First Court of Appeals justice in Houston serving with Alzheimer’s disease, records show

[Elderberry]

Houston Chronicle by  Samantha Ketterer Oct. 30, 2019

First Court of Appeals justice in Houston serving with Alzheimer’s disease, records show

An appeals court justice serving Southeast Texas continues to sit on the bench as she suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, all while facing familial discord over the control of her $8 million estate, court records show.

Her sons launched an effort this month to become her legal guardians, alleging that Justice Laura Carter Higley, 72, is continuing with her daily routine in a manner contrary to the path of her failing cognitive health. That includes driving herself to work downtown and serving in her capacity on the First Court of Appeals based in Houston, said sons Garrett C. Higley and Robert Carter Higley.

“Due to the recent (and rapid) progression of her Alzheimer’s disease, Justice Higley’s mental state has deteriorated to the point that she is no longer able to care for her own physical health or manage her own financial affairs,” the Higley brothers said in the filing for guardianship.

Laura Carter Higley became the subject of the guardianship case in mid-October, just a week after receiving an official diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, according to documents filed in Harris County Probate Court No. 2. Her wellness issues began more than a year earlier with a diagnosis of an unspecified mild neurocognitive disorder, the sons said in their attempt to pull decisions regarding Higley’s care away from her husband, West University Place Mayor Bob Higley.

More: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/First-Court-of-Appeals-justice-in-Houston-serving-14582760.php

[PeteS in CA]

If she really has a diagnosis of Alzheimer's and is showing signs of dementia, it's a very sad thing, but she is no longer fit to serve as a judge.

[Elderberry]

Abbott accepts resignation of First Court of Appeals justice diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Abbott-accepts-resignation-of-First-Court-of-14814571.php

Gov. Greg Abbott this week accepted the resignation of a Houston-area appeals judge who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Justice Laura Carter Higley didn’t cite her illness in her notice to the governor, however, instead saying that she felt it was time to retire after a long career.

“I have been honored to serve the State of Texas for 17 years as Associate Justice on the First Court of Appeals,” she wrote in the Oct. 31 letter. “I have written more than 70 opinions a year and served with some very fine judges. I am now in my 72nd year and the time has come to retire.”

[Wingnut]

That ended well.   Thanks to her sons..