Stop Financial Elder Abuse With a Skilled, Specialized Attorney in California

- By Gretchen M. Stone

When your elderly loved one calls to share concerns that her bank account is empty, and her neighbor won’t stop visiting, it might be a case of elder financial abuse. The crime is a growing concern in California, one that often begins at the hands of a trusted individual or institution. Perpetrators need to be held accountable so they and people like them are stopped in their tracks. The only way justice can be served is for victims and their families to seek out specialized legal help. When you contact a California elder financial abuse lawyer at Arias Sanguinetti, you will learn to recognize abuse, understand the role of specialized attorneys, and find legal support.

What a California Elder Financial Abuse Lawyer Does

It can be challenging for a victim to explain their fear or difficulties. The first important aspect of understanding elder financial abuse is defining it and sharing information widely, so it isn’t a silent epidemic. Theft, fraud, and coercion involving an elderly person’s finances are all forms of elder financial abuse. They are especially heinous because the victims have a difficult time defending themselves, due to age and frailty.

When an empowered elderly person, or close friend or relative, hires a specialized attorney, that individual is crucial in proving a crime has been committed, and does so through a multi-tiered system. The attorney investigates the crime, gathers evidence, and then represents clients harmed by misdeeds. You may want to consult an elder financial abuse lawyerif you suspect exploitation.

Common Signs of Elder Financial Abuse

Elder financial abuse takes on the same common forms of financial abuse against individuals seen in other cases. When an independent elderly person has close relatives who stay in contact by phone, it’s important that those relatives regularly ask the older person if anything is wrong in life. For instance, large unexplained withdrawals or bank account changes are one major sign of elder financial abuse. Another obvious sign is when missing valuables or property causes severe emotional distress, a fact that some elderly individuals keep a secret due to fear of reprisal. Regular communication can help them trust loved ones so they report their fears and problems in their home.

When regular communication stops, this is one key sign of another type of elder financial abuse, isolation of the elder from family and friends. This should be reported immediately to local law enforcement officers. Finally, a common concern among families living at a distance from their elderly parents and relatives is suspicious changes in wills or power of attorney. At the same time, common perpetrators of financial elder abuse can include family members, caregivers, financial advisors, and also strangers running scams.

Legal Protections for California Elders

California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act is an important tool protecting seniors 65 and older and any dependent adults from physical, financial, or emotional abuse, neglect, isolation, and abandonment. The law also establishes reporting mandates, allows civil lawsuits, and criminal charges for abusers. The types of legal actions it allows, in addition to civil lawsuits, include restraining orders and financial recovery. When financial elder abuse has been committed, possible compensation or restitution routes exist, and the best way to understand options is to contact a specialized attorney.

How to Choose a Trusted Elder Financial Abuse Lawyer

The statute of limitations may vary, but victims generally have up to four years from the date of discovery. When looking for an attorney, search out individuals with experience in elder abuse and financial exploitation cases. Also, consider firms with a strong record of successful verdicts and settlements. As a third component of selecting an attorney, consider the importance of compassionate client service and confidentiality.