney services hired by the principle?

GD, I would think that her funds could be used to challenge this guardianship, but under the circumstances, I don't know how you could access them. I think there might be another way to get started on saving GM, though.

Research well and find an attorney with experience in challenging guardianships. Explain the financial situation; ask about access to her funds to pay the attorney's fee. A retainer might be required; can your family provide that?

An alternate option is injunctive relief. Ask any attorney you hire if it's feasible to get an injunction against the temp guardian.

Also, if elder or financial abuse can be proven, it might be possible to enjoin the temp guardian from further financial activity. That's why an attorney with experience in contested guardianships is the best choice to handle this kind of situation.

Involve the police on the opioid issue; tell them about the medical discovery of opioids which were never prescribed but are in her system. That'll give the police an opportunity for criminal investigation, which would strengthen the challenge of temporary guardianship. That also could be grounds for injunction.

Raise the question of whether the temp guardian himself has a history of drug activity; it might be that this is a modus operandi for him. If he does have a history, it'll strengthen the case for his removal.

What DO you know about his background? Has he done this before?

I honestly don't know how easy or difficult it is to contest a guardianship that's temporary, but I think that it should be done ASAP before this person does any further medical damage to her.

BTW, was he involved with her before she showed signs of dementia?

You can also file a complaint with the state bar association's grievance committee against the attorney who handled the proceeding.

You need to have your Grandma ask for a DIFFERENT court appointed counsel since the first one did not fulfill his/her duty and did not show to court on her behalf. I am not sure what the procedure is for this so your Grandma may need to hire a second attorney to make this request. Any attorney that acts on your Grandma's behalf should be paid from HER MONEY no matter who currently has control of it.

Hire an Elder Care Attorney for your Grandma as they know more about Elder Abuse and POA and guardianship for the Elderly. Good Luck.

Someone: a man that has been "caring" for her was discovered to be her abuser. After my mother obtained medical POA, he petitioned the court for guardianship.

Allegations include that he forces her to take opioids in excess (medical tests confirm in system, not proscribed) and physically shakes her.

My mother and aunt are petitioning for guardian with paid counsel.

Grandma's court appointed counsel did not show to court on her behalf. When statement was taken, grandma did not have her faculties (did not know she had children, thought she had sisters and wanted to return to her abuser)

Could Grandma hire counsel with her money that her POA has possession of even though the case is against him?

Someone (who?: __________________) petitioned for POA or guardianship of your Grandma and the court appointed "Attorney Ad Lidem" decided to give temporary guardianship back to her original financial POA. You think that the original financial POA abused your grandma because he/she did _____________________________ (what?) to your Grandma. So now you, the granddaughter, and _______________________?? want to petition to be your Grandma's guardian. Who will pay for this second petition for guardianship? Most likely--YOU WILL have to pay for the second petition for guardianship. Your grandma usually pays for the "Attorney Ad Lidem".

What was the statement that was taken while she (your Grandma?) did not have her faculties ( AKA: capabilities—abilities—functions) due to dementia?