Financial Exploitation of the Elderly: Caretakers Steal From WWII Veterans

Do you suspect that someone has mis-used a power of attorney in Florida or taken money from your elderly relative or grandparent in Boynton Beach? Is your friend’s son-in-law or step child abusing their privileges to an elderly person’s bank account? What do I do if I suspect that my elderly friend or parent is being financially exploited? According to Florida law, what is financial exploitation? Ask any West Palm Beach trust lawyer and they will tell you that financial abuse of the elderly, in Florida and throughout the United States, is a growing concern.

What to Do If You Suspect That An Elderly Person Is Being Financially Abused or Exploited

• You should first report the financial abuse to the police.
• Many state attorneys’ offices, or district attorney offices, and sheriff departments (police departments) have elder abuse or elder exploitation “teams” which devote their time to financial crimes against the elderly.
• They have investigators, lawyers and police officers who can evaluate the allegations, speak with witnesses, gather evidence and decide whether senior citizens are at risk or may have been financially exploited.
• In Florida, we see a very unfair share of financial abuse of the elderly.
• Our law enforcement and state attorneys offices know this and are well equipped to investigate.
• The downside is that many times, if the “wrongdoer” is a family member, they are apt to halt an investigation and determine that what is going on is a “civil” matter.
• You should also contact the client’s other advisors.
• They may need to act quickly to seek the return of the property or money.
•  In many states, like Florida, there are not only causes of action which can seek the return of money or property that was improperly used or taken, but also specific statutes intended to help senior citizens who have been financially exploited.
• In addition, an advisor may recommend a Florida guardianship to protect the elderly person being taken advantage of.

Caretakers Steal From Elderly WWII Veteran

• A 95 year old veteran was reportedly financially exploited by his former two caretakers.
• They stole his life savings, which was over $300,000
• To read the entire article regarding financial abuse of the elderly, click here.