Because the elderly population is increasing steadily in recent years, many scam artists and others focus on exploitation of the elderly — a group that is generally vulnerable to this type of exploitation.
Our California financial exploitation attorneys represent clients throughout Southern California from our offices in Irvine and Riverside, handling cases involving embezzlement, theft and undue influence. For more than 10 years, our clients have trusted Lauby, Mankin & Lauby LLP to defend the rights of their elderly loved ones against financial exploitation.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement occurs when someone obtains assets from another under false pretenses. There are leagues of criminals who dedicate their entire careers to this type of elder exploitation. As the elderly among us become more dependent on others for their care and their mental faculties weaken, they become more susceptible to a wide range of scams that include:
- Fraudulent or nonexistent investment opportunities
- Requests for financial help based on false facts
- Requests for donations to false charitable organizations
- Credit and mortgage based scams
Theft
In its essence, theft against the elderly is really no different from any kind of theft; the only real difference is that the elderly are more vulnerable to theft.
Undue Influence
A common tactic is to exert influence over an elderly person to be included in that person’s will. If your elderly relative has changed the will to include a recent new friend or paramour, a relative who had previously been estranged from the elderly person or a complete stranger, undue influence might be at work.
For a will or other estate planning instrument to be valid, the testator (the person issuing the estate planning document) needs to be of sound mind and able to choose his or her beneficiaries with absolute freedom. When someone else exerts too much influence, or the wrong kind of influence, it can render the will void:
- Threat of physical abuse
- Threat of neglect or discontinuation of care from someone whom the elder person has become dependent
- Psychological manipulation
The tragic fact is that embezzlement, theft and undue influence often occur at the hands of those closest to the elderly victim: close family members. Contact us. Our embezzlement attorneys can help protect your rights and fight to have the misappropriated assets returned to their rightful owner.
Call for a Free Initial Consultation ∙ Riverside Financial Exploitation Attorneys
Talk with one of our elder financial abuse lawyers to find out how our highly experienced and resourceful team can help serve your case. Call 888-959-8508 toll free, or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation with an elderly rights protection lawyer from Lauby, Mankin & Lauby LLP.