Lawrence "Larry" Siracusa

Lawrence Siracusa of

Witherspoon & Siracusa

The first time I saw Lawrence “Larry” Siracusa was on the second floor at 400 McAllister Street…San Francisco’s Probate Court.  At the time, I did not know who he was but remember being quite entertained by this hyperactive, dramatic man who was rushing in and out of the courtroom greeting various attorneys and wishing everyone good luck.  He wished my attorney good luck, and he also wished my brother’s attorney good luck.  Good luck, Tom!  Good luck, Emilie!  Odd!  How did this strange man know about my case and why was he wishing everyone good luck?  At the time, I thought he was the court’s good will ambassador.

Based on my experience over the last 18 months, I have found out that Mr. Siracusa is anything but a good will ambassador and that his law firm has a lock on a huge percentage of the probate business in San Francisco.

Earlier today, I went to the court website and did a quick survey.

The first thing I did was determine how many cases are on the Probate calendar for Monday, March 21, 2011…56 cases.  I then went through each case and found out which attorneys are involved.  Lawrence “Larry” Siracusa and his merry band of thieves are involved in 16 of the 56 cases:  35%.  35%!

Just for the fun of it and because I was very curious, I went to lawyers.com and searched for Wills and Estate Planning Law Firms in San Francisco. I also included the immediate area surrounding San Francisco since attorneys from San Mateo County, Marin County, etc. also represent victims of the probate system in San Francisco.  According to lawyers.com, there are 430 such law firms.

Recap:

56 total cases

16 cases to Team Siracusa and

40 cases to the other 429 law firms

UNBELIEVABLE!

Team Siracusa has billed my Grandmother’s Trust over $350,000 for legal and professional fees in just 15 months!  Team Siracusa is also responsible for another $250,000 in expenses bringing the grand total to $600,000.  A staggering $40,000 per month.

In August of 2009, just one month after this case started, Lawrence “Larry” Siracusa negotiated a deal with my attorney.  In a nutshell, Larry told my attorney in an email that if I agreed to mediation, the case would be over…no more litigation…no more legal fees!  I agreed to mediation and the case was dismissed but just six weeks later, Lawrence “Larry” Siracusa and Elizabeth Adler filed the exact same case against me.  They even filed it under the dismissed case number!  I was blown away!

I am currently fighting Team Siracusa and trying to undo some if not all of the damage that has been done.

Lawrence "Larry" Siracusa

My Brother

He cried at night and the role of protector I would assume,
Terrified of those clowns who lived in the closet of his room.

I worried about my brother every single day of my life,
My first priority even after I became a mommy and a wife.

His well being was always my first concern, it's true,
Just wanted him to be happy, it was the least I could do.

Our Dad died when we were so young just 14 and 11
Lives were changed forever when Gary went to Heaven.

The sadness in his eyes broke my heart, haunted my soul,
Taking care and protecting him from harm was my main goal.

Until 18 months ago, I thought he was the one person I could trust,
I always thought that family ties and loyalty were an absolute must.

My brother betrayed me with his horrific lies and disgusting greed,
A brother without a conscience or heart is one that I do not need.

Never thought that life would take this turn and end up like this,
Despite all the hurt he has caused, my brother I truly do miss.

Lori Ann DeMartini
March 19, 2011

A Lifetime of Memories on 11th Avenue

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Laurel Heights Convalescent Hospital

My Grandmother was terrified by the thought of ever having to live in a nursing home.  For as long as I can remember, I promised her that would never happen and I would always take care of her.

My Grandmother has enough money to pay for 24 hour care in her own home yet the conservators have decided that she will spend the rest of her days in a nursing home.  I have sent many emails to both the conservators and all the attorneys involved in this situation.  I have researched the benefits of in-home care and sent them the information.  Professionals overwhelming recommend in-home care over nursing home care for a patients like my Grandmother.

There is absolutely NO legitimate reason why my Grandmother cannot go home.  The cost of her care at home would be LESS than the $9000 per month being spent at Laurel Heights Convalescent Hospital.

I contacted my Grandmother's only living sister and BEGGED her to intervene.  She never even responded.  I often wonder how she would feel if the roles of the two sisters were reversed and she was the one in the nursing home.  I KNOW my Lala Nora (one of my Grandmother's other sisters who died in March of 2009) would NEVER allow my Grandmother to die in a place like Laurel Heights.  She would have done everything she could to help me and make sure that my Grandmother went home.

FACTS:

Laurel Heights - NO ACCREDITATION
The cost of my Grandmother's care is $300 per day but only $144 of that amount is applied towards her care.  The rest of the daily fee is used for administrative fees at the hospital.

My Grandmother is only tended to 4.83 hours per day.  The rest of the time...19.17 hours...she is left totally alone.

Laurel Heights does not accept Medicare or Medicaid.  They are a private pay facility.  Therefore, they have absolutely NO government reporting requirements! 

My Grandmother has healthcare that is supplemented by Medicare.  If she were at home, her insurance would pay part of the bill.  She has NO insurance coverage at Laurel Heights!

There are days that I am so frustrated and angry by the unfairness of what is happening to my Grandmother that I just want to scream!  Today is one of those days.  Not a good day if you planned on calling me.

The Conservator Cash Cow

SEE HOW IT WORKS!

This just happened this morning.  Here is an example of how conservators and their attorneys steal from the elderly.

Last week, Elizabeth Adler filed a Petition to sell my Grandmother's house.  The bill for that Petition will probably be $4000 or $5000.  Attorney's time, conservator's time, preparation time, filing fees.

On Tuesday, Elizabeth Adler filed a Declaration to her Petition to sell my Grandmother's house.  The purpose of the Declaration was to make two changes to her original Petition.  I estimate the cost to my Grandmother's Trust for these changes will be $2500 or more.


SEE HOW IT WORKS?

The Court Appointed Attorney

I attended a probate hearing today and am actually very pleased with the outcome.  As I waited for my case to be called, one of the court appointed attorneys for my Grandmother walked in front of me.  When I saw him, my initial reaction was rage but rather than allowing myself to get angry over what he has done, I sat there and wrote this poem...

Calls himself Bruce or Mr. Feder so they say,
He suddenly appeared on the scene one day.

Says the court appointed him to represent Katie D.,
Nothing in the court files to support this that I could see.

Claims to represent Noni, her trust and estate,
If he thinks Noni likes him, he doesn't know Kate.

Old Bruce is one of them, a corrupt probate thief,
Truly shocking, what they've done is beyond belief.

          Kato, Feder & Suzuki is Bruce's firm in the City,
          That people like him practice law is such a pity.

          Bruce is definitely not the brains of the group,
          He actually comes across as a nincompoop!

          Another opportunist lining the pockets of his ugly suit,
          Self-serving, arrogant, pompous and rude to boot,

          A question for Bruce and his pals who lie and steal,
          If it were your Grandmother, how would you feel?

          Lori DeMartini
          March 16, 2011

Tour of 1462

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Noni's Garden

From the time I was a little girl, I remember spending hours and hours in Noni's garden.  It was our favorite place to be.  We grew apples, plums and strawberries, and my Grandfather always had a wonderful vegetable garden where he grew carrots, lettuce, basil, tomatos and beets.  My job was to water the garden and help "harvest the crops".

When I moved back to my Grandmother's house to take care of her after she was diagnosed with severe Alzheimer's dementia, the garden was the place that my Grandmother and I would go each day.  She would sweep, and I would garden.  We spent many hours together each day.  This picture and the one above were taken just before the conservators took over.




Once the conservators took over and hired the unqualified, uncertified caretakers to care for Noni, the caregivers could not be bothered with the garden and did not care that it was my Grandmother's favorite place.  They would not allow her access to the garden, but they did allow the weeds to grow despite the fact that I literally begged them to hire someone to come in and cut them down.  I even offered to do it myself but they would not allow me to be with my Grandmother.  Below are pictures taken in the neglected garden last April.  I found a large dead rat in the backyard the day I took these pictures.

Weeds grew to well over 4 feet before the conservator finally hired someone to tend to the garden.  Shortly after that Noni had a stroke, was hospitalized and never returned to her home on 11th Avenue.  She is now in a GOD AWFUL nursing facility-Laurel Heights Convalescent Hospital.  The conservators and their attorneys refuse to allow her to go home. Instead they want to sell the house in order to pay for the outrageous, unwarranted fees and charges they have incurred in just 16 months:

$600,000! 

 Below are more pictures of garden after the conservators took over...

Warning Signs of Conservator Abuse

Conservatorship/Guardianship = Conserve/Guard

To guard "incapacitated" or "incompetent" people from harming themselves and to conserve their assets and property.

If someone you know needs help with their assets or property there are several warning signs to look for...signs that they might be having problems with a conservator or guardian.

-  The guardian-conservator treats you as an outsider instead of a relative, friend or loved one.

-  Your loved one does not get his or her mail.

-  The guardian-conservator sees to it your loved one does not have access to a phone.

-  When you visit, the guardian "hovers" or even employs someone to hover so you are not alone
    with your loved one.

-  If your loved one is in a nursing home, you are only allowed to visit in the dining room or
   recreation room.

-  Your loved one appears to be more sluggish, perhaps even dazed.

-  You start seeing questionable documents and realize financial accounts are closed or changed
    and the statements have been diverted to the guardian-conservator.

-  You discover the taxes have not been paid...or even filed.

-  The nursing facility tells you when you visit you "upset" your family member or upset the staff.

-  You are denied input about your loved one's care - the doctor will not talk to you - you are
    shut out.

-  Items are missing from your loved one's home.

-  The guardian-conservator refuses to take your call or answer your questions.


    Provided by National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse

The Conservator

They call themselves conservators and fi-doo-she-aries,

They spend all the money then sell the house if you please.

Approved by the court, and they don't even care,

Taking advantage of the elderly, it's really not fair.

  

The attorneys are worse if you can believe that,

You know hogs get slaughtered and pigs just get fat.

Isolation and medication, just slip them a pill,

They take the helpless prisoner against their will.

Filing their petitions and sometimes a motion,

Always in the courtroom causing commotion.

So easy for them to fool their clients you see,

Stealing and lying comes to them so naturally.

They are heartless and driven by greed it's true,

I hope and pray that this never happens to you!

_________________________________

Dedicated to

 Elizabeth A. Adler, Adler Fiduciary Services

Herb Thomas, Herb Thomas and Associates

Both Ms. Adler and Mr. Thomas are professional conservators

as well as fiduciaries currently stealing from the elderly and

destroying families all over the Bay Area including mine.