A shocking case has emerged where a state-managed trust in Western Australia charged a six-figure sum to a woman with dementia despite losing her assets, highlighting concerns over systemic failures. The Public Trustee’s Office, described as “overworked and under-resourced,” billed the woman $137,000 while administering her estate, which incurred losses during its management.
The woman, who has dementia, had her assets—including three Perth properties—handed over to the Public Trustee due to family disputes. Over eight years, the office reported deficits in managing her estate, including rental losses from two properties it leased out after spending $24,000 on renovations like oven replacements. Her family member Daniel (pseudonym) accused the agency of “complete mismanagement,” pointing to documents showing the office charged fees for a property Daniel personally managed. Records indicate the trust’s operations resulted in continuous annual losses even after renovations.
Critics say the case underscores broader issues in state-run fiduciary services, where vulnerable clients face financial harm amid alleged administrative inefficiencies. The Public Trustee’s Office has not yet commented on the specific allegations, but advocacy groups are calling for independent reviews into its asset management practices to prevent similar exploitation of dementia patients. This incident has reignited debates about oversight of government-appointed trustees and protections for elderly individuals with cognitive impairments.
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