Opinion ID: 2160038
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Ruling on the Petition

Text: At the conclusion of Ms. Pollack's testimony, Mr. Teitelbaum again asked for a continuance to enable Rose Orshansky to testify, specifically with regard to the issue of a conservatorship. Judge Christian denied the request and, after hearing brief argument, ruled from the bench. The following day, the judge issued written findings of fact, conclusions of law, and orders. As one of several preliminary matters, Judge Christian stated that she had granted Ms. Pollack and her counsel permission to participate in the proceeding after determining that the best interests of Ms. Orshansky would be served thereby. In addition, the judge reiterated her ruling that the Superior Court had jurisdiction over the petition because Ms. Pollack's removal of her aunt to New York did not change the fact that Ms. Orshansky was domiciled in the District of Columbia. Turning to the predicates for appointing a permanent guardian and a permanent conservator, the judge found that Ms. Orshansky was incapacitated within the meaning of the guardianship statute and unable to care for herself or her property. The judge also found that Ms. Orshansky has property that will be wasted or dissipated unless property management is provided, and money is needed for the support, care and welfare of the said individual and protection is necessary or desirable to obtain and provide money. On the question of whom to appoint as guardian and conservator, Judge Christian stated that she credited the testimony of Mr. Jordan and Dr. Meyers, but found Ms. Pollack's testimony inconsistent and troubling in many respects. Although she [did] not doubt that the family loves [Ms. Orshansky], the judge questioned the family's actions and efforts to seek appropriate care and supervision for her. The judge found it troubling that Ms. Pollack and other relatives knew that Ms. Orshansky was having problems in the summer of 2000, yet did little to obtain care or supervision for her. The judge also was troubled that the family would rely on APS to take care of Ms. Orshansky in late 2001 without checking on her status  in contrast to Ms. Pollack's thorough follow up on Ms. Orshansky's care at the Hospital. Further, the judge found it troubling that Ms. Pollack did not investigate returning [Ms. Orshansky] to her cooperative apartment in the District of Columbia and establishing appropriate care for her in her home. Addressing the care that Ms. Pollack and the family provided to Ms. Orshansky after bringing her to New York, the judge noted with disapproval that the aide hired to attend Ms. Orshansky is apparently not certified to administer medications, despite the fact that [Ms. Orshansky] takes at least one medication, and does not take [Ms. Orshansky's] vital [signs] regularly, despite the fact that she has a history of infection which is detected by an increased body temperature. Moreover, the judge observed, when Mr. Jordan visited Ms. Orshansky in New York, he found her sleeping in a portable bed, without bed rails. The judge also faulted Ms. Pollack for not asking the aide how she would respond in an emergency, for not provid[ing] the physician in New York City with [Ms. Orshansky's] prior medical records, and for fail[ing] to have a physical therapist, an occupational therapist or dietician see her aunt. Finally, Judge Christian addressed Rose Orshansky's role as co-trustee of Mollie Orshansky's trust. The judge found that Rose Orshansky has a conflict with [Mollie Orshansky], because she lent funds to Ms. Orshansky that remain in the trust account and also was a residual beneficiary of the trust. In view of these findings and conclusions, Judge Christian appointed Mr. Jordan to be the general guardian and general conservator of Ms. Orshansky. The judge directed Mr. Jordan to return Ms. Orshansky to Washington, D.C., provide her with twenty-four hour care in her home, if feasible, and serve as co-trustee of Ms. Orshansky's trust in her stead. The judge ordered Ms. Pollack and other family members not to interfere with Mr. Jordan in the exercise of his fiduciary duties as conservator, and to turn over any financial documents relating to Ms. Orshansky forthwith.