Ex Parte Coffee County Dept. of Human Res.

The Coffee County Department of Human Resources (DHR) received several telephone calls concerning the welfare of Leola Nichols, an elderly resident of Enterprise. The callers were concerned that Ms. Nichols was being exploited financially. DHR investigated those concerns and determined that Ms. Nichols might benefit from having a conservator appointed to handle her financial affairs.

DHR then filed a "Petition for Letters of Conservatorship" in the Coffee County Probate Court. The probate court appointed Ms. Nichols a guardian ad litem and set the matter for a hearing. Ms. Nichols retained…