how to choose the best finantial elder abuser lawyer

by Cecelia Collier 9 min read

Your relationship with your elder financial abuse lawyer is the most important thing to consider when choosing an elder financial abuse lawyer. You must choose a lawyer who understands you, your family, its dynamics, the psychological issues that often come into play, and communicates clearly, sets firm boundaries, has proven experience, and is ...

You must choose a lawyer who understands you, your family, its dynamics, the psychological issues that often come into play, and communicates clearly, sets firm boundaries, has proven experience, and is strategically able to prosecute your claims in your loved one's county of residence.

Full Answer

How can a lawyer help prevent financial elder abuse?

Your relationship with your elder financial abuse lawyer is the most important thing to consider when choosing an elder financial abuse lawyer. You must choose a lawyer who understands you, your family, its dynamics, the psychological issues that often come into play, and communicates clearly, sets firm boundaries, has proven experience, and is strategically able to prosecute your …

What do you have to prove in cases of financial elder abuse?

While there are many ways to attempt to find the best attorney for your elder abuse case, learn how a nursing home lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-959-1444 can help you understand all of your legal options, answer all of your questions, and explain how you may have the legal right to pursue compensation and justice on behalf of your elderly loved one.

Who is at risk of financial elder abuse?

Lawyer Referral Service: If you suspect that someone you love is a victim of elder financial abuse, contact Attorney Search Network today. We can help you find an elder financial abuse lawyer near you who can help you. If you have any questions about the information provided above, please contact us. Call us toll free at (800) 215-1190 or fill ...

Do you need an elder law attorney with litigation experience?

Ideally, it is best to first have a consultation with a good elder abuse lawyer in the victim’s area. An experienced lawyer can advise you on where and how to best make your report. It may also be helpful to review the California Department of Business Oversight’s guidelines for preventing and reporting elder financial abuse , which includes downloadable report forms.

Which are examples of financial abuse of the elderly?

Possible signs of elder financial abuse include:Checks or bank statements that go to the perpetrator.Forgeries on legal documents or checks.Large bank withdrawals or transfers between accounts.Missing belongings or property.Mood changes (such as depression or anxiety)New changes to an elder's will or power of attorney.More items...•Jun 1, 2021

How do you stop elder financial abuse at the hands of loved ones?

If you have an elderly loved one in your life, there are steps you can take to make sure they do not become a victim of abuse....Abandonment.Forge checks.Take retirement or Social Security benefits.Use credit cards.Withdraw from bank accounts.Change names in a Will, life insurance policy, or title to a house.

Is elder abuse hard to prove?

Financial abuse is the most difficult type of elder abuse to prove. There are usually no witnesses involved, and the crime is committed completely out of the victim''s sight. Moreover, physical evidence takes the form of bank records and receipts, which the abuser controls.Jun 17, 1999

What are the consequences of financial elder abuse?

A conviction of a misdemeanor charge can result in up to a year in jail and a criminal fine for the wrongdoer. A conviction of a felony related to elder financial abuse may carry a prison sentence of two to four years in prison and fines, in addition to having to give up the stolen assets.

What do you do when an elderly person is taking advantage of?

Here are some steps to consider taking:Talk to the older person. ... Gather more information or evidence as to what is occurring. ... Contact the older person's financial institution. ... Contact your local Adult Protective Services (APS) office. ... Contact law enforcement.

How do seniors protect bank accounts?

Here are a few ways you can help guard against financial exploitation:Immediately report abuse. ... Create a power of attorney. ... Set up a joint account. ... Name a trusted contact person. ... Use our award-winning mobile and online banking platforms to keep your account safe. ... Take steps to protect yourself.

Which of the following may indicate financial abuse?

Signs of financial abuse Unexplained money loss. Lack of money to pay for essentials such as rent, bills and food. Inability to access or check bank accounts and bank balance. Changes or deterioration in standards of living e.g. not having items or things they would usually have.Oct 26, 2018

Is financial abuse a criminal Offence?

Financial abuse is a form of domestic abuse. It's a crime and should be reported to the police. Financial abuse can take many forms so will look different within different relationships.

What is considered financial abuse?

Financial abuse involves controlling a victim's ability to acquire, use, and maintain financial resources. Those who are victimized financially may be prevented from working. They also may have their own money restricted or stolen by the abuser. And rarely do they have complete access to money and other resources.May 6, 2020

What are the two categories of elderly financial abuse crimes?

Financial crimes against the elderly fall under two general categories: fraud committed by strangers, and financial exploitation by relatives and caregivers.

How do I stop my elderly parent from giving me money?

How to Stop an Elderly Parent from Giving Money Away: 6 TipsStart the Conversation About Finances as Soon as Possible. It's much easier to have conversations about finances in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. ... Block Scam Calls. Add your parents' phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry.Dec 9, 2021

How is elder abuse proven?

To prove there was a breach by the fiduciary or someone else, one or more of the following must be proven: Extensive withdrawal from monetary accounts. Increased or changed spending habits. Someone added to the senior's financial accounts.

What is financial elder abuse?

Financial Elder Abuse. When older people are cheated out of their money or property through illegal or deceptive means, they may be the victims of financial elder abuse. This type of abuse can be perpetrated by family members or strangers, and can often have devastating financial consequences.

How to protect elderly from financial abuse?

Attorneys are bound by strict ethical rules to act in the best interest of their clients, and any deviation from that standard could result in career ending discipline from the attorney’s licensing authority. An attorney who specializes in protecting older people from financial elder abuse can help in many ways, including: 1 Reviewing any potential business ventures that a person may be considering 2 Establishing a trust or other legal entity to protect an elder’s assets 3 Managing an elder’s financial matters 4 Suing anyone who has engaged or attempted to engage in financial elder abuse

Who can help with elder abuse?

An attorney who specializes in protecting older people from financial elder abuse can help in many ways, including: These are just some of the ways that an attorney may be able to help prevent or rectify financial elder abuse.

What is financial abuse of elders?

Financial abuse of elders is an all-too-common offense, which occurs when a person: “Takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both.”. “Assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining real or personal property ...

How to tell if an elder is being abused?

Some warning signs of elder financial abuse to watch out for are: 1 Money missing from accounts 2 Excessive cash withdrawals or credit card use 3 Missing or forged checks 4 Invoices, bills, or collection letters piling up in the mail 5 Lack of food and basic necessities in the elder person’s home 6 Property or valuables going missing from the elder person’s home 7 A noticeable change in the elder person’s mood or demeanor

How long can you go to jail for elder abuse?

Depending on the nature and severity of the crime, jail time can be anywhere from a couple of months up to four years in California. Generally, though, we see financial elder abuse treated only as a civil matter, which means there is no jail time or criminal record for the abuser.

How to report elder abuse?

For a state-by-state list of where to report, go to the U.S. Administration on Aging’s National Center on Elder Abuse website ncea.aoa.gov, or call them directly at 1-800-677-1116.

What is punitive damages?

Punitive damages in a financial elder abuse case refer to additional sums awarded over and above the amount required to directly compensate the victim for their loss. While restitution is ordered for the purpose of making the victim whole, punitive damages are ordered to punish the perpetrator for their wrongful acts.

What to bring to an estate planning appointment?

Once you have arranged an appointment, be sure to bring all information necessary to get the most out of the time with your attorney. Fully informed, open communication will result in the best outcome for estate planning services, long term care planning, and asset protection. Information to bring: 1 Bank and investment account statments including joint accounts 2 Retirement statements including pensions, IRAs and 401 (k)s 3 Mortgage and property tax statements 4 Debt summaries 5 Asset summaries including vehicles, significant posessions, pre-paid funeral plans, and/or expected inheritance 6 Life insurance policies 7 Health insurance policies, including long term care or disability policies 8 Income sources of self and spouse 9 Dependent information 10 Prior estate planning documents including wills, trusts, POA

Who is Bruce Rosenblatt?

Bruce Rosenblatt is a senior housing expert with decades of experience in the elder care industry. Bruce developed Senior Housing Solutions in 2009 and now uses his expertise to educate clients on all available living options and assist them in finding the best fit for their needs and lifestyle.

Do people realize the degree of specialization that exists among attorneys?

“Many people do not realize the degree of specialization that exists among attorneys,” Heiser notes. “You want to make sure that the attorney you hire matches your particular area (s) of concern.”

How to fight back against elder abuse?

You can sue for financial abuse by contacting an elder abuse attorney. Your attorney will investigate your case to determine exactly what happened and who was responsible. We will then go after that party for damages.

What is elder abuse?

Some will physically abuse them, neglect them, steal from them, and manipulate them. All of this behavior is known as elder abuse. A common form of elder abuse is financial exploitation. This is when a person abuses an elderly adult for their own financial gain.

What are some examples of financial exploitation?

Examples of Financial Exploitation and Abuse. People can participate in financial exploitation in a number of ways. Simply taking money from an elder’s wallet is a type of financial exploitation. If the elder didn’t know that it was taken or wasn’t in a mental state to give true consent to someone taking the money, that’s financial exploitation. ...

What is a mortgage scam?

Mortgage Scams – a loan taken out by an unauthorized party in the elder’s name. Insurance Scams – unauthorized changes of life insurance policies, for instance. Electronic Fraud – emails and other forms of phishing. Contractor Scams – getting paid to perform a job but not completing the work.

What is financial abuse of the elderly?

Financial abuse of the elderly includes an array of behaviors from the theft of property to “borrowing” property from an elderly individual with the intention of keeping it because of the individual’s poor memory or lack of will or ability to retrieve it.

What happens when an elderly person's faculties begin to decline?

If an elderly person’s faculties begin to decline to a point where they aren’t capable of making important decisions regarding their finances and health, people they trust may be given the legal powers to begin making decisions for them. This is usually done through a power of attorney or guardianship.

Why is it important to have a fiduciary?

It’s necessary for a fiduciary to always put the best interests of the elderly individual first. There are often strong consequences for a fiduciary who abuses their power and puts their own interests over that of the elderly person who is under their care.

What is a fiduciary relationship?

It exists between the person who is entrusted with decision making for the senior and the senior themselves.

What is breach of fiduciary duty in Florida?

According to the elder exploitation laws in the state of Florida, any breach of fiduciary duty takes place if the guardian or agent isn’t acting in the best interests of the elderly individual.

How to prove elder abuse?

To prove that a person committed the crime of elder financial abuse, a prosecutor must prove the following: 1 That a person committed a financial crime, such as theft, fraud, embezzlement or forgery; 2 That the property involved in the crime belonged to an elder; and 3 That the person involved was a caregiver for the elder; and 4 The person knew or reasonably should have known that the individual was an elder.

What is elder abuse in California?

In California, the crime of elder abuse is taken very seriously. This includes elder financial abuse, which includes both theft and embezzlement of money from an elder (defined as a person over the age of 65). Under California law, prosecutors can charge anyone who mismanages money, property or assets belonging to an elder Californian ...

Is elder abuse a crime?

Elder financial abuse is a serious crime. If you have been charged with any type of elder abuse, you will need an experienced elder abuse attorney in Los Angeles, CA to assist you. Contact the Chambers Law Firm today at 855-397-0210 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about how we can help defend you ...

Is elder financial abuse a felony?

Elder financial abuse can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount of money or property involved; if it was $950 or less, then it will be charged as a misdemeanor. If it was over $950, it could be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.