ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Financial Elder Abuse Increasing
Spotting Signs Of Financial Elder Abuse
Remedies For Injured Seniors
One California city is launching a special law enforcement task force to combat financial elder abuse within the community. According to the city’s announcement, over 5 million Americans each year are victimized as a result of an elder abuse crime, and, city authorities believe, financial elder abuse is one of the most under-reported. A council member explained that for every one case the city receives on financial abuse for elders, 44 are not reported. Financial elder abuse is an especially disastrous form of abuse of seniors, who are isolated in the homes because their spouse has died and they are unable to get out of the house often if at all. Many of them have in-home caregivers. Sadly, seniors may be targets of abuse from these very people they have entrusted to care for them. Most cases, according to reports, remain unreported because the victim is embarrassed or ashamed by what has happened, or because they suffer from cognitive impairment and are unaware of the abuse. The financial elder abuse attorneys at Evans Law Firm, Inc. is able to represent victims and their families in Ross and throughout Marin in civil actions against all manner of elder abusers: caregivers, trustees and those acting under Powers of Attorney, insurance agents, brokers, reverse mortgage lenders, financial advisors, embezzling family members, contractors, and scam artists. If you or someone you know is the victim of financial elder abuse in Ross or elsewhere in Marin County, California, call Evans Law Firm today at 415-441-8669.
Spotting Signs of Financial Elder Abuse
A senior who is isolated and alone is easy prey for financial predators. In fact, isolation is a common denominator in most of the financial elder abuse we see at Evans Law Firm. If you’re the loved one of a senior, stay involved in the senior’s life and look for signs of financial elder abuse. Some red flags are:
- The senior transfers or wires unusually large amounts of money.
- There are suspicious withdrawals from accounts, strange credit card charges, and dubious checks written on the senior’s account.
- Longstanding accounts are closed and new accounts are opened.
- Important papers or valuables go missing.
- The senior is reluctant to discuss financial matters.
- The senior changes his or her Will, Trust, or other estate plan unexpectedly.
- The senior is confused about financial matters.
- A new individual or caregiver has quickly become overly involved in the senior’s life.
Remedies for Injured Seniors
Remember if you’re a senior or the loved one of a senior to be cautious in all financial matters. Know that anyone could be a potential financial predator. Report financial elder abuse to the authorities when you first suspect it but also seek counsel to pursue all available remedies under California law including the mandatory award to you of attorneys’ fees for bringing your case.
Do not relinquish authority by a Power of Attorney to anyone unless it’s someone you completely trust. Never, ever, grant a power of attorney to a caregiver. Make sure checks are kept in a safe place. Keep an eye out for strangers who suddenly become over-involved in a senior’s daily life. Lastly, if you’re a senior, don’t isolate; let loved ones and longtime friends and professionals help you just as you helped them in your younger years. If you’re the loved one of a senior stay involved and maintain daily contact.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial elder abuse in Ross or elsewhere in Marin County, California, contact financial elder abuse attorney Ingrid Evans and the other Evans Law Firm financial elder abuse attorneys at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our attorneys have experience with all types of financial elder abuse, investment and securities fraud and annuity fraud. We can guide your case through a jury trial, through a FINRA arbitration if required when the abuser is a broker or financial advisor, or toward an equitable settlement. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.
