Elder Abuse

Phone Calls Blocked – Attempted Abuse

One family who would only speak anonymously reported that their elderly mother, who lived alone, woke one day from a nap to find a distant long-lost relative by her bedside. While gaining her trust and affection, he prevented her children from speaking to her on the phone. The tight-knit family became alarmed. Taking leave from work, they set up a 24-hour roster to sit by mom’s bedside, maintaining a constant vigil. At times this meant sitting across her bed from the man and duking it out in an unnerving, sleepless battle of wills. Their mother had drawn up a power…

Read More

Elder Financial Abuse

Inheritance Entitlement Syndrome – Call it Theft – 2

Susan was faced with a horrifying situation, watching as her brother used their father’s gradual decline as an opportunity to chip away at the family’s farming assets. “Unfortunately, my father had a business partnership with my brother,” she says. “Gradually I realized that my father was becoming demented and that the money was disappearing. My brother was living the high life, with TVs in every room for the kids, an in-ground pool and flash cars.”, states Susan. “I had power of attorney over my father’s affairs, together with my uncle. We sought legal advice and tried mediation, but my brother…

Read More

Elder Abuse

Inheritance Entitlement Syndrome – Call it Theft

When Anne discovered that her older brother had put their elderly mother in a nursing home, it was the dramatic climax of months of financial elder abuse that ended only with her mother’s death. Talking about it on the phone from her home, she describes how her brother falsely claimed a carer’s allowance and other benefits before she became aware of the extent of the problem. “I believe he had forged my mother’s signature and changed her will,” Anne says, explaining how she struggled through the courts in the hope of protecting her mother and the mother’s assets. Anne says…

Read More

Remember this fight

Steig Larsson Died Without a Will – Fight Between Girlfriend, Brother, & Father

Stieg Larsson, a famous author, whose Girl With The Dragon Tattoo book and sequels achieved global success.  The Hollywood movie adaptation of his book grossed over $232 million worldwide. Larsson died unexpectedly at the age of 50 from a heart attack, and without a will.  Stieg Larsson was never married and had no children.  He did have a live-in girlfirend, Eva Gabrielsson, for 32 years. This sparked a huge lawsuit between his live-in girlfriend and his brother and father, whom the girlfriend claims were not close with Larsson.  The family members inherited his vast estate and sued because the girlfriend…

Read More

Remember this fight

Fight Between Etta James’ Husband and Son Over Care

Etta James’ final year of life was marred by controversy, between her husband, Artis Mills, of 42 years and her two adult sons from prior relationships. James’ 2008 power of attorney gave legal authority to one of her sons, but her husband claimed it was signed after James already had dementia and was not competent. They fought in court over who would make her financial and medical decisions, and even how much money her husband would be allowed to have to pay for her care. And Yes, normally, the Power of Attorney would control, which would mean that the husband…

Read More

Margaret Risdon

$70,000 Stolen from Elderly Veteran

Margaret Risdon, a business woman from Bloomfield Hills Michigan, is facing multiple criminal charges after allegedly stealing more than $70,000 from an elderly military veteran. Risdon, 60, was arraigned July 16 on one count of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult between $50,000 and $100,000, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, according to a news release Monday from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Risdon was also arraigned on two counts of failure to pay taxes, a five-year felony. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General was made aware of the situation after the…

Read More

Help for Elder Abuse

Help for Financial Elder Abuse – California

If you are being financially abused, or you know someone that is being financially abuse, get help today, now! California Adult Protective Services: 833-401-0832 and when prompted, enter your five-digit ZIP code to be connected to the Adult Protective Services in your county, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. To report elder abuse or dependent adult abuse in the community, contact your local county APS Office. Abuse reports may also be made to your local law enforcement agency. Long-Term Care Ombudsman: The toll-free 24-hour crisis line is 800-231-4024.

Read More