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From the archives: Guardians for Profit
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LAST OF FOUR PARTS: L.A.'s public guardian, stripped of county funding for over a decade, turns away many in need. GRAPHIC: Little room for the needy
Lorraine Woodburn with her great-aunt, Pearl Inferrera, who at 83 became a ward of Los Angeles County. (Francine Orr / LAT)
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PART THREE
GUARDIANS FOR PROFITAnne L. Chavis, a churchgoing nurse, had sweeping power over wards' lives. It took years for the VA and others to rein her in.
PART TWO
GUARDIANS FOR PROFITProbate courts are supposed to watch conservators' conduct and discipline those who abuse their authority. They've failed dismally in this vital role.
PART ONE
GUARDIANS FOR PROFITConservators are supposed to protect the elderly and infirm. But some neglect their clients, isolate them -- even plunder their assets.
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Share Your Thoughts
Times reporters Evelyn Larrubia, Jack Leonard and Robin Fields invited readers to pose questions, offer insights and share their experiences.
About This Series
Caring for the aged and infirm was once a family affair. Now, it is a business. In documenting this change, reporters Robin Fields, Evelyn Larrubia and Jack Leonard and researcher Maloy Moore examined records of more than 2,400 cases handled by California's professional conservators since 1997. They also conducted hundreds of interviews - with probate lawyers, judges and independent experts as well as people under conservatorship and their loved ones.