They say they need a high volume because they're paid so little. The company has a staff of seven and about 250 guardian-only cases are in Wayne County, court officials said. About 195 are in Macomb County. Judges and probate registers say they have few choices. It's a big problem.
Some guardians say they unfairly get a bad reputation.
They say they are asked to step into sticky situations where sometimes families are fighting and accusations are flying. The wards resent losing their independence, and no one wants to move out of a home, the guardians argue. Walter Sakowski, a guardian for about 90 people in Wayne County, said such guardian and conservator cases make up about a third of his practice and take about 60 to 70 percent of his staff's time, but earn him just 5 percent of his income. If you want to limit mine, please, go ahead. The people that are qualified are overtaxed.