Sam Meranto, the 94-year-old infomercial personality known for his self-help programs, is embroiled in a contentious legal dispute with his wife, Cynthia, 65. At the heart of the conflict are accusations that Cynthia is attempting to place Meranto in a nursing home against his will and gain control of his considerable assets.
The legal battle officially began on March 9 when Cynthia Meranto filed a petition for emergency temporary guardianship and conservatorship, citing her husband's alleged 'major neurocognitive impairment' and inability to make decisions regarding his care and finances. She sought to have these roles made permanent.
However, Sam Meranto maintains he is mentally sound and fears that a conservatorship would limit his access to money, friends, and family, ultimately leading to his placement in a nursing home. He has stated, "This is my castle. I'm a prisoner in my own castle."
According to court filings, issues surrounding Meranto's health surfaced in July of the previous year when he was hospitalized after a fall and subsequently moved to a care facility. During his stay, Meranto reportedly expressed his strong dislike for the facility, posting extensively on Facebook about whether he could be held against his will if deemed mentally competent.
In February, Meranto's adult sons from his first marriage, Jeffrey and Jason, removed him from the care facility and moved him into a family home. They informed the court that Cynthia had restricted their visits with their father. Cynthia countered that the restriction was due to concerns about Meranto driving, which she deemed unsafe, and accused Jeffrey of withdrawing money from their father's accounts.
Meranto has since appointed his son Jeffrey, also known as Rico, as his power of attorney, replacing Cynthia. Cynthia alleges this change was made under manipulation, while Rico asserts that his father willingly signed the documents seeking his help to leave the care facility.
Cynthia's attorney has argued that Meranto has a "progressive life-limiting illness" and lacks the capacity to make responsible decisions. This assertion has been challenged by Meranto's court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem, Steven L. Evans, who stated in July that Meranto is in "remarkably good shape for a man of his age" and that maintaining relationships with his children is in his best interest.
Maricopa County Probate Judge Kerstin LeMaire appointed Cynthia as Meranto's temporary guardian and conservator in July and also named her the sole trustee of his estate. The judge ruled on July 23 that Meranto is an incapacitated person, citing sufficient evidence for an interim finding.
Cynthia has requested a protective order to suspend visits between Meranto and Rico, citing Rico's past federal tax evasion conviction and suggesting that contact with him could be detrimental to Meranto's well-being. She also seeks to monitor visits with other family members.
Meranto, who has three surviving children from his first marriage, has expressed his love for his wife and children and opposes any limitations on seeing his family. He has also requested to change his court-appointed lawyer and is demanding a jury trial to determine the necessity of a permanent guardian and conservator. As of Thursday, these requests had not been granted.
Cynthia, who was 22 when she married Meranto in 1983, has been working with him at his meditation and self-help business since then. The couple, who share a $1 million home in Phoenix, have been living apart since July of the previous year.