In 2022, there were concerns that someone might be taking advantage of Wendy Williams financially. To protect her assets and ensure her financial well-being, a court appointed someone
to manage her money. This is called a financial guardianship, and it’s different from a conservatorship, which gives someone much broader control over another person’s life.
What Happened?
A court order placed Wendy Williams under a financial guardian in 2022. This decision stemmed from concerns raised by Wells Fargo, her bank, about “undue influence and financial exploitation.” The specifics of these concerns haven’t been made public, but they centered around how her finances were being managed. Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., faced scrutiny but denied any wrongdoing.
Financial Guardianship vs. Conservatorship
It’s crucial to distinguish between a financial guardianship and a conservatorship, as the two terms are often used interchangeably but have distinct legal meanings.
- Financial Guardianship: This legal arrangement appoints someone to manage the financial affairs of an individual deemed incapable of doing so themselves. This can be due to various reasons, such as age, cognitive decline, or mental health issues. The individual under guardianship retains certain rights, unlike in a conservatorship.
- Conservatorship: A conservatorship grants much broader legal control over an individual’s life, encompassing both their financial affairs and personal decisions. This can include aspects like medical care, housing, and daily living activities. Conservatorships are typically reserved for situations where the individual is deemed unable to make sound decisions in all aspects of their life.
The Takeaway
While both financial guardianships and conservatorships involve legal intervention to protect individuals, they differ significantly in scope. In Wendy Williams’ case, the court order established a financial guardianship, meaning it specifically addressed concerns about her financial management, not her overall well-being as a conservatorship would.
The rest of the response remains the same:
- Details Unclear: The exact details haven’t been made public, but there were questions about how her finances were being managed. Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., was scrutinized but denied any wrongdoing.
Cher’s Son Elijah Blue Allman:
- Conservatorship Request: Cher sought a conservatorship over her son Elijah Blue Allman in 2023.
- Reason: Cher cited Elijah’s struggles with mental health and substance abuse, claiming he couldn’t manage his finances and was potentially at risk.
- Status: The court didn’t immediately grant Cher’s request. There’s no public information on the final outcome.
In short:
- Both cases involved attempts to control finances due to concerns about the individual’s well-being.
- Wendy Williams’ situation was a court-ordered financial guardianship, while Cher requested a conservatorship for her son.
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