Despite Nominations in Decedent's Power of Attorney, Guardian Applicants Deemed Unsuitable

In re: Guardianship of Isabelle A. Hilt, 6th Dist. Case No. S-14-010, 2015-Ohio-3186. This appeal was brought after the probate court determined that all three of the ward's children should be disqualified. The potential disqualifying issues included the following: lack of communication, convictions for offenses of dishonesty, geographical distance, and lapses of judgment as to handling situations involving the ward and each other. The appellate court upheld the decision even though two of the applicants were nominated in the ward's power of attorney, holding that a trial court is not required to "blindly give any meaning to valid power of attorney which identifies a prospective guardian." Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the applications.