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With a growing senior population, exploitation of the elderly is an escalating concern. Seniors often depend on family members or caregivers for even their most basic needs. In most cases, these individuals provide invaluable and compassionate services. Sadly, in some situations, caretakers can use their influence to their own advantage. If you feel that your loved one has been exploited, you need the help of an attorney experienced in cases of exploitation of the elderly. In Daytona Beach, FL, Mr. Thomas Upchurch can represent your case and help recover assets that have been coerced from loved ones. Exploitation assumes different forms, and Mr. Upchurch can take several different courses of action. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
Exploitation of the elderly involves any scheme to defraud seniors and deprive them of their property. Often, perpetrators are caregivers who become an indispensable part of an elderly person’s life. Gradually, the client can become more and more dependent on the caregiver, relying on them for the most basic needs. This situation can give the caretaker the opportunity to exert undue influence. Often, the caregiver may convince the client to create a new will naming the caretaker as a substantial beneficiary. In other cases, a caregiver may gain access to a client’s bank account before syphoning assets, or ensuring they receive the funds upon the client’s death.
Though caregivers are often perpetrators of this behavior, neighbors, family members, and acquaintances can also engage in exploitation.
Mr. Upchurch focuses solely on probate law. With his wealth of experience, he can help you seek protection for your loved ones, and reclaim assets that have been unfairly distributed to undeserving parties.
After evaluating the circumstances of your case, Mr. Upchurch will determine the most appropriate course of action. He may decide to file an undue influence claim. In other situations, he may ask the court to appoint a legal guardian for your loved one. Guardianship is typically a last resort because the courts want to maintain seniors’ independence and freedom as much as possible. However, when necessary, guardianship can provide invaluable protection for your loved one.
Mr. Upchurch has a proven track record of successfully litigating cases that have stemmed from the financial abuse and neglect of incapacitated individuals. He focuses solely on probate law. With his wealth of experience, he can help you seek protection for loved ones, and reclaim assets that have been unfairly distributed to undeserving parties.
When you contact our office, we will do everything in our power to ensure you receive prompt and thorough help. After analyzing your case, Mr. Upchurch will give you an honest initial assessment. He will tell you the likely outcome, a basic timeline, and estimated costs if you decide to take your case to court. Meanwhile, he will keep you fully informed through every step of the legal process.
An elder abuse lawyer helps vulnerable elderly people to protect themselves, and family members to protect their elderly loved ones. Exactly what action an elder abuse attorney will take depends on the type of abuse, who is perpetrating the abuse, and the elder’s circumstances.
For example, if an elder’s assets are at risk due to financial exploitation, Florida law provides for a temporary freeze to prevent a financial abuser from draining the elderly person’s resources while the victim, family members, or officials are investigating and taking appropriate action. During this time, the judge may also prohibit contact between the elderly person and the alleged exploiter. The injunction can be issued without notice to the abuser, and may remain in effect without a hearing for up to 15 days.
Of course, this is just one example of the type of protective action an elder abuse lawyer may take to protect a vulnerable person from exploitation. Every case is different. An experienced elder abuse attorney can explain the options and help determine the best course of action.
Florida law sets forth a long list of behaviors that constitute exploitation of an elderly person, including:
If you are uncertain whether your situation or your elderly loved one’s circumstances constitute financial exploitation, an experienced elder law attorney can be your best source of information.
An elderly person can potentially be financially exploited by any number of people. Unfortunately, a high percentage of financial abuse of the elderly and disabled occurs at the hands of family members or close friends. However, paid caregivers, nursing home employees, financial services providers, con artists, and even sham businesses may commit financial exploitation.
Some of the most common types of elder financial exploitation involve family members or other caregivers siphoning off funds and other property belonging to the elderly person. This may involve an adult child using the elderly person’s funds for his own benefit without the elder’s knowledge, or an in-home caregiver removing small valuables from the home.
However, exploitive transactions don’t always happen behind the elder’s back. An unscrupulous family member or caregiver may exploit the elder’s confusion, isolation and dependence to deceive or intimidate him or her into signing over property.
Examples of exploitation by people other than caregivers and close family members include a “financial advisor” deceiving an elderly person into a fraudulent investment, a trustee using trust assets for the benefit of someone other than the intended beneficiary, or a “new friend” gaining the confidence of an elderly person who has suffered cognitive losses and persuading or deceiving the elder into giving him or her money and other property.
For purposes of the financial exploitation statute, Florida law defines an elderly person as one who is 60 years of age or older and is suffering from “the infirmities of aging as manifested by advanced age or organic brain damage, or other physical, mental, or emotional dysfunctioning, to the extent that the ability of the person to provide adequately for the person’s own care or protection is impaired.”
The same statute protects certain disabled adults, regardless of age.
Of course, if the elderly person has not been diagnosed with a specific condition, it may be difficult to determine whether he or she falls within this definition. An experienced elder law attorney will use information such as medical records and the testimony of those who have spent time with the elderly person to help establish limitations on his ability to adequately care for or protect himself.
Under Florida law, financial exploitation of the elderly as described above could be a felony. How serious the felony charge is will depend on the value of the property involved. While criminal prosecution of a financial abuser may cut off that person’s access to the victim, and perhaps provide for restitution, it typically occurs after significant damage has been done.
Civil action, such as filing for an injunction to prevent further dissipation of the elderly person’s property and restraining contact between the victim and the abuser often allows for swifter intervention and provides more effective protection for the elderly person.
Yes, a person may be criminally prosecuted and sentenced to jail for a variety of types of elder abuse, including financial exploitation of an elderly person. In fact, financial exploitation involving large sums of money or property with significant value can carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years.
However, it is important to remember that criminal prosecution occurs after a crime has been committed, which likely means that the vulnerable elderly person will already have suffered losses. An experienced elder abuse attorney can help you act earlier, to prevent further dissipation of the elder’s resources. Civil action does not preclude criminal prosecution. In fact, evidence collected to build a civil case may aid in prosecution of a financial abuser.
Who is responsible for attorney fees in an elder abuse case depends on the type of claim involved. Under some circumstances, Florida law allows the victim to recover attorneys’ fees from the exploiter.
Trust your loved ones’ best interests to an experienced attorney with an extensive knowledge of probate law. Contact our firm to find out how we can help restore protection and assets to exploited seniors.
Estate planning is not a one-time event: It’s an evolving, ongoing process that addresses your future needs. With the guidance of a Florida
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