WAEstate

Attorneys at Law

Call Now: (772) 398.0720

Attend a Free Seminar
  • Home
  • About Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Elder Law and Medicaid
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Financial Planning Assistance
    • IRA and Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Probate and Trust Administration
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Definitions
    • Elder Care Resources
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Vero Beach Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Plan Checkup
    • Florida Alzheimer’s Guide
    • FREE Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Free Seminars
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Elder Law and Medicaid
      • Estate Planning FAQ’s
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQ’s
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
      • Veteran’s Benefits
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Newsletters
    • Presentations
    • Probate Checklist
    • Probate Resources
      • Vero Beach Probate Resources
    • Published Books
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
      • Trust Administration
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Seminars
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Communities We Serve
    • Indian River County
      • Vero Beach
    • Martin County
      • Hobe Sound
      • Jensen Beach
      • Stuart
    • Okeechobee County
      • Okeechobee
    • St. Lucie County
      • Fort Pierce
      • Port St. Lucie
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Financial Elder Abuse: What It Is and What to Do About It

April 29, 2011 by Robert Kulas. Leave a Comment

Elderly people are uniquely vulnerable to financial abuse for a number of reasons. For instance, elderly people tend to have more money and property than their younger counterparts; age often brings with it illness and mental decline, requiring reliance on others for assistance; and many older people don’t know the full value of their assets.

Identifying Financial Abuse

Of all the forms of elder abuse, financial abuse can be the most subtle. After all, it doesn’t leave any physical scars, and victims may even be unaware that they’re being abused.  Plus, elder abuse can take a wide variety of forms. It can include telemarketing scams; deceiving or coercing an elderly person into signing a deed, power of attorney, or will; using an elderly person’s property without their consent; or outright theft of an elderly person’s money or possessions.

Although financial elder abuse can be hard to detect, there are certain signs or patterns that may indicate an elderly person is being taken advantage of. These include:

  • Unexplained withdrawals from a bank account, or missing money or property
  • A newly-signed will, deed, or power of attorney that an elderly person doesn’t understand
  • Unpaid bills, particularly when there should be sufficient money to cover an elderly person’s expenses
  • An elderly person living in a situation that is far below his or her means
  • A caregiver who seems unusually preoccupied with an elderly person’s financial situation or property
  • A caregiver who attempts to isolate an elderly person from friends and family

What to Do if You Suspect Abuse

If you’re a Florida resident, and you suspect an elderly friend or loved one is the victim of financial abuse, you can call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 or go to http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/abuse/report.shtml.

Filed Under: Elder Law Tagged With: elder abuse, elder law

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month Is an Excellent Time to Update Your Estate Plan
Vero Beach elder law attorneys
What Is the Difference between SSI and SSDI?
Veterans Aid & Attendance
Veterans Aid & Attendance Program Announces Changes
elder abuse
Marvel Comic Legend Wins Restraining Order Based on Allegations of Elder Abuse
Veterans Aid and Attendance
Veterans Often Have to Fight for Benefits They Deserve
Vero Beach Medicaid planning
Elder Law Attorneys Offer Tips to Prevent Elder Abuse

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download Free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Testimonials

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.
Joan C.
Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.
Mildred W.
“Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.”
Janice M
I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.
Leo C.
We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.
L.G.K.
Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.
Krissy L.

Blog Subscription

Upcoming Seminars

  • Wills and Living Trusts Workshop
    • January 21, 2020
    • Port St. Lucie
  • Wills and Living Trusts Workshop
    • January 22, 2020
    • Vero Beach,
  • See all seminars

PORT ST. LUCIE

East Lake Professional Center
2100 SE Hillmoor Drive, Suite 105 Port St. Lucie, FL,34952
Phone: (772) 398-0720
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • PORT ST. LUCIE

VERO BEACH

Bridgeview Building
2770 Indian River Blvd, Suite 321, Vero Beach, FL, 32960
Phone: (772) 778-8481
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • VERO BEACH

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Florida Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Kulas Law Group, Attorney. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys


© 2019 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.