Michael Oher shocked the world and fans of The Blind Side after allegations that his big-screen story was a lie. What he thought was an adoption by Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, he claims was, in fact, a conservatorship. As attorneys look into the former Baltimore Ravens player’s conservatorship filing, they’ve been finding some “puzzling” details.
It was last week that Michael Oher alleged the Tuohys lied about his adoption and stole his film royalties. Based on the legal petition the former professional athlete filed, he’s requesting for his conservatorship to come to an end. People obtained the 2004 conservatorship placed on Oher at 18. Stewart Crane, a practicing attorney for conservatorship law, found a strange detail about Oher’s 2004 file. It doesn’t show there he had any physical or mental disabilities.
“There is a procedure in Tennessee to adopt an adult, so why they chose to go that route for conservatorship is kind of a little puzzling to me.”
Another Tennessee-based attorney, Ronald Nevin, found the 2004 file unusual after reviewing its premise and documentation. When People looked at the document, it said, “Oher shall not be allowed to enter into any contracts or bind himself without the direct approval of his conservators.” Nevin said this is not a typical conservatorship as conservators usually only can make medical decisions for the person under it. But as mentioned before, Michael Oher had no physical or mental problems.
Crane said that Michael Oher had no mental issues as he had a successful academic career. In his first year at Ole Miss, the practicing attorney said he excelled in school. The Blind Side subject even went as far as to make the Dean’s List during his second year. He had a successful run playing for the NFL for eight seasons.
What’s next for Michael Oher’s Conservatorship to End?
Michael Oher’s petition alleges that the Tuohys told him a conservatorship and an adoption are the same thing. Ronald Nevin, however, states otherwise. Adoption would grant Oher rights for inheritance. A conservatorship, on the other hand, would not. Nevins said through this conservatorship that the Tuohys have power over Oher’s financial and medical decisions. The Tuohys have denied they’ve had anything to do with his finances. A source from The Blind Side told People $700,000 in rights, payments, and profits was reportedly intended to be divided towards all the Tuohys, including Michael Oher.
As stated by Nevin and Crane, courts will follow up with the conservators for an annual financial accounting for Oher. This means that the Tuohys should have filed an annual report of the former NFL player’s finances with the Shelby County probate court. And yet, no public filing seems to exist. The Tuohys have since expressed their willingness to revoke the conservatorship.
Nevin said what comes next is Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy must explain to the Shelby County probate court if they received money on Oher’s behalf and if it’s been correctly distributed to him. As for Michael Oher, he needs to provide a doctor’s letter that proves he’s capable of handling his own finances and medical decisions. As the court process plays out, more facts will come to light based on Oher’s petition.
