Laurie Roberts, an Arizona Republic columnist, has written a series of articles about how an 88 year old woman named Marie Long went from having $1,3 million in 2005 to having nothing.  Most of her money went to attorneys and care givers with the approval of the Maricopa County Probate Court.  See Laurie's previous posts on this subject:

• From wealth to welfare: how much court “protection” can one old lady afford? (October 21, 2009)
• It costs $19.50 to get directions? Really? (December 2, 2009)  See the Republic's correction to this story.
• Woman, 88, who lost savings may get some back (January 23, 2010)
• Old lady goes to federal court (and now she has company) (January 29 , 2010)
• Judge: probate attorneys were justified in taking $473,000 from old lady (March 19, 2010)
• Review of Probate Court ordered (March 26, 2010)
• Probate court asked to sanction attorneys in Marie Long case (April 10, 2010)
• Guardian balked at aiding widow while draining trust (April 21, 2010)
• Cost of this probate protection: a quarter of a million dollars (May 11, 2010)
• Probate judge violates ethics code (May 17, 2010)
• Probate judge's e-mail raises eyebrows (May 18, 2010)
• Judge orders Ellis and probate attorneys to his courtroom (May 21, 2010)
• Look at judge's actions may get widow some money back (May 22, 2010)
• Maricopa County Judge Ellis to Superior Court: Bite Me (June 4, 2010)
• Why did a retired probate commissioner hang on to the Marie Long case? (August 25, 2010)