Mauricio Umansky has taken legal steps to establish a conservatorship for his 81-year-old father, Eduardo Umansky. The real estate mogul filed for the conservatorship, seeking to serve alongside his sister, Sharon Umansky Benton, as co-conservators for both Eduardo’s personal care and financial affairs. This decision follows a filing on August 14 that indicated Eduardo’s inability to care for himself.
In a petition for appointment of probate conservator obtained by PEOPLE, Mauricio and Sharon expressed concerns regarding their father’s girlfriend, alleging that she has been exploiting Eduardo’s vulnerabilities for her own gain. The petition claimed that her behavior has limited Eduardo’s ability to socialize and has led to an increased level of control over his life.
“Over the course of the past few months, the proposed conservatee’s girlfriend has become more controlling, limiting and regulating who he can visit,” the filing stated. “She has begun to isolate him and is trying to get married even though they have been together for twenty years and never decided that they wanted to marry.”
In a distressing incident recounted in the petition, Mauricio and Sharon took their father out to lunch without informing his girlfriend. This action allegedly provoked an intense emotional reaction from her, which led to claims of verbal and emotional abuse directed toward Eduardo.
“Petitioner is informed and believes and thereon alleges that Eduardo is unable to resist undue influence and fraud and has been taken advantage of by his girlfriend,” the complaint continues. “Over the course of the past eighteen months, Eduardo and Mauricio have discovered that his girlfriend has taken, secreted, and appropriated more than $260,000 from him through undue influence and/or fraud.”
The documentation details a troubling financial pattern, alleging that Eduardo wrote more than $260,000 in checks to his girlfriend, purportedly for no reason other than her requests. Furthermore, an additional $100,000 in unexplained expenses raised additional red flags.
“PC is unable to stop this abuse and behavior and is asking for assistance in reigning in this spending,” the petition concluded, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
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Financially, the petition outlines Eduardo’s situation, indicating an annual gross income of $200,000 and $20,000 in personal property, with no real estate assets listed. The Agency founder and his sister have indicated that their father does not have a developmental disability but is “unable to properly provide for his personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter” and is “substantially unable to manage his financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence.”
Attached to the petition was a document bearing Eduardo’s signature, which indicates his consent to the conservatorship, dated June 11, 2024. This detail adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as it suggests that Eduardo may have been aware of his circumstances prior to the filing.
The family is set to appear in court at the end of October, where a judge will determine the validity of the conservatorship request. The documents show that Eduardo is expected to attend the hearing, allowing him the opportunity to voice his thoughts on the matter directly.
The decision to pursue a conservatorship reflects deep concern for Eduardo’s well-being, especially in light of the alleged manipulative behavior by his girlfriend. As Mauricio and Sharon navigate this difficult process, they are focused on ensuring that their father’s needs are met and that he is protected from any potential exploitation.
