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HomeMy WebLinkAbout80-00286 IN THB tWl"l'l\1l () F H' T'D;~ fX\Um' OF r;OI-1l/(lN 1'L;<;I,,:O 0" Cumberland COUlITY, p".m1SYLVMlIA .......,.....-......--~... Debbie K. Eppley ....-...- ........--.. Ar ll'Cm'lPr~T\;21T O!~l'HP.NR I COURT J1lVISInN 110. 286 CW 1')80 ......0....... '0 .... ,-, Bonita J. Stahl l)ein'~ r~u'l.y GVI01'n in ...._ '._ .._..........'......_ ............1 accorr'cnce vrlth lav', ~oes state as fo11o\"c: 1. I am the. ",twreien of 'che est::te of ,.J?~.bE:k~.~J?l?J.:~.Y-_-_..._.,_. .-. h"ving been appointee be' this Honor,1\)18 Court 11:' Orc'er of D!!l~.J.:.,._S..b~ql}~I!-_-,. A)l.I:~UN::.~.Er.OJ1,T. .1).':3~.^ftJ'J.f\! I. ....--.....-..........-.....'..-.....-....-... ....-.... 2. At the time of my 2?pointment there Has conservec in ._R~J2P..he.-_._.._-_..~-~ "ccount ':._~Q,lli,14.....--. ....,.,. :3. Since then I have receiver; in the llllme of ...,Q~.l?l?.!:.~..l$.._. ._,.,--' ._.._~_l.a'E1ey_...... ...,...___ the fol1o\'in~ income, B. ')..l?~~?..9_.__.......__._...., 8 month from ..f;1.9,~,l&J....i?!l!<,l}l;llY--....... (h.) On . "...NPY~ml<g.j; 24. 1911.2.,......(' I paic)' to ...!l~~},~J=?y.:..~,:~;::..-_.1 inGtitution , ...._" $)J..,}...4Jil..]J.-..,-..... ._,..' I.\mount I for care enc', ml.\intenDnce ovrinl', from 197/f to "p>:Tnh"b' 19l19___"..... .._....,.,.... month/year c. '\.,..~.Q::.._,,__._,.,.._..,_. ...,.,...,.._. from ,... .....-.. ..-.,.-..,.,.....,'......'. ----. (. ~ ~)... :-9=...~ ..~.-...._-.......- .................-.. (. month from . .-..-.............-.....------- b. 5. '1hen rec50nnble r,rounc's to contest these bills . exister,- I have sou~ht to assert such c;rounes \1efore making payments. 6. Prior to mnkin'r, all such p"yment. I have receivec1 the abailabi1ity of n,rounes to seek abl.\tement, mocification or c'i.so.har~,e of these billG. 7. Since then I have pnir' 11 totel of', 661. 29 . , for current care 8nc maintenance to " ...s.e.1.ht:>,!;.9E..9.ii..$e.n:t.:.;.r:~~~::.::~:T:GlstftutiOn) I pursuant to 50 P.S. ~!l 1,501 Dnc' ',50:<" nnc' rep;u1l\tions promul~ate0 thereuncer. 8. The forel',oinl', i5 filec in comp1i.Dnce ,lith the Orcer of Court in y.e.c.c.h..i.o.n.e._v.~ :'!.o.h)./~,I1!'l.t:h., Ho. 7:l-16:< (,;;.n. i'a., June 30, 19711) enc' not in response t.o any Orr'er of t.his Court or state stctute. : ." \: . .' ~ ", " ~ . ._l , Sl!Om1rm::~~~.ci?J1;r,CR.I~J1':n BEJl()l1.," ,:'1,"'\\\ v/."I.{?::' '" ~ u,,~~. J.lE,':TJhS" I .,''O;,.; nAY OF . ";.'<, ',._'-'_'" .....1.- .,1',. . :;':-~",,,,,,,, ' ',. ).:" 1" 7, , l _ ;'f.... ,,;. ..... ~. , J I . ........_.. ._...~_.._.... _....,,_..f'o......... -.-.. ... f'j.~.'w'~.... I ". ./~./_~~.(~:.:~Ki;f'-:. '-", .... NOT!,RY.Pl.!BLIC .."., 1: ). >,'" ': ),''O- .. ) ....... ) " .. .O'_~' "_. J, . .,~, (t1_ J' ( -~ " .....~---.. ......_-_.._~ ~ ......~.-........~...- ......-.-..--- G.uP.l1.T'IA~' OFI'ICK1 ';" ,~. ,', c" " A:1 : t'1 "~c(. 108 I'~GE '782 DEBBIE K. EPPLb"Y AN INCCMPEl'ENl' IN THE COORl' OF ca-M:N PLE'AS OF n Nl'IT'RT.J\ND c:a:Ml'i' , PENNSYLVlINIA OHPH1\NS' COORI' DIVISICtl NO. 2B6 OF 19.]9 IN THE MI\'lTER OF ANNUAL REPORl' OF GUAHDIAN Rani ta J. stahl with law, does state as follCMS: 1. I am the guardian of the estate of , being duly sl'<Clrn in accordance Debbie K. Eppley having been appointed by this Honorable Court by Order of r:eJ.e F. Shughart 2. In JanuarY 19 B~ J. filed a report with this Court. I1Pl'lth/year 3. Since my last report I have received in the name of Debbie K. Eppley the follCMing incane: 32B.20 Soc. sec. Mm. (6 rronths) a. $ 364.60 a I1Pl'lth fran Soc. sec. Mm. (3 ITDnths) b. $ 206.67 a:"ll11iJl(l< fran interest earned c. $ -0- a nonth fran 4. Since my last report I have paid a total of $ 2,717.06 for current care and maintenance to Selinsgrove Center (institution), pursuant to 50 P.S. ~ 4501 and 4502, and regulations pranulgated thereunder. 5. When reasonable grounds to contest these bills existed, I have sought to assert such grounds before making payments. 6. Prior to making all such payments, I have reviewed the availa- bility of grounds to seek abatement, modification or discharge of bills. 7. The foregoing is filed in can[lliance with the Order of Court in Vecchione v. Wohlgemuth, No. 73-162 (E.D. Pa., June 30, 1978) and not in r~spqnse'to any Order of this COUrt or state statute. ," ,:',,';..'; . . , - , ~ >' .' sOOm w ANi> SUBSCIUBED BEroRE , 'I ' 'I. ME,,'llIl:S ~51l DAY OF ." ','dt'"Y. , 1911.. . '"'. (", . ~/..ll.i (/' ~2~yJ NOl'ARY PUBLIC n~'/+~. ~ YJ:.. A ~ lDIAN OFFr ~c"'~ 108 I%E '783 i"::::' /'.. "'C:oup, 1"JlJhu)' Public :;: ,:,:1 :/}iC\ld, SIYy'ijtr ee, PA. r\~~i (.\;:(1il~iS'.b\CI1 oX;ilrce '!0.30-82. AR:#2 \ I I }, I '..) 0- :1 ~ . " :~". ,.. , '" " c.:., N ~f~ l.'I, ~; 0.... 0::((: , ,", 0(5 ~:t: Uw LoJG ~rr; ~ CO -' . U DEBBIE KAY EPPLEY, AN INCAPACITATED PERSON IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION NO. 286 OF 1980 IN THE MATTER OF ORDER FOR APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIAN OFFICE AND FOR TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION AND NOW tho '1l h d" of ~ , 1998, upon consideration of the within Motion, it is hereby ORDERED AND DECREED that the appointment of the guardian officer as guardian of the estate is hereby amended to be "the guardian office" instead of the guardian "officer" as plenary guardian of the estate, the burial fund may hereby be increased to $2,500.00, and the jurisdiction over further proceedings in this matter is hereby transferred to SNYDER County. The remainder of the Order remains in fun force and effect. BY THE COURT: no c: ~ \Q :o~ OJ OJ l":- ~) (') L c: c: " r t N J. "0 -', ': ~ (/1~ ....".. So i~ :~i (Ii 0\ t~ ',,' l: ", ....., ~~ I: I.., i-:::~ i , i: , I ~~\ !..". I,. ' ., \ i \ \ ! , ,.." .\ \.,.~; "~I t";,.:-:'" '..- ( D. Le Kay Eppley Wage Earner - Ro~ert p, Eppley Claim Number- 195-07-4074 '.! IN TilE MAT'rEH OF IN THE COURT OF CmlMON PLEAS OF CUHBERl.IIl'lD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA ORPHANS' COURT DIVISION NO , ._::.. ~l /. ,\\ c' it,,; 19 ROo , DEnBIE KJ>:f EPPLt'f AN ALLEGED INCOMPETEl~T ORDER NOW, this S tt day of , 191'2.., upon hearing of the petition 'In ('~<I I and Citation for Appointment of a Guardian for Debbia Kay Eppley , proof of notice of the said hearing to all next of kin having been filed, and appointed as guardian ad litem, the Court finds that the said Debbie Y-ay Eppley is so mentally infir~ that ~she is likely to dissipate or lose:~/her estate and become the victim of designing persons; and that the Court further finds that the entire real and personal estate of the said Debbie Kay Eppley should be handled by the Guardian designated herein. IT IS ORDERED AND DECREED THAT 11cni.ta J. Sta!ll Guardian Officer at and ;hd<g/her Selinsp:rove Canter successors in office be and are hereby authorized to receive, hold and dispose of the es"f.'ate oflhbbie KaV Epplev appointed Guardian under Court Decree, . The Guardian, having filed with this Court a financial as the duly statement listing Debbie Kav EPnley income and assets, need not file any additional inventory, unless new, real or personal property of the estate of the Incompetent comes into kkR/her possession, , " , ' /..... .. . -f"!' '_.J . ',' IT IS FUR'rHER ORDERED AND DECRCED that the Guardian set up a burial fund of Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) for the :i .. .} Incompeten t, unless a burial fund of at least $600.00 or an ~~ J ,'t" insurance policy of at least $600.00 is currently in effect, IT IS FURTlIER ORDERED AND DECREED tha't the Surety Bond issued by AEtna Casualty and Surety Company, Bond No, 57S28546 shall be sufficient as bond. All costs and expenses of this hearing to be borne ;:1 by the Estate of I Cl.a j!.&~J:i.1 7}& 1~1l' LL to be t~bie Kay Eppley , including a fee of paid to the guardian ad litem. :;J BY THE COURT: :~ ,51 YnC',- 7.. S'~ \. ,Ltl; . .'to: ' P J.' :.:1 ,,~,s h. li.1 r: I , , . \: I: i I I . " .. . 'l'RUE copy FROM RECORD ,... t t etm;,hand , '1'I11ereol I hereun 0 s 1 In Te~\lmonYI of said Court at Carlisle, Pa, and the se~, 1."'1) , b tJ~ daY ot.:::I.I;J.:l.l"...19..g...........- Thl$........./.....-......., . )1) ..11,~. j() a .,' ,~~,..,..........,..,.... ~ ...r.:~..,:J,... . C rt _ \ \ - C\er~ 0~ \'", :'", JI> nS au J..:cr:t':l" "",,,_,,,,,,nd County 1', \~:\' i' i tr :' \;.;.- i. .', 1"-" ~). ~. ':,.- r;l":.:J,...... .. " :-,..., ~. '" ':-.' --, i..; ...-;(.'1 - ~): cr..:; c..>lll , " ~a~ l"- >0 , '';' I I .1 ! I 1 I I I I I I I i I I I i IN THE MATTER OF Uebbi~ KIY Eppl~y (HI IncDhlpetertt ~tff IWW, th i ~> <:2_____ di"d (Jf IN rHE CUUKI O~ CUMMON PLEA~ CUMberland COUNTY, PLNNA. URPHANS' CUUKf DIVISION No. :~H(, (l1"phi1I'IS' 1,'80 QjJ[!LH _Q~P~~., l~ f~_, UPOl'l cOl'lsldel'otlon of the I'"ti,tlon or lJonito ,J, Slohl ,lnd "n,I?I' H'?i,Y'lt'lg in Dpen CDurt and after Proof Df Service UPOl'l the Incohlpetel'lt and of Notice to the InCfJMpetl?I'lt.'S n,":,:L-tJr'~,ln, i.t. i.s IlRDEH:cO "l'ld UECREI:D thBt YonitB J. Stahl, GUBrdiaft of the LsLate of Debbie Kay Eppl~~ shall chal'ige the bl?I'H:Fici;H"~~ on iJl.l thi? ti.fe ll'lSUrIHi(G policif~s of [)"bbl" I(ald Epplql to "Er,tiJte of Debbie Kay Eppll'y", i(. ~ ) c- " 0, -- c' -I -:-::{ Lj'"1 ~:: ....J l:~~ - 3[5 U:'.'I c.:: 0-- = ~~.! w" w~ 0:"- 0: r-- ''''~ fO ...lw (.j BY THE COUHT: I~~ __~f_____________ PeG}: 115 p,\Cf 860 " B. No other Court within Lid s Conu1\onwealLh of which Petitioner has knowledCJc has appointed a (Juardian for the Alleged Incompetent, 9. 'I'he Alleyed rnco1t\petcnt has income consisting of: (a) Money du'" from Social Security in the amount of $ 295,50 pe r n:onth (b) Money due fro1t\ in the amount of $ per -_._- (c) , I,~ 10, '1'he l\J.le0ed Incompetent has assets, real and personal, of which the Petitioner is aware, in the amount of $ 10,343.74 consistin':l of: (a) held by the Guardian Officer of in the amount of $ , as of ,19_ (b) Checking Account - $2,662,45 (c) Inheritance from Estate of Robert Paul Eppley - $7,681.29 11. ~he Alleged Incompetent has debts outstanding in the,amountof$ -0- , as of April 17 , 19~, consisting of: (a) $ O\~ing to the Commonwealth of Penn- sylvania, as payment for care and maintenance received from the period , 19 , 19 , to in accordance with 50 1'.5, II 4501 and 4504 and regulations promu10ilted thereunder. (b) [i,.", hl~' I "vC 1,',2 I.. 12, 'I'ile All.erJed lllcOlllpetullt [s j Ilcapable of handling ~her f inancia1 a f fal rs for the reasons set fur th in the attached Affidavit and Competency J<qlOrt, pn'pared by .J:I~.~- J,homilS------' lIlarked it,; Exllibi,t A and 1Il,,,lu il part hereof. 13. __BoJl:i.j:<L.;[~,_.~:J:.Sl])l_----' Guardian Officer at the aforesaid institutioll, alld ~wllM'her succussors in office, having no interest adver,"e to the Alleged Incolllpetent, has agreed to act as Guardiall if this lIonorabl." Court sh'lll so appoint.. 'rhe consent of the IJI:Opo,;"d cuar<lian to so act is attached hereto and made a part hc'J:cof a~; E:<hihit 11, r I I \ I \ \ I 14, III cOlllpllallce wi th the Ordur of Cour t in Vecchione v,_~'0_t.]c'.I~"~I~I.IJ1" No. 73-162 (E.\). Pa., 1974), Petitioner requests preference I.,,: <J i ven to a hank, trust company or othe r individual. \'iLllin', to accept appoint",el1t as Guardian. WllEl\EFOI~I::, the Petitioner prays that a Citation be issued directing the AlJeCjeJ Incompetent and those persons, if any, listed ill paragraph 7 of this Petition, to show cause, if any there be, vlhy Lire All.(]Cjetl Incompetent should not be declared incompeten t and a CUd .:cl ian 0 f the es ta tr: ill'l'oin ted. peti tioner further prays tltilt a 'JllaL"diall ad Ij_~..':'~ be ilppointed to act for tlte AlleCjed IlIcullljJ\:tunL n,:'JCll'di n'J such hearin'J. -"\ ~ ' ' .... "".' / ! " , / , /.' / ' BY: __.~~_I:L.D:Lt/- i ('~-:-~/ ~' Josepq(J, artell~ 'Superinte Bent v b~'Ii\ 10', r"c~ 1::';3 -3- IN::'l'I'J II'll ":1 I .'1' _. 0_'" ...__...__./ {~_..!_ ..... .~ 1/ "" ,/( /' I~" I .-;J._.____.__h_~_ _~......."_._ ---.--.-.. - . '\' . ~ . IlN'I' -'. <.(. \L /'U'IIIII'I' ~.(' 1/' -. . . ~ '. __,~..,_ .~..,.._l___..._ ..~ _. ',,~, ,\ ...__(_'_..._~!......L.L.!~c. r."-_______._ IJW'l'I:\IC:'J'JO:~S: TIle admllllut:rilt 1011 (II' the Competenc.y A~jf,CS:';\lIf'nt 'tnvuii'l't;;:y"((;^J) Hltoulcl conform cat'd"l ly to the direct JOI1" pro- vide.! he,,'Jn, The "tIlLt'd '1l1t'!:lloIHl and tn,;k" arc deldr,ltcd 10 elicit r""pon""" "hich will he uHeu in dCLermininr, whether or not 1\ reuidf'l1t 1,1; capnhle of manlll;Jng his p"r"oltal properly altd/or is 8uflcepliblu to the deceptIon" (If otl",rs, (PenusylvIlnia Bulletin, ^lll'i1 19, 1975, Volume, 5, Number 17), If tho resident's response is correct, place the exnct numher of point8 in the space provided. One point will he glv('1t for each correct response, except where indicated, The examiner should provide the resldent's/patient's name, age, and centcr/hospitul ,..n~!ler if 1ll\..J!.ddre'!.!,~~nE.!I..P.lat~_is no_~. nvailnble, .__.===.== ,.., , PART I - SCRImNING QUESTIONS <"';c t,-v-t' ,- i ::;~~.~. <\ SCORE: n J. Ask the individllal to state his/her full name. (Score one (I) point if full name is given), (J 2. ~ :,. rl, 0, '1 '" '" '" o :J ..1 (\J ..- "~I '" """;) ..~ ~ f",.f J"\.,z ru "'~,.,).::) ..... I ._Nti.J to- ....,> >- n. ,0 ."z..(..:t"':'f'X ~ ~ -0 I..,.~ . _if'l-o 1IJ........ Z _""':> ~U: rrt f:C: ...JO \ll~~ I.LIZ .1..I_rD \/)-< uC:C1oll a: leV .. _ ".U ).0 . ~.:..) <> ,0..... '1J;l:4-U.o1ut ...J :&:.tQCOO 1.. ....U('l'lo.....O'.... U. :)'u t '>-0- .1.."'tO:O.\lUu..... '1 " '0 ;r 'll I-' " rt III - Have the individual write his/her full name, (Score one (1) point if the individual writes hiG name accurately). FIVE UANK ONE SIX TWO 1W:NTY Tt:N FOUR ~E~ NINE (Score one (1) point fqr 1-5 words correct i nnd three (3) points for THIRTY-ONI, EIGIITEt:N NINE IIUNDREU DEPOSIT SEVENTY-SEVEll correct; two (2) 11-15 correct), points' for 6-10 words --12.. 6. Currency Identification Materials: Penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar, Randomly place the coins in front of the il\dividual and ask: (a) Show me the dime (1)) Show me the quarter (c) Show me tl;,> nickel _. (d) Show me tlw h,llf dollar (e) Show me th... penny (Score twO (2) points if four (4) or more responses arc correct). -1 ~ (''')'_ 7. l'lnU'I'Lllti: Olll.l (1) (1..'l'llty, 1('111 fjvL'. lh'U, ~llld llll(~ d',t.lJiH' Idll. l'llle~ th" hJJ 1" JI\ (l'(>I1t of '.Ild 1 'Jit;;I;ll ;.:;(\ _ ,,. '.1;.1.. (ll) SlIow lilt: tli" tWI) <1<>11:.1' loil! _ (h) Hlli,,1. 1<1.11,1,; wonil tll" '''''''I'! (e) ShOll "'C II.., t <:1\ .I,,) I.,,' I Jl j (d) 111I!eh hill is th" ~nl"lll.'~'L :"""'ll\l'! (c) Show mc the flv" dolj,"f hii I -(Seal'" two (2) points if (I.) or In.,fe rcsponses arc correct). STOP here if - through the individual has a seven (7). ._. .---.--.- --- total SCOfe of sIx (6) or le,"s poil\ts - for items one (I) ~... -.-.-------...- .---.----<-. ----.-- .- PART II - FINANCIAL HANAGElmNT SCORE : 8. If you wanted to buy a radio at the lowest price (le"r,t expensive), and saw three radios marked, $7.00 $11.00 $8.00, which radio would you select? (Score one (1) point if the ,$7.00 amount is selected), 9. Give the individual one dollar ($ J ,00) in mixed chll1\I:e, and ask: (a) If you bought something for 65 cents, show 11!e, how much change you would have left? ____. right (b) If a pencil costs 25 cents, show me how much .1l01ley you need. wrong right wrong (c) If you bought something for 85 cents, how much change would you have left? (Score two (2) points if all three items arc answered cOIrectly). right wrong 10. If you only had $200,00 a month to spend, wh.1t would you do with this money? (Score one (1) point if the following three items are mentioned: (1) food; (2) clothing; (3) housing). 11. Place fifty-two cents (quarter, 2 dimes, nickel, 2 pehnies) in front of indivJ.dual and ask, "110101 much money ill here?" (Score one (1) point for correct response). 12. Ask the question: If a stranger ,\pproached you and asked YOIl for ten dOllars, what ,.'ould you do? (Score two (2) points for any response(s) whereby the individual docs not give money to the stranger). 13. Financia) Concepts Ask the individual to explaJ.n the followJnr.: (a) checking account (any mention of checking account functions, i.e., payment, withdrawal of fnnds), (b) savinp,s account (savine,; of monies in a b,1nk; interest) (c) social security (a source of monies from Federal Government) -2 \ I I I I \ I \ i 6/77 I..' '..... . " "".":.~..' .. '.., ,~,,;. """" (d) ]0.:111n (llllJ'I,"O\Jing) (a mi..!tl1u~1 of gf.'Lt!nr, lllCllll:)' frolll n ~uurcl~) (c) 11fl~ iIlHUt':inCC (\I<1ymc'l\t ol 1lll'1l~(~S upUI1 dL:ath of o\.:ner 0'[ 1H'llef I (j ary) (f) :.HJlary (\'1iln(~~i) (monies cnnh~d fur \\'ork completed) ([l) taxes (money ,Ieducted .or paid to govt:rnlll"lll for conunllnily selvin"" and p,overnmc'nl SIlPpOrl) (h) postar.c stomps (j lUl. bonel'.l lo be used (or 1IJ.1illnll letters and packages) (Score two (2) points if lhe individual responds correctly to fonr (4) of the ei[lht (8) ilems. 14. If someoue came up to you on the "trcet /lnd wan led you to buy two wiltches from them for $100,00, what would you do? (Score two (2) poiuts if the individual doea ~ buy the watch). 15. Place eighteen dollars (ten, five, 3 oncs) , in frmat of individual and ask, "lIow much money is here?" (Score one (1) point for correct response). 16. The examiner or the unit staff should complete the following questions by answeriull yes/no. 1. Does the individual receive money regularly? 2. Does the individual give money and/or possessions away indiscriminately? 3. Does the individual frequently lose aud/or have his/her money and/or possession!;, stolen? (Score one (1) point if 1/2 and 113 are marked "no". NOTE: It is suggested that a total score of sixteen (11i) or more points be used as a cut-off score for rellderinp, an opinion of cCt'.petence, A score of fifteen (15) or less points would be used for the opinion of incompetence. MATERIAl.S LIST: Coins: 5 pennies; 3 nickels; 3 dimes; 3 quarters; 1 half-dollar B111s: 3 ones; five; ten; twenty Is the resident' s,.inability to handle his/7er m ies and!lIl1: of his/her disability? Yes No possessions a ~roduct ~:-;rtM;;tt2/ Signature (Licensed Psychologist or l18yel.1atrist ~ - </ - ,rO Date -3 -- . COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANtA OEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 17120 CHI(!F COUNSEL April 29, 1980 T5LEPHONE NUMBER 707.6390 AREA CODE 717 Ms. Doris Mae Hoffman Box 60, RD #l Bonnsboro, Maryland RE: DEBBIE EPPLEY Dear Ms. Hoffman: After an assessment by the hospital staff, it is their opinion that the above-named patient/resident is not competent to manage his/her money and other property. Therefore, Joseph Scartelli Superintendent of Selinsgrove Center has petitioned Judge Dale F. Shughart of cumberland county Orphans' Court to declare the above-listed patient/resident incompetent and to appoint Bonita J. Stahl Guardian Officer at Selinsgrove Center guardian of his/her estate. This process is necessitated by the federal court order in Vecchione v. Wohlgemuth, which holds that a state employee can~act as representative payee of a patient's/resident's federal benefits unless the patient/resident is declared incompetent by a Pennsylvania Court and the state employee appointed legal guardian of the estate. Relatives and friends, however, may act as representative payee without involving the local court. Appointment of a relative would avoid the need for a court hearing and also would avoid the finding of legal incompetence. We urge you to consider becoming the representative payee for your rela- tive. To get more information, you should contact the local office of the social Security Administration or the Veterans' Administration. If you are appointed by the federal payors the petition for incompetence will be withdrawn. A hearing has been scheduled for May 9, 1980, at 2:30 p.m.. A copy of the citation served on your relative is enclosed. Although you are welcome at the hearing, you are not required to be present. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please feel free to call me. Sincerely, 1ft-- Edward P. Carey Assistant Attorney General EPC:db Attachment CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED P.S. The citation is not enclosed because we have not received it. As soon as we receive it, it will be sent to you.