By Andrew Meacham, Times Staff Writer
Friday, September 17, 2010
ST. PETERSBURG — A judge has granted St. Petersburg City Council Chairwoman Leslie Curran's daughter temporary guardianship over her mother.
The petition, granted today by Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Lauren Laughlin, means Stacey Golliner, 33, may make some decisions on her mother's behalf. Curran, who has remained at Bayfront Medical Center, has been hospitalized since she fell from a bicycle Aug. 30.
Adult guardianship is typically awarded when the court finds a person has been incapacitated. An answering machine message at Golliner's home says her mother is in stable condition and improving. Emergency temporary guardianship is usually more limited in scope than a formal guardianship, said Jeff Albinson, Curran's lawyer.
In Curran's case, Golliner's temporary guardian status would likely allow her to make medical decisions, manage property, enter into contracts or apply for government benefits on her mother's behalf, Albinson said.
Golliner also has petitioned for formal guardianship. A hearing on that request will be Oct. 8.