Financial Elder Abuse
Our elder population in Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles Counties has grown in the last decade due to advances in modern medicine. Elders are some of the most vulnerable members of society and are particularly susceptible to fraud and exploitations of their wealth. In California, the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act allows a civil tort lawsuit against the perpetrator of financial elder abuse against a person or entity who has wrongfully taken, concealed or disposed of property of an elder or a dependent adult with the intent to defraud. It extends to those who assist in the taking, secreting, appropriating of the elder’s property. Anyone, including financial institutions and its representatives, care providers, friends, family members and even a spouse can commit financial elder abuse. The elder can bring financial elder abuse claims while living or the estate or the heirs can bring these claims after death.
Bringing financial elder abuse claims in the probate court is extremely complex. Further, there are certain time limitations with which to bring your claims. You should immediately seek legal advise from an attorney regarding your situation.