Luke 8:17 (NIV): "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." Truth cannot stay buried-what is hidden will one day be revealed. At Eyes on Probate, we believe that exposing the concealed harm within probate courts is not only justice-driven work, but a fulfillment of this very promise.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Michigan — May 2025 — After 15 years of fighting a corrupt and abusive probate court system, one Michigan family is speaking out—loudly. Melissa Edwards has launched Eyes on Probate: Action Against Abuse, a nonprofit watchdog and advocacy initiative focused on exposing guardianship exploitation, trust abuse, and court corruption in the probate system.
Her inspiration? Her sister, Kim Edwards, an educator whose future was taken from her after a preventable brain injury during childbirth. What followed was a devastating cycle of court-imposed guardianship, financial exploitation, family silencing, and judicial misconduct that continues to this day.
“They said they were protecting my sister,” Edwards said, “but they took away her voice, locked her into a system designed to profit off her disability, and punished us for trying to protect her.”
Kim’s personal injury settlement was placed into a special needs trust without family consent. The trust has been managed by court-appointed fiduciaries who isolated Kim, denied her basic support, and refused to allow trusted family members to participate in decisions affecting her life. Multiple attorneys and judges allowed—and in some cases enabled—the abuse.
Now, through Eyes on Probate, Edwards is using her legal training, personal experience, and community support to spotlight what many families silently endure.
What happened to Kim is not rare. Across the country, families report similar patterns: elderly or disabled people forced into guardianship, their assets placed in court-controlled trusts, and family advocates removed, silenced, or even retaliated against.
Eyes on Probate is calling for legislative reform, transparency in probate court proceedings, and real oversight of judges, attorneys, and fiduciaries who misuse their power.
“This is not just a probate issue. It’s a civil rights issue. It’s a disability rights issue. And it’s a human rights issue,” said Edwards.
The Eyes on Probate website features:
A forensic case brief and crisis timeline
Court Watch volunteer and misconduct reporting tools
Legislative reform proposals and policy recommendations
A public resource hub for families facing probate abuse
The organization has submitted materials to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and Michigan lawmakers, calling for independent investigations and legal reform.
Eyes on Probate: Action Against Abuse is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization led by survivors of probate exploitation. The group is committed to court accountability, guardianship reform, and support for families navigating legal abuse. They believe in defending the rights of the vulnerable—and exposing those who profit from their silence.
To schedule an interview or request documents:
Email: eyesonprobate@gmail.com | Phone: 586-459-0886
Shining a Light on Probate Abuse
Eyes on Probate: Action Against Abuse is a survivor-led nonprofit committed to exposing corruption, exploitation, and abuse in the probate court system. We’ve experienced firsthand the trauma these courts inflict on families—and we’ve documented the truth.
This page serves as our official media center. Here you’ll find evidence, press releases, and key materials designed to inform, educate, and amplify the urgent need for reform.
Melissa Edwards
Founder, Eyes on Probate
Email: eyesonprobate@gmail.com
Phone: 586-459-0886
Location: Michigan (available for interviews and speaking)
To the left are fthe following documents:
Crisis Brief: What Happened to Kim Edwards
A high-level overview of the personal and systemic consequences of abusive guardianship and judicial misconduct.
Probate Crisis Brief & Investigative Report
A detailed, evidence-based breakdown of 15 years of systemic probate abuse, including court retaliation, disability rights violations, and trust fund exploitation.
Forensic Case Brief
A fact-based summary of key events, legal violations, and actors involved in the probate case of Kim Marie Edwards.
Press Release
A public statement calling for oversight, reform, and accountability in Michigan’s probate courts.
We have submitted documentation and reform proposals to the following:
United Nations Human Rights Committee
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division
Michigan House Judiciary Committee
National Disability Rights Network
Guardianship and trust abuse
Judicial misconduct and systemic bias
Disability rights violations in court
Legal and emotional impact of probate abuse
Legislative reform and policy gaps
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Stay informed and help us raise awareness by following Eyes on Probate across our social platforms. We share real-time updates, advocacy content, and stories that expose the truth about probate court abuse. Join the movement — your voice matters.
