MICHIGAN GUARDIANSHIP ASSOCIATION
Statement on Elder Abuse Task Force Legislation
October 13, 2023
First and foremost, the membership of the Michigan Guardianship Association condemns any form of abuse, be it financial, physical or mental, that targets elders or other vulnerable citizens.
The Michigan Guardianship Association is the statewide association for professional guardians. We represent 185 members, of which 140 are actual guardians, and we serve approximately 15,000 individuals of this state. Our professional members are appointed by and operate under the direct supervision of Michigan’s Probate Judges.
MGA believes the current guardianship system in the State of Michigan needs major reform and should be improved and strengthened to the benefit of Michigan’s most vulnerable. MGA has worked to introduce bills regarding Professional Guardian certification for the past two years as a way of starting that reform.
However, the legislation from the Elder Abuse Task Force in its current form is not the right way to go about reforming the system and risks putting the very people who you are trying to help in greater danger than the status quo.
MGA submitted 16 suggested amendments and improvements to this legislation a few weeks ago and the majority of these amendments have not been addressed.
MGA fully intends to continue engage with the legislators and work to improve these bills as they move through the legislative process.
MICHIGAN GUARDIANSHIP ASSOCIATION
Statement on Elder Abuse
August 6th, 2019
First and foremost, the membership of the Michigan Guardianship Association condemns any form of abuse, be it financial, physical or mental, that targets elders or other vulnerable citizens.
Since 1989, the Michigan Guardianship Association has been the premier initiator for the advancement of legislative reform, guardianship certification, education, and the promotion of best practices for the protection of vulnerable individuals. Our professional members are appointed by and operate under the direct supervision of Michigan’s Probate Judges.
Occasionally the public may hear stories about guardians brought to light by media personalities looking to boost ratings with sensationalized headlines. These isolated incidences of an alleged abuse of an individual or a claimed manipulation of the court system do not reflect the standard of practice among professional guardians. The Michigan Guardianship Association supports full investigation into allegations of misconduct so that the perpetrators of elder abuse may be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
The Michigan Guardianship Association welcomes examination of our standard business practices from policy makers, in fact, the Michigan Guardianship Association is an active member of Attorney General Dana Nessel’s Elder Abuse Task Force and will remain diligent in our efforts to protect those who cannot protect themselves.