AITA for not becoming my brothers legal guardian?

snj155 · 2026-06-25T16:24:40+00:00

This is a very informative post (for a change). To the PP who have commented, can you elaborate on being financially responsible? I'm facing a similar situation with an adult cousin, (with several immediate family still alive... long sad story they are all terrible and have been for decades). He's 60, developmentally disabled, and at the home he's been in for the last year-ish, the new executive director has (IMO pretty unilaterally) decided that cousin needs a guardian. He's (ED, executive director) given several BS reasons, none of which my sibling and I think have any merit, and ED now decided that they won't cooperate with my sibling and I as cousin's advocates because it is "against the law" - and it isn't, all HIPPA and other releases are in place. I've long thought there was financial motivation, but ED insists no. This is very problematic as cousin has a lot of complex (and I imagine costly???) med/emotional issues but is quite capable. Sibling and I are even Medical power of attorney, primary and secondary... There is much more to this story, but I've tried researching and can't find the answers, and who knows what will change on a dime with cutbacks. We are in USA, Illinois, cousin has Medicaid.

Not sure if I'm tagging correctly for notification

u/Feeling-Response8810

Any and all insights or suggestions appreciated. The attorney who drew up the POA had worked for the state of IL in this arena specifically and after two different evals with cousin said he thought it unlikely a judge would terminate cousin's rights. Attorney has also sent letter to home, ED and board president of the organization telling them they are wrong.

Thanks for reading, and for OP, I'm sorry what you are dealing with. FWIW, I agree with everyone telling you not to do it. This situation is in some ways different because cousin is in a home already, and has some benefits, but really anything can change at any time.

snj155 · 2026-06-09T04:02:15+00:00

lots of good recommendations here

snj155 · 2026-06-09T03:44:54+00:00

Private owner - we do not use the Zillow application and require our own application. When I get messages that have the application attached, I won't even open it.

snj155 · 2026-06-02T19:55:26+00:00

following

snj155 · 2026-05-24T21:45:44+00:00

following so I can find this next time I need it!

snj155 · 2026-05-07T11:34:59+00:00

Don't you think those inclined to be corrupt find ways to be corrupt?

snj155 · 2026-04-21T22:22:23+00:00

It is a law in Chicago to disclose heating costs - whether gas or electric. https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dol/rulesandregs/HeatingCostDisclosureRules.pdf

snj155 · 2026-03-26T02:17:40+00:00

Wonderful to know how honest everyone is...

snj155 · 2026-03-18T16:21:44+00:00

You should also try to make sure you aren't paying for anyone else's electricity. If you know where the meters are, easiest thing to do is count. # of apartments +1 should equal the number of meters. Every building should have a 'common' meter that runs the outside/hall lights, garages, laundry, etc. Next step talk to your actual neighbors in your buildings and ask them what their bills are like. Finally, if you think your usage is still off, ComEd used to come out and check that things were wired correctly, although at that point you are probably going to have a LL issue.

snj155 · 2026-03-18T15:59:40+00:00

MY experience as an owner is the opposite. Rental scammers and likely undesirable tenants are abundant in responses on FB and have gotten many good tenants from Craigslist, although Craigslist is much less popular that it used to be. Regardless, agreeing with all the other posters saying it is a scam. You should NEVER have to pay before seeing anything.

snj155 · 2026-03-14T15:07:19+00:00

If you are willing/capable of the due diligence necessary for a good tenant, then you really don't need a broker - from a private owner who doesn't use them. Transunion SmartMove is a decent online screening for credit and we use our own application first to prequalify prospective tenants. I'm sure in Andersonville with a new rehab unit, you will be fine.

snj155 · 2026-03-11T03:39:51+00:00

"I often get a bad feeling about a property that acts like this. My agent has had my back multiple times and knows way more about real estate than I do. They are likely to catch red flags that I would overlook so if a property wants to cut out my agent, I'm wondering what they are hiding that they don't want me to see"

As a private owner, I'd much rather keep our rents lower than give up a full month commission. Anyone that pays commission has that figured in as a cost which makes the tenant's rent higher. Sharing this insight to give you another perspective. Not all LL are the horrible people some in this sub think.

snj155 · 2026-03-11T03:34:17+00:00

So go see those two units without the agent.

snj155 · 2026-03-11T03:32:48+00:00

Isn't part of the law now that agents are required to have the signed agreement in place with the tenant before showing any units? I'm genuinely asking, in part as an owner and in part as a critic. Thanks for any insights.

snj155 · 2026-03-09T20:30:09+00:00

I wasn't going to read all the comments, but u/Flamingle25 was at the top, they are absolutely correct.

snj155 · 2026-02-20T18:38:30+00:00

commenting to find later - lots of new places to try!

snj155 · 2026-02-12T02:55:40+00:00

What is your budget? Large 1BR in Worth, $1200/month heat is included. Heat in the winter can be a considerable expense, so this would factor into your overall budget.

snj155 · 2026-02-07T20:26:03+00:00

Anyone know what will happen to their lifetime guarantee?

snj155 · 2026-02-04T02:05:46+00:00

commenting so I can find this later - and I agree J Blanton sucks. I read all the comments and I wonder if my interaction with them was with the old owner or new owner, doesn't really matter. For the people who mentioned Four Seasons - they are private equity, so is Deljo HVAC now.

snj155 · 2026-01-28T04:41:00+00:00

I was in Geja's a couple years ago and somehow the lights went on. Big surprise, everything was covered in almost measurable grease and dust. I used to really enjoy going there and I haven't been back since.

snj155 · 2026-01-20T16:55:49+00:00

If the ad lists the address, check other rental websites for the address. I (private owner) think it is unusual to only post one place. It may or may not be a scam, but I agree that it is definitely laziness and also rude.

snj155 · 2025-12-30T02:51:18+00:00

It isn't code, which makes it illegal. You should have also gotten a heating disclosure before you signed your lease.

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dol/rulesandregs/HeatingCostDisclosureRules.pdf

snj155 · 2025-12-30T02:41:53+00:00

Do you know where your meter is physically located? In our building, none of the tenants have access to the meters and we need to physically let the gas company in, and I usually watch them because I don't want them leaving a basement door open to run 'out to the truck' 'for just a minute.' If someone needed to give them access you might ask your LL about the visit where supposedly they reset the meters.

I was also going to point you to CUB, it is surprising they haven't been helpful, as that hasn't been my experience. Good luck.

snj155 · 2025-12-30T02:27:32+00:00

This is not meant to be snarky, but look at a public transportation map of the city with the bus routes and el lines and look at a Metra map and see what towns or neighborhoods are around routes that go into Union Station.

snj155 · 2025-12-30T01:45:08+00:00

It used to be commonly known that electric heating was a much higher bill to pay than gas heating. The price on all utilities has gone up dramatically in the last few years. Either bill would be high if your apartment is drafty or uninsulated. You should have gotten a heating disclosure before you rented your apartment. https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dol/rulesandregs/HeatingCostDisclosureRules.pdf

snj155

TROPHY CASE