Concerns about guardians exploiting older adults and people with disabilities in New Jersey rose sharply in 2025. The finding comes from an NJ.com examination that Disability Scoop published on Aug. 27, 2026.
What court volunteers found
The state has more than 37,000 guardianships overseeing more than $1.2 billion in reported assets, according to state judiciary officials. Volunteers in the court's Guardianship Monitoring Program reported 694 escalated concerns to judges in 2025, more than two and a half times the 252 reported in 2024. They included nearly 90 cases of inappropriate, unitemized or unexplained spending, 80 cases of inconsistent reporting of income or assets, 30 incorrect fee calculations and nine property sales made without required court approval. Judiciary officials said better reporting and data analysis may explain part of the increase, but some attorneys who handle guardianship cases were skeptical.
Why this matters for providers and DSPs
DSPs and case managers are often the people most likely to notice missing money or sudden changes in a person's circumstances. Agencies should train staff to recognize and report possible guardian exploitation and support less restrictive alternatives where they fit.