5 Red Flags of Financial Exploitation in Florida: how do I know if my parent is being financially exploited?

Elder abuse, financial exploitation, and exploitation of the elderly are serious matters in Palm Beach County Florida.  Probate courts and criminal laws provide serious financial and other penalties too bad persons who prey on the elderly and their money in Palm Beach.  How do you know if your parent is being taken advantage of?  How you know if your mom or dad is being financially exploited?  Here are five warning signs or red flags to look for if you suspect financial exploitation in Palm Beach.  

1. New persons in their lives with important roles. Having mom or dad retire to Florida and making new friends can be wonderful.   But I’m not talking about meeting neighbors or bridge partners at the club. If new service providers such as caregivers for health assistance, delivery persons, security guards, or anyone else for that matter start asking for financial or legal authority– watch out.  Does the dry cleaner want to be the power of attorney? Is the at-home visiting nurse or health care worker suggesting you call her lawyer for a new Florida revocable trust?  Has the security guard made numerous, new visits to your dad’s condo, and started asking questions about the deed or a will?
2. Lack of contact and communication. Many times, our Palm Beach County probate litigation law firm gets calls from family members who live out of the state of Florida.  They are concerned about the financial well-being of their mom and dad may be getting on in years.  Lack of contact with your mother or father and lack of communication with them are one red flag which we see repeatedly. You’ve got to ask yourself: who is watching mom and dad if you are not?
3. Increased isolation. As we age, not only do our physical strength in our physical abilities decrease. Our mental state and our cognitive abilities can slow down. Ask any elder abuse litigation lawyer  Boca Raton and they will tell you that as isolation increases, so does the chance for financial exploitation Palm Beach.
4. Decreasing mental state and increasing reliance on others. Family members and heirs often ask about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dementia generally comes on gradually, and progresses if untreated.  As our physical body becomes more frail, and as we become forgetful, repetitive, or even scared, we can increase our reliance on others.  If we are not protected or watched over by loving, sincere, caring individuals, family members, and advisors, we are more susceptible to being financially exploited by those that seek to take advantage of those with dementia and advanced years.  If your rich aunt from Jupiter, Florida, starts talking about a new person in her life, some wish to consider whether the aunt is vulnerable. How do you tell if the boyfriend is a sincere and loving man or someone who is after your aunt’s money?
5. New estate documents or advisors. Is the healthcare worker asking your rich uncle Lake Worth who his power of attorney is?  Does the unemployed 50-year-old neighbor offering to pay your uncle’s bills? Is someone your uncle has only known for three months driving them to the bank every day?