Protecting the Elderly from Financial Exploitation and Other Forms of Abuse

In several cases, the elderly have disinherited family members in favor of recent acquaintances who had befriended the elderly at church, a day-care center, or posing as a licensed medical provider. Some cases involve certain family members exerting undue influence over the elderly for the purpose of disinheriting other family members. Often times, elder abuse occurs when the elderly signs a Durable Power of Attorney, that purports to covey broad powers to the abuser, making financial exploitation highly probable. Other scams involve promising large financial benefits in return for “administrative payments” to the scammers. Protective arrangements may be necessary for the elderly that take certain decision-making functions out of their hands in appropriate cases.