Janet Dixon, who battles advanced dementia, had been the center of a bitter family feud that began in 2018 when her children vied to decide who would oversee her care.
While the brothers, James “Jim” Dixon and Merritt “Sandy” Dixon, had initially signed papers granting Jim authority over health and finances, daughter Lysa Dixon McCullough moved into the house in July 2024 to provide full‑time care and later challenged the arrangement.
In December 2024, Jim hired a professional caregiver, prompting a heated dispute that escalated to police involvement and a courtroom battle over visitation rights and asset control.
Court hearings revealed that Jim had transferred portions of Janet’s assets into a trust and a personal bank account, raising concerns about undisclosed funds and potential misappropriation.
The court also examined a recorded confrontation between Lysa and Sandy, wherein Lysa fell to the floor after an altercation, and concluded the recording violated court decorum.
With the appellate decision now in place, the brothers must relinquish their guardianship claims, and the county administrator will oversee Janet’s finances until a permanent solution is reached.