Folsom, CA Financial Elder Abuse Attorney

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Folsom, CA Financial Elder Abuse Lawyer

Financial elder abuse, sometimes referred to as “senior fraud,” consists of a wide range of financial crimes committed on our elderly. Unfortunately, Folsom, CA authorities have noticed an uptick in family members perpetrating these crimes on elderly loved ones. As a result, many financial abuse crimes are left unreported due to the family dynamics involved. However, if allowed to continue, serious financial damage can occur in a short amount of time. We urge you to contact a skilled Folsom financial elder abuse attorney to help you determine the steps necessary to protect your loved one.

Folsom, CA Financial Elder Abuse Lawyer You Can Trust Call (916) 773-6100

What Is Financial Elder Abuse?

Financial elder abuse is defined as the act of taking advantage of the estate or monetary resources of an elderly person. Offenders are usually family members, business partners, health care workers, or, in some cases, strangers. Financial elder abuse crimes are most often committed by way of fraud, trickery, or unauthorized use of personal information to obtain access to financial resources such as bank funds or credit accounts.

Who is at Risk for Elder Abuse?

Victims of elder abuse typically include older adults who:

  • Depend on personal care from others due to mental or physical health decline
  • Have recently lost a spouse who formerly handled financial considerations and accounts
  • May reside in long-term care facilities

Types of Financial Elder Abuse

Offenders have been known to use a variety of tactics to obtain money from older adults. If you notice these behaviors taking place, contact a skilled Folsom, CA financial elder abuse lawyer to help you make a case:

  • Mistreatment and violence. Sometimes, a family member or caretaker will use physical force or verbal threats to get the older adult to turn over money or personal information. Hired caretakers may use this tactic, especially with severely physically impaired patients or patients with dementia.
  • Unauthorized depletion of bank accounts. This type of abuse may occur unrecognized over extended periods of time, especially when the older adult shares a joint bank account with a younger family member, such as a child or a grandchild. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, it is rather easy for the offender to withdraw unauthorized funds from the account without notice. Withdrawals may take place in insignificant amounts at a time over a period of months or years or as a large lump sum withdrawal.
  • Frequent requests for money. If family members know that the older adult has access to larger sums of money, they may ask for a loan or gift and repeat this behavior in a way that takes advantage of the individual. In some cases, older adults who are incapacitated or suffer from dementia will not recognize the pattern.
  • Personal property misappropriation. Sometimes, caretakers, family members, or strangers mislead an elderly individual into selling personal property at a lower value than it is worth. Alternatively, a perpetrator may borrow and never return property of value, such as jewelry or vehicles.
  • Investment fraud. Investment fraud involving the elderly can occur when someone manipulates the older adult into a high-risk investment deal that is dangerous to the persons’ financial status. In many situations, the investment benefits the perpetrators, but not the elderly adult.
  • Internet scams. Elderly individuals unfamiliar with the way financial disclosures on the internet work may be fooled into trusting an unreliable source. The perpetrator may tell the elderly individual of an inheritance owed or a banking mishap or other story that requires them to enter their personal information into an online form.
  • Personal identity theft. Identity theft can occur any time personal information is stolen from the elderly individual’s property or obtained online. Perpetrators may use this information to open bank accounts or credit cards. Others may also use this personal information to obtain medical care under the elderly individual’s name.
  • Real estate fraud. Family members or caretakers may trick an elderly individual into signing over the deed to their home. Convincing an elderly individual to take out a second mortgage at a high interest rate for the benefit of the perpetrator is also a form of financial elder abuse.
  • Unfair roommate situations. Often, an older adult will agree to allow a family member or friend to live in their home as a roommate in exchange for caregiving duties or rent. This may work well for some, but if the roommate fails to uphold their end of the deal, it is a form of abuse and should be reported.

Signs of Financial Elder Abuse

Some warning signs that may indicate elder abuse is occurring are:

  • Unusual bank activity, such as unusually frequent or outsized withdrawals of funds without warning
  • A new friend or unfamiliar relative that accompanies the older adult to banks and seems to know information about their financial situation
  • New account openings followed by increased activity, especially multiple withdrawals
  • Missing money from the home that is suspected stolen
  • Unauthorized use of a credit card
  • Missing or forged checks
  • Lack of essentials in a person’s home
  • Noticeable change in the older person’s mood or demeanor
  • Modifications to a person’s will, trust, deeds, or property titles

How to Report Financial Elder Abuse

In Folsom, CA, report elder abuse to your local law enforcement or Adult Protective Services (APS). Authorities can ensure the abuse stops and pursue potential criminal consequences for the abuser. However, reporting elder abuse to law enforcement is different from seeking a legal, financial remedy for the victim. In order to seek compensation or request the return of funds or property to the victim, it is wise to hire a skilled financial elder abuse lawyer to file a claim against the offender.

In Folsom, California, the statute of limitations requires that you file a claim within four years from when you discover the abuse. If the abuse is currently ongoing, the statute of limitations does not necessarily apply. There are, however, many exceptions to this rule, and it is critical that you speak with a Folsom financial elder abuse attorney to ensure the legitimacy of your claim.

Are you searching for a Folsom, CA financial elder abuse lawyer with the skills and experience necessary to successfully handle your case? The team at McCunn Law is ready to assist you in protecting your elderly loved one from continued financial abuse. Contact our office today to schedule a case evaluation with our compassionate Folsom, CA financial elder abuse attorneys.

Why Choose McCunn Law

Our methods for handling business owner divorce and family law issues are unique. We offer legal assistance for a range of family law cases, including:

Mr. McCunn specializes in a holistic, project management approach which empowers you to make your own decisions throughout the process. He has a reputation as a peacemaker and his honest and pragmatic attitude towards divorce and other family law issues ensures you only pay for the services you need during your case.

“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”

Megan P.

“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”

Megan P.

“McCunn Law is a high-quality and highly knowledgeable legal team. I went into a consultation regarding child custody and was extremely happy with the plan and ultimately the results of my case. They create a plan with the client’s needs and wants in mind. Drummond is also great working with regarding what kind of budget a client would be able to afford. If I have any more legal needs in the future this is the office I will use every time.”

Megan P.