Indiana guardianship registry prevents exploitation

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A new online registry that aims to protect elderly people and others in Indiana from being financially exploited by their court-appointed guardians is now being used by courts in more than half of the state's counties.

The registry helps courts monitor guardianship cases, while providing limited public access to further help protect people who are unable to manage their personal and/or financial affairs, The (Northwest Indiana) Times reported.

"There's a lot of positive benefits for something like this," said Lake County Superior Court Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider.

Porter County Superior Court Magistrate Mary DeBoer said court reviews of guardianship cases ensure that a protected person's funds are being used appropriately.

"These protected persons are vulnerable to physical and financial exploitation, so it is particularly important to protect these protected persons and their assets from harm," DeBoer said.

She said the registry also helps the courts keep track of statistics related to their guardianship cases. DeBoer estimated that the number of cases will increase as baby boomers age.

She said the idea for the registry was created by herself and the other members of the Indiana Adult Guardianship State Task Force several years ago.

Erica Costello, a staff attorney at the Adult Guardianship Office at the Indiana Office of Court Services, said 56 of Indiana's 92 counties are currently taking part in the voluntary registry.

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Information from: The Times, http://www.nwitimes.com