John Belt incapacitated adult guardianship case

John Belt, a 58-year-old man suffering from severe dementia, and Avis Wingo, a 55-year-old woman, were married in 2018. Medical records identify Belt as "totally incapacitated" on June 20, 2018, whereas Wingo applied for a marriage license 8 days later. Belt's family were neither invited to the wedding nor aware of it beforehand. They filed a petition to dissolve the marriage, claiming it was based on fraud. The family accuses Wingo of marrying Belt for his $33,000 yearly pension and social security benefits. Wingo has power of attorney over Belt, which the family contests.

Belt's daughter and sisters claim Belt was tricked into marrying Wingo while on a cruise and express concern that Wingo prevented contact with Belt's friends and family. Wingo denies the allegations and states that Belt was in his right mind and wanted to marry her. A hearing is scheduled for February 13, 2024, to decide on the dissolution of the marriage and guardianship of Belt.