ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER New FINRA Rule to Prevent Financial Elder Abuse Looking out for Seniors The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is the independent authority that governs the nation’s financial industry. Recently, FINRA has focused on the financial exploitation of seniors. A new FINRA rule, taking effect this month, requires that brokers […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Understanding Annuities If you are over 60 and nearing retirement, the question of whether you should purchase an annuity as part of your retirement savings plan is likely to come up. Insurance agents and advisors, who stand to make a commission on any sale, promote annuities as important […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Financial Exploitation of Seniors American seniors lose an estimated $30 billion as a result of financial elder abuse. Much of the abuse goes unreported because victims are ashamed or unable to speak up. Federal and State legislatures and industry groups are stepping in to encourage reporting and expanding […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes  Medication Concerns Drugging of nursing home residents has become an enormous problem in this country. Human Rights Watch, one of the world’s leading humanitarian watchdog groups, recently released a report slamming the nonconsensual drugging of nursing home residents. In an average week, according […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Caregiving Gone Wrong: Caregiver Fraud A silver picture frame is missing, a gold bracelet is gone, a new cellphone can’t be found, a bank account hemorrhages cash. Talk to anyone who’s hired a caregiver for an older loved one, and theft is almost always a major worry. Bringing […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER What is Long Term Care Insurance? Long Term Care Insurance is sold by agents to help you pay for nursing homes, assisted living and home health aides when you become unable to take care of yourself. Now, though, reports indicate that the long term care insurance industry is […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Beware of Surrenders, Churns, Replacements, Twists, and Switches Whenever an insurance salesman or financial advisor recommends you replace or exchange an annuity you own, be sure to get a second opinion. Annuity replacements (also known as churns, exchanges, twists, or switches) often result in surrender penalties, new commissions, […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER What Are Powers of Attorney? A Power of Attorney (POA) is a very important legal document where the principal authorizes an agent to act on the principal’s behalf. The authority of the agent ends either when the principal revokes their authority, or on the death of the principal. […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes Resident Evictions Complaints about allegedly improper evictions and discharges from nursing homes are on the rise in California according to government data.  The trend is disturbing and frankly outrageous: such complaints have risen 70% in the last five years reaching 1,504 complaints during […]

ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER The Duties of Trustees Many Californians, especially seniors, create trusts to hold their assets. Sometimes, the individual creating the trust (known as the “settlor”) also acts as his or her own trustee.  Often, however, settlors appoint others to act as trustees.  Appointed trustees may include family members, financial […]