In a decision that relies in part on international human rights law to help interpret “an outmoded, constitutionally suspect statute,” a surrogate has terminated the guardianship of a woman because she now has adequate assistance from family and social services to engage in less restrictive “supported” decision making.
In one of her last rulings before retiring from the bench, Manhattan Surrogate Kristin Booth Glen (See Profile) terminated the guardianship for Dameris L., a woman once deemed to be functioning at the mental age of a 7-year-old who is now a married mother assisted by family and social workers in making decisions such as learning English and undergoing sterilization.
