In Re: McCrum, W., Appeal of: McCrum, A. ( 2020 )


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  • J-A30023-19
    NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
    IN RE: WILLIAM MCCRUM, AN                  :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
    INCAPACITATED PERSON                       :        PENNSYLVANIA
    :
    :
    APPEAL OF: ANNA MCCRUM                     :
    :
    :
    :
    :   No. 1035 MDA 2019
    Appeal from the Order Entered May 22, 2019
    In the Court of Common Pleas of Huntingdon County Orphans’ Court at
    No(s): 2019-17
    BEFORE:      DUBOW, J., NICHOLS, J., and COLINS, J.*
    MEMORANDUM BY NICHOLS, J.:                                FILED JUNE 30, 2020
    Appellant Anna McCrum appeals from the order denying her petition for
    special relief requesting permission to contact her husband, William McCrum
    (Mr. McCrum), an incapacitated person. Appellant argues that Appellees, the
    plenary co-guardians of Mr. McCrum, cannot refuse to allow Appellant to
    contact or visit Mr. McCrum in a care facility when the guardianship order does
    not include a no-visitation provision. We affirm.
    By way of background to this appeal, Mr. McCrum and Appellant married
    on October 29, 2005.           Mr. McCrum has three adult children, including
    Appellees, from a previous marriage. Currently, Appellant is approximately
    eighty years old. Mr. McCrum is approximately eighty-five years old and has
    ____________________________________________
    *   Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.
    J-A30023-19
    been diagnosed with a number of ailments including Alzheimer’s disease and
    vascular dementia.
    Appellant cared for Mr. McCrum in their home until Mr. McCrum suffered
    a fall in October 2018. N.T., 5/13/19, at 56, 78. Following a hospital stay,
    Mr. McCrum lived in several residential care facilities.      Id. at 80-83, 86.
    Appellant removed Mr. McCrum from his current care facility, Graystone Manor
    (the facility), against medical advice.1 Id. at 14, 88.
    On January 18, 2019, the Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton County Area
    Agency on Aging (the Agency) received two reports of caregiver neglect
    regarding Appellant’s removal of Mr. McCrum from the facility and conducted
    an investigation to determine their validity. Id. at 13-14. The investigation
    uncovered that Appellant had removed Mr. McCrum from two prior care
    facilities against medical advice. Id. at 14. Appellant had not arranged for
    skilled nursing to assist her in Mr. McCrum’s care at home. Id. at 15. Further,
    ____________________________________________
    1 While the report to the Agency indicated the removal was against medical
    advice, there was no discussion on the record of specific medical advice given
    for Mr. McCrum. N.T., 5/13/19, at 14. Our review indicates that there is no
    recommendation of a no-contact order barring Ms. McCrum’s visitations in any
    of the medical reports. Dr. Elias Rifkah, Mr. McCrum’s attending physician,
    prepared a medical evaluation on March 7, 2019. The evaluation indicated
    that Mr. McCrum is incontinent and requires assistance to ambulate. See
    Med. Eval., 3/7/19. Ms. Christina Harnish, a nurse providing daily care to Mr.
    McCrum at the facility, testified that he has 24-hour care at the facility to meet
    his needs. N.T., 5/13/19, at 42. Notably, Appellant was unable to lift or assist
    Mr. McCrum following his fall at home in October 2018. Id. at 57. Appellant
    did not call an ambulance. Id. at 79. Mr. McCrum moved directly to a
    rehabilitation center following his discharge from the hospital. Id. at 80-81.
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    the Agency found that there was a two to four week wait before the necessary
    home nursing care would be available for Mr. McCrum. Id. at 16.
    Pursuant to 20 Pa.C.S. § 5513, the Agency filed a petition for emergency
    plenary guardianship of Mr. McCrum on the basis that he could not care for
    himself and that he was not receiving adequate care at home. That same day,
    the orphans’ court granted the petition and appointed the Agency as the
    emergency guardian. The court then appointed Ray A. Ghaner, Esq., as
    attorney for Mr. McCrum.2 The Agency returned Mr. McCrum to the facility on
    January 18, 2019.         On the same day, Ms. Swan, an Agency supervisor
    informed Appellant that “until further notice, she was not to have any contact
    with Mr. Crum.” Id. at 18-19. This verbal directive was never memorialized
    in writing.    On January 23, 2019, the Agency placed Appellant on the no-
    visitation list after Mr. McCrum became agitated during a phone call with
    Appellant. Id. at 6-8. On January 25, 2019, Ms. Heaton, who is Ms. Swan’s
    supervisor, informed Appellant by telephone that she would not be permitted
    further phone calls with Mr. McCrum. Id. at 7-8. This verbal directive was
    also not memorialized in writing.
    On February 1, 2019, the Agency filed a petition3 to determine the
    incapacity of Mr. McCrum and to appoint the appropriate guardian, limited or
    plenary.      On March 11, 2019, the orphans’ court held a hearing on the
    ____________________________________________
    2   20 Pa.C.S. § 5511(a)(2).
    3   20 Pa.C.S. § 5512.1(a).
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    Agency’s petition.       At the hearing, a medical evaluation, a psychiatric
    evaluation, and a letter from Dr. Elias Rifkah, Mr. McCrum’s primary physician,
    were all admitted by agreement of counsel to support a finding of a lack of
    capacity.    Testimony at the hearing indicated that Appellant removed Mr.
    McCrum from care facilities against medical advice three times, including the
    January 2019 removal, and did not have adequate care available in their
    home. Following the hearing, the orphans’ court adjudicated Mr. McCrum
    totally incapacitated pursuant to Section 5512.1(a), and appointed Appellees,
    Timothy and William McCrum, to serve as plenary co-guardians of Mr.
    McCrum’s person and estate.4 Appellees maintained the no-visitation directive
    against Appellant that the Agency established as the emergency plenary
    guardian.
    In response, Appellant filed the instant emergency petition for special
    relief on April 16, 2019, alleging that Appellees exceeded the scope of their
    authority as guardians by barring contact between Appellant and Mr. McCrum,
    and that the decision was not in Mr. McCrum’s best interests.5    The orphans’
    ____________________________________________
    4   20 Pa.C.S. § 5512.1(e).
    5 The orphans court properly treated Appellant’s petition as a request for a
    review hearing on the basis that the petition alleged that the plenary co-
    guardians failed to perform their duties in the best interest of Mr. McCrum by
    adopting the Agency’s no-visitation directive. See Gavin v. Loeffelbein, 
    205 A.3d 1209
    , 1222 n.16 (Pa. 2019); see also Pa.O.C.R. 14.9. The statute
    provides:
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    court held a hearing on May 13, 2019. The orphans’ court summarized witness
    testimony from the hearing in its Memorandum, dated July 29, 2019, filed in
    lieu of a Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, as follows:
    19. Ms. Lori Heaton, a Supervisor II with the Agency testified at
    the May 13, 2019 hearing.
    20. Ms. Heaton has thirty-two years of experience with the
    Agency.
    21. She testified that on January 18, 2019[,] the Agency received
    a report of need regarding [Mr. McCrum].
    22. She indicated she appointed Ms. Mary Beth Swan, an Aging
    Care Manager Supervisor to manage the case.
    23. Ms. Swan testified that she has had extensive training in the
    field of elder care.
    *       *   *
    26. Ms. Swan testified that the reports . . . indicated neglect on
    the part of [Appellant] since she had removed her husband
    against medical advice from [the facility on January 18, 2019].
    27. Ms. Swan indicated that she verified this information, and
    talked to Mr. McCrum’s doctor.
    28. Then, she said, she went to the McCrum residence and met
    Mr. [McCrum and Appellant].
    ____________________________________________
    § 5512.2. Review hearing
    (a) Time of hearing.– . . . The court shall conduct a review
    hearing promptly if the incapacitated person, guardian or any
    interested party petitions the court for a hearing for reason of . .
    . the guardian’s failure to perform his duties in accordance with
    the law or to act in the best interest of the incapacitated person.
    The court may dismiss a petition for review hearing if it determines
    that the petition is frivolous.
    20 Pa.C.S. § 5512.2(a).
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    29. Appellant told her . . . that she brought [Mr. McCrum] home
    because she felt it was a better situation for him even though she
    had not arranged for caregivers to come to the home to assist in
    Mr. McCrum’s care.
    30. Ms. Swan testified that [Appellant] told her she was not able
    to provide care for her husband.
    *    *    *
    32. According to Ms. Swan, [Appellant] reacted with anger to the
    prospect of the Agency being appointed guardian of [Mr.
    McCrum].
    33. [Appellant], [Ms. Swan] testified, went behind [Mr. McCrum,]
    who was seated in a chair, put her arms over him in order to
    restrain him, and then told him in a loud voice that his children
    were splitting them up and were trying to ruin their marriage.
    34. Mr. McCrum became very distressed, and began to cry
    according to Ms. Swan.
    *    *    *
    38. Ms. Swan testified that her training and experience with
    respect to elder dementia have taught her that individuals with
    dementia require low stimulation environments.
    39. Thus, she said it is her custom and practice to remove family
    members and caregivers who are contentious or difficult
    40. Consequently, in this case, she subsequently issued the no
    contact [directive] which is the subject matter of this litigation.
    41. The [o]rder, she said, was based on what occurred on January
    18, 20[1]9, her interactions with [Appellant] and the information
    she received from collateral sources.
    *    *    *
    43. Therefore, in this case, [Ms. Swan] learned that the removal
    of Mr. McCrum from [the facility] on January 18th was the third
    time in several months that [Appellant] had removed her husband
    from a care facility.
    44. She also learned that her supervisor, Ms. Heaton, ha[d]
    arranged for telephone contact between [Appellant] and [Mr.
    McCrum] on January 23, 2019.
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    45. The call was monitored by Ms. Christina Harnish, a nurse at
    [the facility].
    46. Ms. Harnish testified that the call lasted over an hour, and that
    Mr. McCrum . . . became very agitated and upset.
    47. She heard . . . [Appellant] repeatedly tell Mr. McCrum that she
    wasn’t allowed to come to [the facility] because of his kids.
    48. He cried, she said, because he didn’t understand.
    *    *    *
    61. Tim, a Co-Guardian, said he and his brother William continued
    the no contact [provision] initiated by the Agency because they
    believed and still believe it is in [Mr. McCrum’s] best interest.
    62. Their conclusion, he said, was based on [Appellant’s] behavior
    in the past.
    63. On this point, he testified she kept [Mr. McCrum] isolated,
    kept him sitting in a chair, and refused to let him walk around or
    attend activities.
    64. Also, Tim related that [Appellant] was never supportive of him
    and his siblings being involved in the care of their father.
    65. Today, he said, [Mr. McCrum] looks healthy, is moving around
    and is happy.
    Orphans’ Ct. Op., 7/29/19, at 3-6, 8.
    The orphans’ court denied Appellant’s petition on May 22, 2019, finding
    that:
    1. The testimony of Ms. Mary Beth Swan was persuasive. She
    expressed the opinion that contact between [Mr. McCrum and
    Appellant] was not in Mr. McCrum’s best interest. She based
    her opinion on her training and education and thirty-nine years’
    experience in the field of elder dementia. In forming her
    opinion she did an investigation that included personal contact
    with [Mr. McCrum and Appellant] and collateral sources
    including Mr. McCrum’s doctor and members of his family. No
    testimony suggested that [Ms.] Swan’s opinion was in error.
    Given the fact that Mr. McCrum no longer knows who Mrs.
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    McCrum is, it cannot in our view be successfully argued that no
    contact with her is detrimental to him.
    2. Ms. Lori Heaton who is Ms. Swan’s supervisor obviously
    approved the no contact [directive] issued by Ms. Swan. Ms.
    Heaton had thirty-two years of experience and this [c]ourt . . .
    found her opinions and judgments reliable. Again, no evidence
    was presented in this case to refute the Agency’s decision that
    no contact was in Mr. McCrum’s best interest.
    3. . . . The testimony was unequivocal that today Mr. McCrum is
    doing very well at [the facility] and that he is healthy, happy,
    and social. In short there is . . . no reason for this [c]ourt to
    interfere.
    Id. at 11.
    Appellant filed a timely motion for reconsideration on June 3, 2019.6 On
    June 24, 2019, Appellant simultaneous filed a timely notice of appeal and
    statement of matters complained of on appeal. The orphans’ court filed a
    responsive opinion on July 29, 2019.
    In her brief, Appellant raises three issues for our review.
    [1]. Whether the [orphans’] court abused its discretion in applying
    the statute and evaluating the best interests of [Mr. McCrum.]
    [2]. Whether the [orphans’] court erred in evaluating the evidence
    presented that denied [Appellant] access to her husband[.]
    [3]. Whether the [orphans’] court erred when it denied the
    petition without any evidence that [Mr. McCrum] desired to
    remove the Appellant from his life[.]
    ____________________________________________
    6   The orphans’ court did not expressly rule on the motion.
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    Appellant’s Brief at 7.7
    Our standard of appellate review of an orphan’s court decree employs a
    deferential standard. In re Estate of Strahsmeier, 
    54 A.3d 359
    , 362 (Pa.
    Super. 2012). However, we must ensure that the court’s decision is free from
    legal error. In re Estate of Rosengarten, 
    871 A.2d 1249
    , 1253 (Pa. Super.
    2005). Our Supreme Court has reiterated the principle that reviewing courts
    are “bound by the trial judge’s finding of facts unless the findings are not
    based on competent evidence. Conclusions of law, however, are not binding
    on an appellate court whose duty it is to determine whether there was a proper
    application of law to fact by the lower court.” In re Peery, 
    727 A.2d 539
    ,
    540 (Pa. 1999) (citation omitted).
    Therefore, “the orphans’ court decision will not be reversed unless there
    has been an abuse of discretion or a fundamental error in applying the correct
    principles of law.” In re Estate of Leipold, 
    208 A.3d 507
    , 510 (Pa. Super.
    2019) (citations omitted and some formatting altered).           “An abuse of
    discretion exists when the trial court has rendered judgment that is manifestly
    unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious, has failed to apply the law, or was
    motivated by partiality, prejudice, bias, or ill will.” In re Duran, 
    769 A.2d 497
    , 506 (Pa. Super. 2001) (citation omitted).
    ____________________________________________
    7 Appellees, the plenary co-guardians, did not submit a brief. Ray A. Ghaner,
    Esq., counsel for Mr. McCrum, submitted a brief as Appellee indicating his
    client’s inability to express a preference in this matter due to his incapacity
    and impairment.
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    In her first issue, Appellant essentially argues that the orphans’ court
    abused its discretion when it determined that the plenary co-guardians’ action
    of placing Ms. McCrum on the no-visitation list was in Mr. McCrum’s best
    interests. Appellant’s Brief at 15. Appellant contends that the court’s findings
    were contrary to Pennsylvania’s Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries Code
    because the record lacked “any medical [testimony] and competent evidence
    that it was in [Mr. McCrum’s] best interest to deny visitation.” 8 Id. at 16.
    Appellant concedes that Mr. McCrum has Alzheimer’s disease and should
    be in a care facility. Id. at 19-20. However, Appellant asserts that because
    “there was testimony that [Mr. McCrum] was doing well at the facility and
    being responsive and stable, visits must be an option to reunite the married
    couple at the facility.” Id. at 21-22.
    In her second issue, Appellant argues that the orphans’ court erred in
    denying her petition without medical or ”any other evidence presented by
    guardians” that removing Appellant from Mr. McCrum’s life is in his best
    ____________________________________________
    8  Pennsylvania’s Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries Code defines an
    incapacitated person as follows.
    § 5501. Meaning of incapacitated person
    “Incapacitated person” means an adult whose ability to receive
    and evaluate information effectively and communicate decisions
    in any way is impaired to such a significant extent that he is
    partially or totally unable to manage his financial resources or to
    meet essential requirements for his physical health and safety.
    20 Pa.C.S. § 5501.
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    interests.    Id. at 23.     Appellant argues that she was never told that her
    presence in Mr. McCrum’s life was detrimental to his health.            Id. at 25.
    Further, Appellant asserts that “[p]rior to the appointment of the guardians,
    [she] visited and cared for [Mr. McCrum] on a daily basis.” Id.
    Appellant’s third issue is similar, in which she argues that the orphans’
    court denied her petition without “any evidence” that Mr. McCrum desired to
    remove her from his life. Id. at 26. Appellant asserts that the orphans’ court
    erred because Mr. McCrum never sought a divorce or otherwise expressed a
    desire to remove Appellant from his life.          Id.   Appellant contends that by
    terminating her visits with Mr. McCrum, Appellees have obstructed her
    marriage resulting in a constructive divorce. Id. at 24, 27. Appellant argues
    that there is a lack of evidence supporting the orphans’ court’s finding that
    prohibiting contact with her husband is in his best interest, nor has Mr.
    McCrum expressed the preference to terminate contact with Appellant. Id. at
    26, 28.
    Attorney Ghaner, counsel for Mr. McCrum, responded to Appellant’s
    petition as the Appellee in this matter9 and asserted that he is unable to
    discuss this matter intelligently with his client to determine his preference
    because Mr. McCrum cannot effectively communicate due to his impairment
    and incapacity. Appellee’s Brief at 2-3. Further, Attorney Ghaner argues that
    the orphans’ court’s order that approved plenary co-guardians’ action of
    ____________________________________________
    9   The plenary co-guardians did not file briefs in this appeal.
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    maintaining Ms. McCrum on the no-visitation list, which prohibits Appellant
    from visiting or calling Mr. McCrum at the facility is sufficiently supported by
    the evidence in this case. Id. at 2. Attorney Ghaner further contends that
    our non-precedential decision, In re Sabatino, 
    2016 WL 6995384
     (Pa. Super.
    Nov. 30, 2016) (unpublished mem.), permits counsel to respond on an
    incapacitated person’s behalf when they are unable to communicate because
    of impairment pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.14 and
    20 Pa.C.S. § 5502.10 Id. at 2-3.
    ____________________________________________
    10  Pa.R.A.P. 126(b), amended effective, May 1, 2019, provides that non-
    precedential decisions, referring to unpublished, memorandum decisions of
    the Superior Court filed after May 1, 2019, may be cited for their persuasive
    value. The Superior Court Operating Procedure 65.37, provides that
    unpublished memorandum decisions filed prior to May 2, 2019, shall not be
    relied on or cited by a court or party except in certain circumstances. In re
    Sabatino was filed by this Court on November 30, 2016, and cannot serve as
    persuasive legal authority. See generally Coleman v. Wyeth Pharm., Inc.,
    
    6 A.3d 502
    , 522 n.11 (Pa. Super. 2010) (stating that “[a]n unpublished
    Superior Court memorandum decision [filed before May 2, 2019] shall not be
    relied upon or cited by a Court or a party in any other action or proceeding,
    except that such a memorandum decision may be relied upon or cited (1)
    when it is relevant under the doctrine of law of the case, res judicata, or
    collateral estoppel, and (2) when the memorandum is relevant to a criminal
    action or proceeding because it recites issues raised and reasons for a decision
    affecting the same defendant in a prior action or proceeding” (citation
    omitted)).
    Although Attorney Ghaner cited a pre-May 2, 2019 unpublished memorandum,
    the brief’s citation to Rule 1.14 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional
    Conduct and 20 Pa.C.S. § 5502, provide reliable legal authority.
    Rule 1.14 governs an attorney’s representation of a client with diminished
    capacity.
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    In response, Appellant argued that the record lacked competent
    evidence of Mr. McCrum’s expressed preferences aside from the assertion of
    Attorney Ghaner. Appellant’s Reply Brief at 5-6. Appellant further argues
    that Attorney Ghaner did not take adequate steps to discern the preferences
    of Mr. McCrum. Id. at 6.
    Significantly, in addition to the testimony above, Attorney Ghaner stated
    that his client’s dementia is very advanced and he is not able to communicate.
    ____________________________________________
    Rule 1.14. Client with Diminished Capacity
    (a) When a client’s capacity to make adequately considered
    decisions in connection with a representation is diminished,
    whether because of minority, mental impairment or for some
    other reason, the lawyer shall, as far as reasonably possible,
    maintain a normal client-lawyer relationship with the client.
    Pa.R.P.C. 1.14(a).
    Further, the purpose of Pennsylvania’s Decedents, Estates and Fiduciaries
    Code is set forth in Section 5502.
    § 5502 Purpose of chapter
    Recognizing that every individual has unique needs and differing
    abilities, it is the purpose of this chapter to promote the general
    welfare of all citizens by establishing a system which permits
    incapacitated persons to participate as fully as possible in all
    decisions which affect them, which assists these persons in
    meeting the essential requirements for their physical health and
    safety, protecting their rights, managing their financial resources
    and developing or regaining their abilities to the maximum extent
    possible and which accomplishes these objectives through the use
    of the least restrictive alternative; and recognizing further that
    when guardianship services are necessary, it is important to
    facilitate the finding of suitable individuals or entities willing to
    serve as guardians.
    20 Pa.C.S. § 5502.
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    See N.T., 5/13/19, at 112. He also informed the court that Mr. McCrum does
    not recall Appellant or his children by name and gives the name of his first
    wife when asked to whom he is married. See id. Attorney Ghaner further
    stated that he met with Mr. McCrum twice in February of 2019, after the no-
    visitation directive was established, and Mr. McCrum was not able to
    communicate his preferences to counsel. See N.T., 3/11/19, at 34-35.
    The powers, duties, and liabilities of guardians of the person and estate
    are described in 20 Pa.C.S. § 5521.
    § 5521. Provisions concerning powers, duties and liabilities
    (a) Duty of guardian of the person.—It shall be the duty of the
    guardian of the person to assert the rights and best interests of
    the incapacitated person. Expressed wishes and preferences of the
    incapacitated person shall be respected to the greatest possible
    extent. Where appropriate, the guardian shall assure and
    participate in the development of a plan of supportive services to
    meet the person’s needs which explains how services will be
    obtained. The guardian shall also encourage the incapacitated
    person to participate to the maximum extent of his abilities in all
    decisions which affect him, to act on his own behalf whenever he
    is able to do so and to develop or regain, to the maximum extent
    possible, his capacity to manage his personal affairs.
    *       *      *
    (d) Powers and duties only granted by court.—Unless
    specifically included in the guardianship order after specific
    findings of fact or otherwise ordered after a subsequent hearing
    with specific findings of fact, a guardian or emergency guardian
    shall not have the power and duty to:
    *       *      *
    (2) Prohibit the marriage or consent to the divorce of the
    incapacitated person.
    20 Pa.C.S. § 5521(a), (d)(2).
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    Instantly, during the May 13, 2019 hearing, the orphans’ court admitted
    into evidence the letter from Dr. Rifkah, Mr. McCrum’s primary physician. See
    N.T., 5/13/19, at 28. The letter, which was prepared for the March 11, 2019
    incapacity hearing, included a full list of Mr. McCrum’s diagnoses. Although
    Dr. Rifkah’s letter did not address the issue of contact between Mr. McCrum
    and Appellant, the orphans’ court credited the testimony of Ms. Mary Beth
    Swan, who indicated that due to Mr. McCrum’s dementia, Appellant’s
    contentious behavior was adverse to her husband’s well-being. See id. at 23;
    see also Leipold, 208 A.3d at 510.           In finding Ms. Swan’s testimony
    persuasive, the orphans’ court considered her thirty-nine years of experience
    in elder care and particularized training in dementia. See N.T., 5/13/19, at
    13, 22; see also Leipold, 208 A.3d at 510.
    Further, the orphans’ court credited Ms. Swan’s informed opinion that it
    was in Mr. McCrum’s best interest to prohibit contact between him and
    Appellant. See N.T., 5/13/19, at 21-22; see also Leipold, 208 A.3d at 510.
    The orphans’ court also considered the testimony by Ms. Harnish that she
    witnessed Mr. McCrum becoming very upset over the course of his January
    23, 2019 phone call with Appellant.    See N.T., 5/13/19, at 39; see also
    Leipold, 208 A.3d at 510.
    We conclude that the orphan’s court did not abuse its discretion in its
    order approving plenary co-guardians’ placement of Mrs. McCrum on the no-
    visitation list.   The court’s findings were amply supported by competent
    evidence that the plenary co-guardians acted in the best interest of Mr.
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    McCrum,    who    was   adjudicated    totally   incapacitated   and   could   not
    communicate his preferences in this matter. See Peery, 727 A.2d at 540.
    The orphans’ court’s order, which evidenced its legitimate concern for Mr.
    McCrum’s care and well-being, was supported by the record with extensive
    medical and lay witness testimony at the review hearing discussed above,
    including the fact that Appellant removed Mr. McCrum from the facility three
    times without authorization.
    Our review of the record indicates that the orphans’ court was concerned
    and did consider that Appellant is married to Mr. McCrum in its difficult
    decision to affirm her placement on the no-visitation list, and we share this
    concern. Even if the facility maintains a written no-visitation list, the verbal
    directive to Appellant that terminated contact with her husband until further
    notice has not been memorialized in writing to define the process by which
    Appellant could resume contact with him, including supervised visits and
    phone calls.
    However, Appellant is not without recourse, and she may request that
    the plenary co-guardians remove her from the no-visitation list, which would
    reasonably require Appellant to follow the rules and regulations of the facility.
    Further, Appellant may petition the orphans’ court for a review hearing if she
    believes that the guardians failed to perform their duties in accordance with
    the law or failed to act in the best interest of Mr. McCrum, pursuant to Section
    5512.2, if her request to be removed from the no-visitation list is denied. See
    Loeffelbein, 205 A.3d at 1222 n.16.
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    Accordingly, for the reasons herein, we affirm the orphans’ court’s order.
    Order affirmed.
    Judge Dubow concurs in the result.
    Judge Colins files a dissenting statement.
    Judgment Entered.
    Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
    Prothonotary
    Date: 06/30/2020
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