He said in criminal cases, judges have a good sense of who would be the best lawyer for the defendant. But Supreme Court Justices Robert Young Jr., and Clifford Taylor said other large counties, such as Oakland and Kent, have third parties make such appointments, eliminating the appearance of conflict of interest. The value of the assignments in probate are more valuable to the lawyers. Professional guardians and conservators are appointed to older adults with dementia, people with mental illnesses or developmental disabilities and others. The guardians, named by probate court judges when a person needs assistance and there is no one else to rely on, have sweeping control over their wards' lives.
Guardians decide where a person lives and make all medical decisions.
Conservators control finances. Both bill their wards' accounts for their time and effort. The state does not license professional guardians, nor does it require minimal training or background checks. The courts are not required to audit the financial reports conservators file. No one makes sure guardians visit.