Lou Ann Anderson
Lou Ann Anderson is an advocate working to create awareness regarding the Texas probate system and its surrounding culture. She is the Online Producer at www.EstateofDenial.com and a Policy Advisor with Americans for Prosperity - Texas. Lou Ann may be contacted at info@estateofdenial.com.
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Articles by Lou Ann Anderson
August 12, 2009
While the public voices serious concerns about proposed socialized health care plans, a group likely to quietly be applauding this move are grave robbers, property poachers, walker stalkers and other opportunists seeking to loot estates via probate instruments like wills, trusts, guardianships and powers of attorney.
June 18, 2009
A Manhattan trial is underway in which Anthony Marshall, son of New York socialite and philanthropist Brooke Astor, and estate planning attorney Francis Morrissey, Jr., face charges of using undue influence and other fraudulent activities to divert more than $100 million of Astorīs estate to Marshall and away from long-standing charitable beneficiaries. This trial is noteworthy as Americans at all economic levels are being similarly targeted.
May 01, 2009
In life, Brooke Astor represented the best of New York high society exemplifying gracious living and philanthropic generosity. That she, in her last years, would become an alleged victim of elder abuse was unimaginable. And in death, Brooke is still making headlines as Anthony Marshall, her only child, is on trial for looting his motherīs estate of nearly $200 million. Similar grave robbing and property poaching acts are taking place across the U.S. Other targets are not celebrities, the estate values are far more modest, but Involuntary Redistribution of Assets (IRA) the use of probate venues or probate instruments (wills, trusts, guardianships and powers of attorney) to steal from the dead and disabled/incapacitated - is becoming a lucrative business with Americans of all economic levels at risk.
February 09, 2009
Lawyers or Grave Robbers? How wills, trusts or guardianships are used to divert assets in a manner contrary to the known wishes of a decedent or disabled/incapacitated person.
January 31, 2009
Inheritance rights are becoming an increasingly contentious issue here in the U.S. as growing numbers of Involuntary Redistribution of Assets (IRA) cases surface. That is, efforts to divert assets (via wills, trusts or guardianships) in a manner contrary to the known wishes of a decedent or disabled/incapacitated person. This is not a problem confined to the U.S. as evidenced by Diarmuid Hannigan, an Australian businessman, whose book Lawyers or Grave Robbers? describes looting actions perpetrated on his late mother´s estate. These acts are often prompted by a disgruntled family member or wannabe heir, but they can also occur at the hand (or in concert) with an unscrupulous lawyer.
December 21, 2008
The concentration of a retirement-age population can bring an element into a community predators seeking to operate within probate venues so as to divert estate assets from intended beneficiaries or heirs. In more simple terms, modern day looters and poachers intent on using the American legal system to steal property from the dead or disabled/incapacitated.
November 23, 2008
Involuntary Redistribution of Assets (IRA) actions found in high profile cases often parallel the looting acts perpetrated on estates of far less value. These high profile cases can establish precedents - both good and bad - that impact people at all levels of the economic spectrum. It´s important to understand these "infamous" cases as similar scenarios could play out in your life.
September 02, 2008
Bait-and-switch tactics have long been part of America´s commercial landscape. While routinely associated with retail categories ranging from electronics to cars, other industries including travel, real estate and even financial institutions (subprime lenders) have earned well-documented reputations for engaging in these actions. One having escaped the bait-and-switch tag yet increasingly deserving of the designation is the legal industry especially with regard to probate or estate issues.
August 09, 2008
Rights of inheritance, the tradition of designating heirs to receive property or other assets upon one´s death, are a long-standing American institution currently under assault. The term "dying wish" would not be ingrained into our culture were it not a time-honored tradition at least until now. Pre-empting or violating rights of inheritance is a disturbing new avenue for garnering financial resources.
July 11, 2008
Because the pool of those willing to exploit the elderly is endless, it is important to be aware of places and venues where today´s financial predators search for potential victims. The list might be surprising, but remember: the guise of community respectability, professional credibility, even enhanced morality or religiosity can be important entry points into the life of a predator´s next mark. With that, here is our list of where the looters and the poachers stalk prey.
June 16, 2008
While the American political system is certainly no friend to many honest, hard-working taxpayers, the impact of personal responsibility is an equally important determinant with regard to success (or lack of) in attaining the American Dream. Too many people sadly have a sense of entitlement and would rather blame government than themselves when they fall short of expectations. But people these days arenīt exclusive in wanting government money. A more realistic view indicates that many just want other peopleīs money - from wherever the best prospect for success arises.