Family Tutelage Case: Absence of Financial Misconduct Clears the Acquitted Nurse Aged 80
Nobody watched over the aunt diagnosed with schizophrenia while she was alive, and the family’s concerns only surfaced after her death in December 2018. A Zaragoza woman, who had cared for her as legal guardian since July 2001 and was a close relative through marriage, faced a demand for 80,000 euros from those who had paid attention to her wellbeing. The claim alleged that the guardian had diverted funds during the time she served in her official guardianship, prompting a legal battle that later moved from accusation to trial.
Legal actions were filed against the guardian, and by the end of January, she stood trial on charges of alleged fraud intended to recover the money. The case ended with a verdict of acquittal from the Sixth Section of the Provincial Court of Zaragoza. The court determined that there was no evidence she had taken money for her own benefit or exploited her position as guardian. Throughout the proceedings, she had kept meticulous documentation showing every financial transaction tied to the care of the aunt, and no irregularities were detected by the judiciary who reviewed monthly and annual statements. The court noted that the accused provided receipts and supporting documents for withdrawals, including payments to caregivers during hospital stays and payments for basic needs like clothing and personal care items. The judges observed that, as time progressed, the aunt required more assistance that the guardian could not personally supply, leading to the hiring of additional aides who accompanied and supervised the aunt at the residence in the afternoons for several years.
The acquittal, reported by the court, left the plaintiffs without the expected vindication. They did not even attend the January trial, the court observed. The decision rejected the allegations that the guardian had unrestricted access to the aunt’s money without accountability, noting that nothing in the case supported such a claim and that there had been ongoing oversight and documentation. The ruling, delivered by the provincial court and presided by Judge Francisco Picazo, emphasizes that the guardian did not misuse funds and that there was no failure of accountability. The court’s language highlights that the guardianship arrangements were supported by verifiable documentation and that no one had failed to scrutinize the financial records. The judgment serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent guardianship and the due diligence expected when managing a vulnerable relative’s finances, especially in long-term care scenarios where family members step in due to familial ties and the lack of other guardianship options. (Citation: Zaragoza Provincial Court, January proceedings).