Help for court-appointed conservators in MichiganMANAGING - PDF document

Help for court-appointed conservators in
Help for court-appointed conservators in MichiganMANAGINGHELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICAcknowledgementshis guide was adapted from the rotection Bureau’s (Managing Someone Else’s Moneylderlaw linic, Western Michigan niversity ooley aw chool prepared this guide with the support from rea rust and oundation to include information about Michigan state law resources. B has not reviewed or approved the content in this B does not endorse the nal product. Michigan professionals who worked on this guide are rofessor Kimberly eary, atricia Mock, regory rzybylo, oetz J.asquez J.r. Janet enter for erontology for the Western Michigan niversity ooley aw n electronic version can be found at: https://protectmymoneymi.org/lse’s Money in Michigan is supported by the revent ulnerable buse, xploitation, oday (nitiative state fund grant awarded to lderlaw linic from the ervices gency/ervices (AASAhe information or content are those of the authors and should not be construed as the ocial position or policy of, nor should any ocial endorsement be inferred by the AASAANAGINGWhat’s insideWhy read this guide?What is a duciary?onservator questions and answersFour basic types of rules for a duciary Rules about making you act only in Martin’s best interest. Rules about carefully managing Martin’s money and property. Rules about keeping Martin’s money and property separate from your money and property. Rules about keeping good records.More things you should knowWhat if there are other duciaries?overnment benets require special duciaries .......................How can y

ou avoid problems with family or friends
ou avoid problems with family or friends? ...................What should you know about working with professionals?Watch out for nancial exploitationook for these common signs of nancial exploitationWhat can you do if Martin has been exploited?Be on guard for consumer scamsHow can you protect Martin from scams?What can you do if Martin has been scammed?Where to go for helpocal and state agenciesolice or ederal agenciesor accounting helpHELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICWhy read this guide? ike many people, you may never have been a conservator of someone else’s property before. hat’s why we created Managing someone else’s money: Help for court-appointed conservators in Michigan.his guide will help you understand what you can and cannot do in your role as a court-appointed conservatorn this role, you are a or this guide, a duciary is a legal term. t is anyone named to manage money or property for someone else according to the law. he law has many rules saying what the duciary can do, may do, or absolutely cannot do with the money or property. he legal rules come from statutes, court decisions and agency rules and regulations.Because the rules about duciaries are very complicated, this guide provides brief tips to help you avoid problems, and to give you resources for nding more information. guide does not provide legal advice. his guide is for family and friends serving as a court-appointed conservator, not for professionals or organizations. his guide does not teach you how to become a court-appointed conservator. You should talk to a lawyer if you have questions about the

legal rules and your role as a duc
legal rules and your role as a duciary.Let’s start with a scenario about how you might have become a conservator.Your family member or friend may not be able to make sound decisions about his money or property. or this guide, let’s call him “Martin.” fter a hearing, the court has appointed you conservator of Martin’s property. “onservators” are agents who manage the nancial and/or business aairs of people who cannot do it for themselves. You now have the duty and specic power to make decisions about Martin’s money and property. f you are appointed conservator of Martin’s property, the court has given you a lot of responsibility. You are responsible for the care and management of his money and property. n Michigan, the conservator must take reasonable care of Martin’s possessions (house, land, vehicles, furniture and other real or personal property). nder Michigan law “reasonable care” includes protecting and preserving assets, it may involve selling Marvin’s property. f Marvin is mentally or physically incapacitated, he may be especially vulnerable to nancial abuse. s his conservator, you are bound to manage Marvin’s property to promote his best interest. f you think it is in Marvin’s best interest to sell or otherwise dispose of his property you must obtain court permission to do this. s a conservator you are now a duciary with duciary duties.ANAGINGWhat is a duciary? ince you have been named to manage money or property for someone else, you are a duciary. he law requires you to manage Martin’s money for H

benet, not yours. does not matter i
benet, not yours. does not matter if you are managing a lot of his money or a little. t does not matter if you are a family member or not. he role of the duciary is a serious one with strict rules. Judges or agencies or even the police can make sure you follow the rules. Breaking the rules could mean you are removed from your role, have to repay money, and/or even go to jail.When you act as a duciary for Martin, the rules fall into four basic types: Rules about making you act only in Martin’s best interest. Rules about carefully managing Martin’s money and property. Rules about keeping Martin’s money and property separate from your money and property. Rules about keeping good records.REMEMBER: IT’S NOT YOUR MONEY!Dierent types of duciaries existn your role as a conservator, you may act as or deal with hese may include: Trustees under a revocable living trustthem to manage money and property.Representative payees or, for veterans, VA duciariesgovernment agency names them to manage government money that is paid to an incapacitated person.Agents under a power of attorneyagent to manage their money and property as directed. ther guides explaining the duties of these duciaries are at: www.consumernance.gov/money.HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICConservator questions and answers What is a conservator? conservator is someone the court names to manage money and property for someone the court has found cannot manage it alone or at all. ometimes a conservator is also appointed as guardian. guardian makes Martin’s health care and other personal ometimes a d

ierent person is appointed to be th
ierent person is appointed to be the guardian, or Martin himself may still be able to make his guide only covers duties of the court-appointed conservator. erms can dier. n the rest of the guide we use conservator, but it means the same thing as court-appointed conservator., Martin’s money and property is called his estateA person under conservatorship may be called a wardincapacitatedprotected personWhat are your responsibilities as a conservator?s conservator you have a double duty—both to Martin, the person you are serving, and to the court. Duty to MartinYou must always keep Martin’s best interests in mind. managing his money, you must act for his good and not for your own good. s much as possible, involve Martin in Duty to the CourtYou are an agent of the court. he court has trusted you to carry out your duties. You are accountable for your actions and must report to the court regularly, and be ready to answer any questions about managing Martin’s money or property.When do your responsibilities end?Your responsibilities as Martin’s conservator last until the court relieves you of your duties. he court may do this because someone else has been appointed conservator, Martin has died, or Martin no longer needs a conservator.Don’t expect others to know what a conservator is hey may not understand that you have been appointed by the court. hey may think you have more authority or less authority than you really have. You may need to educate them. You could show a copy of the court order appointing you because the court order should detail your authority.ANAGINGFour basic types of rules for a &#

31;duciary Rules about making you act on
31;duciary Rules about making you act only in Martin’s best interest. Because you are dealing with Martin’s money and property, your duty is to make decisions that are best for him. his means you must ignore your own interests and needs, or the interests and needs of other people. o help act in Martin’s best interest, follow these guidelines: Read the court order.n Michigan, your powers and duties as Martin’s conservator are reduced to a written directive—the court order. conservator possesses only the powers granted by the court and is only subject to the duties imposed by court order. ome court orders may be specic, while others may be very general. ead the court order closely, and talk to a lawyer if you don’t understand it. • , the ward is entitled to legal representation, particularly where there is a need to sell or transfer real property (house or land). sk questions and learn all you can about what you should do—and what you should not do.Do what the court order says—and don’t do what it says you should not do.conservator is limited to the specic authority granted and duties imposed by court order. t is important that you not act beyond what the court order allows, and that you carry out the basic tasks necessary to obey the order. Your powers may be limited to certain actions or certain amounts of money. You may need to get the court to approve ven if you have the best intentions, follow the court order. As much as possible, involve Martin in decisions. Many things can aect your decisions. or example, you might feel pressure from others. Martin’s abilities

to make decisions might change from time
to make decisions might change from time to time, or maybe Martin was never able to make decisions about his money and property. onsider these three steps:First, ask Martin what he wants. Michigan law says you have to ask Martin what he wants if you can. He may be able to decide some things. f so, take this into account, especially if it is similar to his thinking in the past and the risk of harm to him is measured. or example, if Martin wants to handle money, see if he can manage a small bank account or a monthly cash allowance. oing this will let him oversee a set amount, and you will limit the risk to that amount. s conservator, it is your responsibility to protect Martin’s estate.Second, try to nd out what Martin would have wanted.ook at any past decisions, actions, and statements. ind as much information as you can. sk people who care about Martin what they think he would have wanted. Make the decision you think that Martin would have made, unless doing so would harm him. Third, do what you think is best for Martinf you have looked hard and still don’t know what Martin would have wanted—or if he could never make decisions about HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICmoney and property—use your judgment about what is best. ut Martin’s well-being above saving money for others who may inherit his money and property. Make sure that he is safe and comfortable, and his needs are met. Avoid conicts of interest. conict of interest happens if you make a decision about Martin’s property that may benet someone else at Martin’s expense. Because you were appointed by the cour

t, you have a strict duty to avoid con&#
t, you have a strict duty to avoid conicts of interest—or even the appearance of a conict of interest. ry to keep an “arm’s length distance” between your interests and any use of Martin’s money or property. Don’t borrow, loan, or give Martin’s money to yourself ven if the court order clearly allows gifts to you or others, Bsually, the court must approve gifts or loans. or example, if Martin gave money every year to a charity, the court may allow you to continue doing that.Avoid changing Martin’s plans for giving away his money or property when he dies. here may be rare situations when changing Martin’s plans is in his best interest. But you should get legal advice and approval from the court before you do anything. Don’t pay yourself for the time you spend acting as Martin’s conservator, unless the court allows you to do so.f you are allowed to pay yourself, get legal advice, check with the court, and carefully document how much time you spend and what you do. o avoid any surprises or misunderstandings and help promote independence for the ward, tell them about your fees when you begin your duties as a conservator. f you charge fees, they should be reasonable. on’t charge for things you do that are not specically for the ward. or instance, don’t charge fees if you shop for Martin or personally make home repairs. f necessary, you can pay someone else at a lower rate for these tasks and document the expenses.Avoid possible conicts of interestometimes people have good intentions, but do things they shouldn’t. Because you are now a duciary, y

ou should avoid even the appearance of a
ou should avoid even the appearance of any conicts. Here are a couple examples of possible conicts of interest:Whose car is it? You used Martin’s money to buy a car. You use it to drive him to appointments, but most of the time you drive the car just for your own his may be a conict of interest. Should you do business with family? Martin needs repair work in his apartment. You hire your son and pay him from Martin’s money. his may be a conict of interest, even though the work was needed. appears that you have put your personal interest to benet your son in conict with Martin’s interests.ANAGINGRules about carefully managing Martin’s money and property.s Martin’s conservator, you might pay bills, oversee bank accounts, or pay for things he needs. You might also make investments, pay taxes, collect rent or unpaid debts, get insurance if needed, cancel any unneeded insurance, and do other things in the court order. s a conservator, your authority is often limited to nancial decisions specied by the court. t is always important to work with Martin or any other decision makers on choices important to Martin.You have a duty to manage Martin’s money and property very carefully. judgment and common sense. s a duciary, you must be even more careful with Martin’s money than you might be with your own! ollow these guidelines strictly according to the court’s procedures: Make an inventory. o make careful decisions, you need to know what Martin owns and what he owes. o make a proper inventory, you must nd and list for the court all of Martin’s income

and property, as well as any debts or le
and property, as well as any debts or legal claims against his properties (called liens). he court may give you a form and a deadline for making the inventory. avoid any risk to Martin’s money and property, you must make the inventory as quickly as possible. An inventory may include all kinds of property. Your list might include: Checking and savings accounts; Pension, retirement, annuity, rental, public benet, or other income; Real estate; Cars and other vehicles; Insurance policies; Trusts for which Martin is a beneciary; Stocks and bonds; Jewelry, furniture, and any other items of value; Unpaid credit card bills and other outstanding File the inventory with the court. Keep a copy of the inventory for your records and le it with the court by the due date. Be ready to share it withfamily listed with the court as interested parties.Tips for making an inventory on’t leave anything out. ven if you know Martin wants you to have certain things and says so in his will, list them in the inventory. proper inventory lists everything according to the court’s rules. decide that some things should not be listed. Search carefully.carefully to nd everything Martin owns. earch his mail and home. ook for real estate by talking to family or advisors and looking through land records. rack down letters from creditors to nd unpaid ake valuable items to an appraiser. Verify if necessary.good idea to have someone else check the list, especially if family might argue over Martin’s money and property.HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MIC Michigan does not require a lawyer to prepare or sig

n an inventory. within 56 days after you
n an inventory. within 56 days after your appointment or another time period directed by the court, a conservator must le a complete inventory of the estate. he conservator must keep suitable records concerning the administration of Martin’s estate and provide the records on the request of an interested party.The court may require you to buy a bond.epending on the size of the estate and other factors, the court may require you to buy a bond. insurance policy so the court can make sure you carry out your duties. f you fail in your duties and, as a result, money is lost or stolen, the bonding company will pay the money hen the company will try to collect the money from you. he cost of the bond may be payable from Martin’s money. sk a lawyer or the court sta whether you may use Martin’s money to cover this expense. Only people with good nancial records and credit histories can get a bond. f you have had a bankruptcy, are unemployed, or have little money, it will be more dicult to get a ry to check this before you are appointed as conservator or as soon as possible. ake all steps the court advises about getting a bond. Sometimes, instead of requiring a bond, the court will limit the amount of funds you can take out of Martin’s account. his is called a restricted account. he court will tell the bank to block the account above a certain amount. f you want to spend more than that amount, you must get the court to approve the expense.Protect Martin’s property. Keep his money and property safe. Have Martin’s income and bills sent to you. ut his valuable items in safe deposit boxes and lock

other items he is not using in storage.
other items he is not using in storage. Keep Martin’s cash in bank accounts that earn interest if possible and that have low or no fees. eview bank and other nancial statements promptly. Martin will not be living in his home, consider changing the locks. igure out if the house should be rented, or how to keep it safe if it is vacant. f Martin rented an apartment and will be moving, tell the landlord, remove his things, and have the apartment cleaned.Make a budget. Make a budget as if you were making one for your own household. ist how much you expect to pay for a nursing home, assisted living or home care, rent, food, medical care, and home maintenance or repair. Be sure to include a monthly allowance for Martin to use as he pleases. hink about any special expenses that may arise, such as dental work or any medical care or equipment that Medicare, Medicaid, or other health insurance will not cover. ry to stick to your budget. f something very costly occurs, you may need the court to approve the expense. Invest carefully.f you are making investments for Martin, talk to a nancial professional for guidance. xchange ommission () provides tips on choosing a nancial professional at www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/ib_top_tips.pdf. iscuss your choices and goals for making prudent investments based on Martin’s needs and personal values. Pay bills and taxes on time. Cancel any insurance policies that Martin does not need. ANAGINGCollect debts.ind out if anyone owes Martin money, and try to collect it.There’s no place like home. Michigan law requires court approval to sell Martin’s real estate. Martin may want

to continue to live in the home he owns
to continue to live in the home he owns or rents. n that case, take these steps:Determine if living in his home is safe, and if Martin can manage in the house.needed, put in guard rails, grab bars, smoke detectors, extra lighting, and other things to help him stay at home. ax credits or deductions might be available if you make the home easier to live in. You may need to work with others who have authority over the ward to make decisions involving his property. If it is not safe to live at home even with changes—or if Martin wants to move—consider other places that meet Martin’s needs. Try to keep him connected to people and things important to him. hoices might be living with someone else, or living in a retirement community, a senior apartment, group home, assisted living, or nursing home. You may need court approval for a move.Can Martin get any benets? ind out if Martin is eligible for any nancial or health care benets from an employer or a government. hese benets might include pensions, disability, ecurity, Medicare, Medicaid, eterans benets, housing assistance, or food stamps (now known as ssistance rogram or earch for ational ging benets check-up at www.Benetsp.org. Help him apply for those benets. rea gency on ging where Martin lives can help you nd information. rea gency on ging through the ldercare ocator in Michigan at www.eldercare.gov.Medicaid is complicatedet legal advice and be very careful about decisions that may aect Martin’s eligibility for Medicaid. he Medicaid program provides medical assistance and long-term care to low-income people. he pr

ogram may have another name in your stat
ogram may have another name in your state. o nd your state Medicaid agency, visit: www.benets.gov/benets/browse-by-category/category/Mor additional information about Medicare eligibility in ervices website at http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/ or by calling 1-517-373-3740.ssistance: or information about Medicaid eligibility and how to apply, contact Michigan Medicare/Medicaid ssistance rogram (MMnc. is a free health-benet counseling service provided to Michigan residents. all 1-800-803-7174 or visit www.mmapinc.org. HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICRules about keeping Martin’s money and property separate from your money and property. ever mix Martin’s money or property with your own or someone else’s. Mixing money or property makes it unclear who owns what. onfused records can get you in trouble with the court. ollow these guidelines: Separate means separate.ever deposit Martin’s money into your own or someone else’s bank account or investment account. Avoid joint accounts.f Martin already has money in a joint account with you or someone else, get legal advice before making any change. Keep title to Martin’s money and property in his own name.see right away that the money and property is Martin’s and not yours. sk the bank for a conservatorship or duciary account that shows you are managing the account for Know how to sign as conservator.ign all checks and other documents relating to Martin’s money or property to show that you are Martin’s conservator. or example, you might sign: “Juan oe, as conservator for Martin oe.” ever just sign “M

artin oe.”Pay Martin’s expense
artin oe.”Pay Martin’s expenses from his funds, not yours.pending your money and then paying yourself back makes it hard to keep good records. f you really need to use your money, save receipts for the expense and keep a good record of why, what, and when you paid yourself.ANAGINGRules about keeping good records.You must keep true and complete records of Martin’s money and property. s conservator, the court or a lawsuit can challenge you to show everything you’ve done with Martin’s money and property. lways be ready to share your records with the court. o help you practice good recordkeeping habits:Keep a detailed list of everything that you receive or spend for Martin. ecords should include the amount of checks written or deposited, dates, reasons, names of people or companies involved, and other important information. Keep receipts and notes, even for small expenses.or example, write “$50, groceries, rocery tore, May 2” in your records soon after you spend the money.Avoid paying in cash. ry not to pay Martin’s expenses with cash. lso, try not to use an ATM card to withdraw cash or write checks to “ash.” f you need to use cash, be sure to keep receipts or notes. Getting paid?f you are permitted by the court to charge a fee to serve as conservator be sure your fees are reasonable. Keep detailed records as you go along of what work you did, how much time it took, when you did it, and why you did it. Your compensation should be reasonable. ook for information about what other people charge to do the tasks that you are doing for Martin. File your accountings with the court.ach year—

;or whenever the court requires—you
;or whenever the court requires—you must report to the court, including giving an accounting of all the money you received The court will give you a specic form for the accounting or will tell you what is required. se the records you have kept during the year to ll in the form. f you have questions, ask court sta or a lawyer for help. The court will tell you when the accounting is due. Be sure to turn it in on time. f your accounting is late, the court may call you in to explain why. Your accounting must be clear and must “add up.” he accounting should show a beginning balance, income during the year, expenses during the year, and an ending balance. he ending balance for one year should be the same as the beginning balance for the next year. Accounting requirements dier by court, and may change over time. ry to understand in advance what is needed, so that your accounting is not rejected for a minor problem. sk for an example of a correct accounting. You may need an accountant to help. HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICFile a nal accounting after Martin dies.otify the court when Martin dies. ccording to robate ourt procedures, make a nal accounting of Martin’s money and property, and ask for an order releasing you from your duties. Sometimes, you may need to pay nal bills or make nal arrangements, especially if or example, you may need to pay funeral expenses and nal If Martin did not already make funeral or burial arrangements, look for any directions he may have left—perhaps in advance directives or remarks to family or friends. An exe

cutor named in a will, a personal repres
cutor named in a will, a personal representative appointed by the court, or a trustee named in a trust will handle Martin’s money and property after you turn them over. Hold Martin’s personal things safely until they are transferred to whoever is to receive them. f you are the one named to handle Martin’s money and property after his death, make sure you understand when your duties as conservator end and your new duties begin.ANAGINGMore things you should know What if there are other duciaries?Co-conservatorshe court may have named someone else to act with you as Martin’s conservator, or it may have named someone else to act as Martin’s patient advocate to make health care ny other conservators will be your partners in making decisions on Martin’s behalf and in helping him make decisions if he is able. You must work closely together. or example, if Martin will move to a new location or get special care, his conservators must make important personal and nancial decisions. You must consult with one another. Michigan law does not require conservators to reside in Michigan. ther duciaries may have authority to make decisions for Martin. or example, he may have an agent under a power of attorney, a representative payee who handles VA duciary who handles veterans benets. t is important to work with these other duciaries, and keep them informed.Government benets require special duciariess conservator, you cannot manage Martin’s government benets such as VA benets unless you get a separate appointment from the government agency as, for example, a represen

tative payee or VA duciary. or more
tative payee or VA duciary. or more information, contact the government agency.How can you avoid problems with family or friends?amily or friends may not agree with your decisions about Martin’s money and property. o help reduce any conicts, follow the rules and the guidelines we’ve given you. haring information may help or be required in limited circumstances. not always best to share the personal information unless specically required by Michigan law or judicial order. heck to see what the power of attorney directs you to do about sharing records. ome family or friends may be so dicult that it is better not to share information with them, but avoid the disclosure of condential information. se your best judgment.f family or friends disagree with your decisions, try to get someone to help sort it out—for example, a family counselor or mediator. Where to go for help at the end of this guide.HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICWhat should you know about working with professionals?n managing Martin’s aairs, you may need help from professionals such as lawyers, brokers, nancial advisors, accountants, real estate agents, appraisers, psychologists, social workers, doctors, nurses, or care managers. s a conservator you can pay them with Martin’s money. f you need help from any professionals, remember these tips: Check on the professional’s qualications. Many professionals must be licensed or registered by a government agency. heck credentials with the government agency. Make sure the license or registration is current and the professional is in good standing

. heck the person’s complaint histo
. heck the person’s complaint history. Interview the professional thoroughly and ask questions.Review contracts carefully before signing. Before hiring any professionals, get their proposed plan of work and expected fee.Make your own decisions based on facts and advice.isten to their advice but remember you are the decision-maker. ANAGINGWatch out for nancial exploitation amily, friends, neighbors, caregivers, duciaries, business people, and others may try to take advantage of Martin. hey may take his money without permission, neglect to repay money they owe, charge him too much for services, or just not do things he has paid them to do. hese may be examples of nancial exploitation or nancial abuse. Martin’s conservator, you should help protect him. You should know the signs of nancial exploitation for ve important reasons: Martin may still control some of his funds and could be exploited; Even if Martin does not control any of his funds, he still may be exploited; Martin may have been exploited already, and you may still be able to do something about that; People may try to take advantage of you as Martin’s conservator; and Knowing what to look for will help you avoid doing things you should not do, protecting you from claims that you have exploited Martin.ook for these common signs of nancial exploitation:• Somemoneypropertymissing.• Martinsaysthatmoneypropertymissing.• YounoticeMartin’ssavings.or example, he: Takes out lots of money from the bank without explanation; Tries to wire large amounts of money; UAT Is not able to pay bills that are usually paid; Buys things or

services that don’t seem necessary
services that don’t seem necessary; Puts names on bank or other accounts that you do not recognize or that he is unwilling or unable to explain; Does not get bank statements or bills; Makes new or unusual gifts to family or others, such as a “new best friend”; Changes beneciaries of a will, life insurance, or retirement funds; orHas a caregiver, friend, or relative who suddenly begins handling his money.• Martinsaysafraidafraidrelative,caregiver,relative,caregiver,keepsfromhavingvisitorsphone calls, or does not let him speak for himself, or seems to be controlling his HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICWhat can you do if Martin has been exploited?• Callemergencyimmediatedanger.AdultProtectiveServicesat1-855-444-3911.Youcouldpolice or sheri. You may be required by law to report abuse and should check ervices website to make sure. • AlertMartin’screditcardcompany.• Callo�ceprosecutorAttorneyGeneral.Long-TermCareProgramstateraud ontrol nit if Martin is in a nursing home or assisted living. Considertolawyerprotectingfromexploitationback money or property taken from him. ach agency or professional has a dierent role, so you may need to call more than one. or more information, see Where to go for help at the end of this guide.ANAGINGBe on guard for consumer scams s Martin’s conservator, you should be alert to protect his money from consumer scams as well as nancial exploitation. riminals and con artists have many scams, and change them all the time. hey often seek unsuspecting people who have access to money. earn to spot consumer scams against Martin

1;and against you as his conservator. Ho
1;and against you as his conservator. How can you protect Martin from scams?onsumer scams happen on the phone; through the mail, e-mail, or the nternet; and they occur in person, at home, or at a business. Here are some tips: Put Martin’s telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry.o to www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. Do not share numbers or passwords for Martin’s accounts, credit cards, or Social Security, unless you know whom you’re dealing with and why they need the information. After hearing a sales pitch, take time to compare prices.sk for information in writing and read it carefully. Too good to be true?sk yourself why someone is trying so hard to give you a “great deal.” f it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.Watch out for deals that are only “good today” and that pressure you to act quickly.Be suspicious if you are not given enough time to read a contract or get legal advice before signing. lso watch out if you are told that you need to pay the seller quickly, for example by wiring the money or sending it by courier.Never pay up front for a promised prize.uspect a scam if you are required to pay fees or taxes to receive a prize or other nancial windfall. Watch for signs Martin already has already been scammed.or example, does he receive a lot of mail or email for sweepstakes? Has he paid people you don’t know, especially in other states or countries? Has he taken a lot of money out of the bank while he was with someone he recently met? oes he have a hard time explaining how he spent that money? s he suddenly unable to pay for food, medicine, or utilitie

s?HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERV
s?HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICWhat can you do if Martin has been scammed?f you suspect a scam, get help. ontact a local, state, or federal agency, depending on the type of scam. You may also need to talk to a lawyer. ocal agencies to call include rotective ervices (are rogram, the police or sheri, and the local Better Business Bureau. tate agencies to call include the oce of the ttorney eneral or another agency that deals with consumer protection.all a federal agency if scammers are in other states or countries. ederal agencies are the rotection Bureau (ederal Bureau of nvestigation (ederal rade ommission, or the ostal ervice. ach of these agencies and professionals has a dierent role so you may need to call more than one. or more information, see Where to go for help at the end of this guide.ANAGINGRelative in need Someone who pretends to be a family member or friend calls or emails you to say they are in trouble and need you to wire money right away. You get a call or letter from someone asking for money for a fake charity—either the charity does not exist or the charity did not call or write to you.Lottery or sweepstakes You get a call or email that you have a chance to win a lot of money through a foreign country’s sweepstakes or lottery. oer tips about how to win if you pay a fee or buy something. caller or email says you already have won and you must give your bank account information or pay a fee to collect your winnings.Home improvement Scammers take money for repairs and then they never return to do the work or they do bad work. ometimes they break something to creat

e more work or they say that things need
e more work or they say that things need work when they don’t.Free lunch Scammers invite you to a free lunch and seminar, and then pressure you to give them information about your money, and to invest the money with them. hey oer you “tips” or “guaranteed returns.”Free trip Scammers say you’ve won a free trip but they ask for a credit card number or advance cash to hold the reservation.Government money You get a call or letter that seems to be from a government agency. cammers say that if you give a credit card number or send a money order, you can apply for government help with housing, home repairs, utilities, or taxes. Scammers pretend they are with Medicare prescription drug plans, and try to sell Medicare discount drug cards that are not valid. ompanies with Medicare drug plans are not allowed to send unsolicited mail, emails, or phone calls. Scammers steal personal information—such as a name, date of birth, ecurity number, account number, and mother’s maiden name—and use the information to open credit cards or get a mortgage in someone else’s name.Fake “ocial” mail Scammers send letters or emails that look like they are from a legitimate bank, business, or agency to try to get your personal information or bank account number.HELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICEMichigan Adult Protective Services (APS) receives and investigates reports of suspected elder or adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation. To make a report, call the 24-hour, toll free APS hotline. 1-855-444-3911 www.michigan.gov/mdhhs www.michigan.gov/aasaIf yo

u would like more information about the
u would like more information about the APS program, contact your local Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) oce or look in the white pages of your local telephone directory and ask to speak with an adult services worker or supervisor. Reports must be made to the number above. AGENCIE ON AGING ASS1-517-886-1029www.mi-seniors.net (Click on “AAAs” tab to nd your local Area Agency on Aging)www.michigan.gov/aasa (Click on “Aging Services” tab to contact your local Area Agency on Aging)ATTORNEY The Oce of the Attorney General has a Consumer Protection Section. It operates the Michigan Consumer Protection Hotline. 525 W Ottawa St Fl 7Lansing, MI 48933-77121-877-765-83881-517-373-1-313-456-0240 (Detroit, Michigan) www.michigan.gov/ag SSThe Better Business Bureau can help consumers with complaints against businesses. BBB of Detroit & Eastern Michigan20300 W Twelve Mile RdSoutheld, MI 48076-41631-248-223-9400 Fax: 1-248-356-5135E-mail: info@easternmichiganbbb.org Oce hours: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PMBBB Serving Western Michigan2627 E Beltline Ave SEGrand Rapids, MI 495461-616-774-8236 E-mail: info@westernmichigan.bbb.orgOce hours: Monday thru Thursday 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM; Friday 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM 12:30 PM - BBB Serving Northwest and West Central Ohio and Southeast Michigan7668 Kings Pointe RdToledo, OH 436171-419-531-3116 Toll Free 1-800-743-4222 E-mail: info@toledobbb.org Oce hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM & Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PMWhere to go for helpSTATEAGENCIESANAGINGThe Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program strives to improve the qualit

y of care and quality of life experience
y of care and quality of life experiences by residents who reside in licensed long-term care facilities. Ombudsmen advocate for residents of Nursing Homes, Homes for the Aged and Adult Foster Care Homes.1-866-485-9393E-mail: sltco@lsscm.orgwww.mltcp.orgLTThe MI Health Link Ombudsman (MHLO) serves as an advocate and problem-solver for beneciaries enrolled in MI Health Link. MHLO works with health plans, Pre-Paid Inpatient Health Plans (that oer behavioral health services), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the federal governments to nd issues, identify best practices, and oer solutions that will help make the MI Health Link program work better for beneciaries.1-888-746-6456E-mail: help@MHLO.orgTORFind a listing of local mediators in Michigan. Mediation can help resolve disputes and may sometimes be an alternative to legal action. 1-517-373-4839E-mail: cdrp@courts.mi.gov To reach a mediation center nearest you, call 1-800-873-7658 or visitwww.acrnet.org (Click on “Membership,” then “Directory,” then type the word, ‘Mediator’ to the ‘Organization Contains’ box, enter your location in the appropriate section, then click “Search.”)SS (MMAP, MMAP, Inc. is a free health-benet counseling service provided to Michigan residents.1-800-803-7174www.mmapinc.org/PARTLTN SERVICE1-517-373-3740 General Information (1-800-649-3777 for hearing impaired callers)1-855-275-6424 Customer Service1-800-642-3195 Medicaid Customer Helpwww.michigan.gov/mdhhs (Click on “Assistance Programs,” then “Health Care Coverage”)To see if you qualif

y for additional benets that you ma
y for additional benets that you may be entitled to, visit their website:www.misoap.org (Michigan’s Support Older Adult’s Portal) Also see www.benetscheckup.orgThe Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, in the Oce of the Attorney General, investigates and prosecutes abuse and fraud by health care providers. The MFCU also runs the Senior Patrol to uncover fraud. 1-855-MI-FRAUD (643-7283)www.michigan.gov/mdhhs (Click on “Doing Business with MDHHS,” then “Health Care Providers”)To submit an online complaint or write a letter to report the fraud: www.michigan.gov/mdhhs (Click on “Doing Business with MDHHS,” then “Health Care Providers”, then “Medicaid Fraud Hotline,” then “Oce of Inspector General”. Where to go for helpSTATEAGENCIESHELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICIF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY CALL 911. If you have a matter that requires local action or assistance, contact the local Michigan State Police or the local sheri’s oce:N ST1-517-332-2521 available 24/7www.michigan.gov/msp/ERIFF’SSocal Sheri’s ces1-517-485-3135http://www.misheri.org/sheris-oces/ Numerous federal agencies play a role in combatting fraud and abuse and educating consumers. Contact them for more information.L PROTECTION BURE1-855-411-2372www.consumernance.gov OT EGITRY1-888-382-1222 www.donotcall.gov www.fbi.gov/scams-safety SS1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) www.consumer.ftc.gov Where to go for helpWhere to go for helpAGENCIESNFORCETASwww.stopfraud.gov ECTION SERVICE1-877-876-2455 https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/ SO

CIL SECURITY AD1-800-772-1213www.socials
CIL SECURITY AD1-800-772-1213www.socialsecurity.gov/payee PART1-888-407-0144www.benets.va.gov/duciary Where to go for helpSTFor legal assistance, go to the State Bar of Michigan by visiting their website: www.michbar.org (Select “For Public.”) EGL HOTLINE FOR MIC3815 W St Joseph, Suite C200Lansing, MI 489171-800-347-5297www.elderlawofmi.org ANAGINGEGL SERVICE2727 Second AveDetroit, MI 482011-313-964-4130www.milegalservices.orgEG89 Ionia Ave NW, #400201 W Kalamazoo450 Morris Ave #104Grand Rapids, MI 49503Kalamazoo, MI 49007Muskegon, MI 494401-616-774-06721-269-344-81131-231-726-4887901 Port St 636 Hastings AveSt. Joseph, MI 49085 Holland, MI 494231-269-983-6363 1-616-394-1380EGL SERVICEORT130 Spruce St W1349 S Otsego Ave, Unit 7B806 Ludington StSault Suite Marie, MI 49783Gaylord, MI 49735Escanaba, MI 498291-906-632-33611-989-705-10671-989-705-1067221 Garland St123 N 2nd Ave #1112 W Washington St #1Traverse City, MI 49684Alpena, MI 49707Marquette, MI 498551-231-941-07711-989-356-90811-906-228-5620EGL SERVICEEAS436 Saginaw St #101320 S Washington AveLakeshore Legal AidFlint, MI 48502Saginaw, MI 4860730500 Van Dyke Ave #6011-800-322-45121-800-322-4512Warren, MI 48093 1-888-783-8190EGL SERVICE OF SOUTSSLSSCM is a division of the Michigan Advocacy Program who provides free legal advice and representation to low income persons and senior citizens in South Central Michigan.3480 Belle Chase Wy, Suite 50 Ann Arbor OceBattle Creek OceLansing, MI 48911420 N Fourth Ave123 W Territorial Rd1-888-783-8190Ann Arbor, MI 48104Battle Creek, MI 49017http://www.lsscm.org 1-734-665-6181 or1-269-965-3951 or1

-888-665-61811-800-688-3951Family Law Pr
-888-665-61811-800-688-3951Family Law Project OceJackson OceMonroe OceUniversity of Michigan Law School540 N Jackson St1118 A South TelegraphHutchins HallJackson, MI 49201Monroe, MI 48161Ann Arbor, MI 481091-517-787-6111 or1-734-241-8310 or1-734-998-94541-800-676-94881-888-251-1598FAWORKER EGL SERVICE3030 S 9th St, Suite 1AKalamazoo, MI 490091-269-492-7190 or 1-800-968-4046Where to go for helpHELP FOR COURT–APPOINTED CONSERVATORS IN MICMEJI focuses primarily on issues aecting the most vulnerable older adults including long term care; guardianship; public benets; and elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. MEJI also works closely with disability advocates to address issues of shared concern.15851 S US 27, Suite 73Lansing, MI 489061-517-827-8010STN ACCESS TO JU306 Townsend StLansing, MI 48933-20831-800-346-6300SIXTY PLUCooley Center, 9th Fl300 S Capitol AveLansing, MI 489331-517-372-3484REE LEGERVICE FOR EOLE OVER Find local programs that provide free legal help to people over age 60 by contacting the national Eldercare Locator. 1-800-677-1116 www.eldercare.gov REE LEGERVICE FOR LOW-INCOEOFind local programs that provide free legal help to low-income people on the website of the Legal Services Corporation.www.lsc.gov/nd-legal-aid EE-FOR-ERVICE LWYERThe Michigan State Bar has a lawyer referral service and so do several county bar associations. www.michbar.org/sbm Where to go for helpWhere to go for helpACCOUNTING HELPFind a local certied public accountant (CPA):SSPAwww.micpa.orgPAwww.cpadirectory.comf you have any comments, updates or corrections to this booklet, email sixtyplus@cool