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Wendy Williams’ Guardianship Under Scrutiny Amid Conflicting Reports

The guardianship of television personality Wendy Williams has come under intense examination in the media, which prompted a response from her guardian’s legal representative. In an elaborate statement, the attorney for Sabrina Morrissey has expressed strong discontent regarding the portrayal of the situation in various news outlets.

The attorney’s letter to TMZ condemned much of the recent information as “untrue, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading.” This comes after Wendy Williams, now 60, was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), leading to her relocation to an assisted living facility. Despite her condition, Williams has publicly asserted her cognitive capacity and is actively contesting the guardianship arrangement imposed by the court.

The statement from Morrissey’s attorney clarified that the guardianship was ordered by a judge and not by Morrissey herself. It also mentioned that Williams’ earlier attempts to terminate the guardianship were dismissed, though she is reportedly working on a new petition to reassess the situation.

Regarding her current living environment, the attorney emphasized that Williams is receiving “excellent medical care,” and has access to amenities such as a spa, workout center, dining services, and outdoor terraces. However, Williams has claimed that she is restricted from leaving her unit without prior approval, raising concerns about her autonomy within the facility.

While the guardian’s legal representative insists that Williams has unrestricted communication with her family and even managed two trips to Florida recently, Williams’ own interviews paint a starkly different picture. She has indicated that she is unable to receive calls or host visitors regularly, and faced a court ruling that initially denied her a visit to see her father for his birthday—a decision that was later reversed following the airing of the documentary “Saving Wendy.”

Although acknowledging Williams’ FTD diagnosis, the attorney’s letter did not address her claims of being misdiagnosed. Williams was recently taken to a hospital where she underwent a capacity assessment, which she reportedly passed. The results are set to influence future court deliberations regarding her guardianship.

Compounding the scrutiny surrounding her guardianship is the issue of financial compensation for Morrissey. The attorney revealed that Morrissey has only been paid once, receiving less than $30,000 for her services, and has been working pro bono since 2022. Determination of future payments will ultimately be at the discretion of the court.

Morrissey reiterated concerns that negative narratives about Wendy Williams not only misrepresent her situation but also jeopardize her health and welfare—a claim that underscores the sensitive nature of guardianship issues.

Judicial Concerns About Wendy’s Independence

In a troubling development, emails from Judge Lisa Sokoloff to Williams’ attorney suggest a move towards further restrictions on Williams’ independence. The judge is quoted as questioning whether Williams is capable of handling the freedoms she has been granted and alluding to potential consequences should Williams continue to publicly comment on her circumstances.

Sources close to Williams have suggested that the move toward tightening restrictions may be retaliatory, as she has actively voiced her desire to escape a guardianship she describes as abusive. The New York Police Department and Adult Protective Services are reportedly investigating her living conditions.

Williams was originally set to appear on “The View,” but uncertainties remain about her participation. Whoopi Goldberg referenced her desire to check on the timing of the appearance, indicating a long-standing familiarity with Williams.

Last month, during a phone conversation captured by TMZ, Williams described her existence as “isolated,” commenting on the stark limitations imposed upon her. She noted that in the past month, she had only left the premises twice, reinforcing her sentiment of being treated more like a prisoner than a client under guardianship.

Upon questioning about her experiences, Williams expressed frustration with the system, asserting that it has failed to uphold her rights and desires for freedom. Discussions among journalists and media figures suggest that while she expresses a wish for her personal autonomy, obstacles remain formidable.

For more insights into Wendy’s ongoing situation, viewers can check “TMZ Presents: Saving Wendy” available on Tubi.

Furthermore, Wendy and her niece joined “The Breakfast Club” in January, where they discussed her conservatorship and living conditions more candidly.

Source
extratv.com