Category: BOOKS

As the population ages the issues of the elderly become more widespread and crucial. Rescuing Ruby is a factual detailed story of a daughter’s struggle with guardianship abuse. This is the true account of the events that lead to the near destruction of her family at the hands of her cousins, Jewish Family Services of West Palm Beach, Florida and one of the most powerful Elder Law attorneys in South Florida. It is a warning of a legal system which is out of control. Families become victims of judges and attorneys in nearly every state in the U.S. Guardianship was designed as a last resort to protect our most vulnerable citizens, yet, as this book will reveal, it has now become an easy source of corruption, legalized theft and, in some cases, court sanctioned murder. Once a person is put into guardianship, they have less constitutional rights than a serial killer sitting on death row. The victim is put into a nursing home, or worse, isolated from their family, and denied any contact or visitation, by order of the guardian in order to “protect” their “ward”. The family’s estate is now controlled by the guardian, so they do not have the funds to hire an attorney, and attorneys won’t take on these cases because they know the cards are stacked against them, even before they file their first motion. The only way to end the cycle is to recognize it before it happens and avoid falling into the trap. Read this book and know that if this nightmare can happen to a loving, innocent family, it can happen to you. Read More

Get a behind the scenes look at adult guardianships… What are the pros and cons, risks, and rewards to consider when someone in your family files for guardianship? Pankauski’s Guardianship Guide provides a first-hand view of the stark reality of what it means when one of your family members claims that you are incapacitated, incompetent, or unable to manage your affairs. In those circumstances, you may find yourself in a guardianship court, represented or opposed by someone like guardianship litigation lawyer John Pankauski. Spouses, adult children and loved ones: learn what goes on behind the scenes at guardianship courts when family members fight to control mom or dad and their money. This book explains guardianships in an easy- to-understand, direct and straightforward approach. – How the guardianship court is one of the new battlegrounds of the “fight for your wealth” – Sisters fighting with brothers, brothers fighting with in-laws, second and third spouses fighting with everybody over whether a senior family member can manage his or her own affairs or not – Who is going to control all that money and property – The unique role of a power of attorney, or trustee, of someone’s living trust and why they get special attention in the guardianship court – The secrets behind how a guardianship may not be needed, even if someone is incapacitated and incompetent John Pankauski is the managing member of Pankauski Hauser PLLC (www.phflorida.com), a boutique litigation and appellate law firm in West Palm Beach, Florida. The firm handles guardianship, probate, and business trials and appeals throughout Florida. Now, after years of representing clients in Florida guardianship courts, Pankauski takes you through the battle grounds and minefields of guardianships. Read More