kupuna donates to legal aid after receiving help

One of the biggest signs of a grateful client is when they donate back to Legal Aid.

*Esther did just that after a successful guardianship case handled by Senior Staff Attorney Joni Domingues, Kupuna Legal Aid Services. 

Esther, 78, has been her older sister’s caregiver since 2020 when her sister moved to Esther's house after being evicted and her belongings placed on the street. Esther's sister had missed rent due to the onset of dementia.

The challenge of caring was physical, emotional, and especially financial for Esther who lives alone (her children are all out of the house) and only survives on her monthly social security pension. She neither had extra hands nor cash to help her. 

“I was worried because we cannot touch her money and there was not enough to buy groceries or pay for bills,” she said. 

If Esther applied for guardianship, she would be able to legally access her sister’s money and use it to take care of her.

Through a social worker, she got in touch with Legal Aid and the application process began.  

“Esther seemed emotionally exhausted and at her wits' end about what to do with her sister who was very challenging to care for,” recalled Joni. “And yet Esther also had such compassion for her and wanted to do the right thing.” 

Joni persevered with Esther in meeting the requirements, including locating another sibling for consent. 

“She was very supportive and patient, she helped me from beginning to end,” Esther said.

In May 2022, after a virtual court hearing, Esther finally received the guardianship papers.  

“The hearing went very smoothly,” said Joni. “Our partnership with the referring hospital and social worker has enabled us to directly utilize a resource that was never available to us before. Because Esther was concerned that her sister could become agitated at the hearing, the social worker agreed to attend to provide support.”

“I was so amazed and really thankful and grateful that Joni helped me out all the way,” said Esther, who feels relieved to be her sister’s legal guardian. “I really admire Joni. You can tell how sincere she is in helping me out because even during the pandemic, she came over to my house to help with the paperwork because I told her I was not good at communicating using the computer. She is very helpful and resourceful.”

Right now, Esther is currently looking for a foster home. She still prefers a professional to properly care for her sister.

“I am thrilled that our Kupuna Services was able to offer Esther and her sister help in their time of need,” Joni said.