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Financial Elder Abuse

Bricks of Cash in Suitcase, Stolen from Elderly Man

August 24, 2020
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Christina Alvarado of Farmersville, California is alleged to have stolen more than $ 5 million dollars from the elderly David Slinitzer, his life savings. About two years later, Alvarado and another woman, Brenda L. Denning, were able to convince Silnitzer to allow her legal access to his finances through a Durable Power of Attorney for Financial Management. Denning has not been arrested in connection to this case and no charges have been filed against her. Heidi Plowman said her grandfather David Silnitzer is the victim of an elaborate scheme carried out by Christina Alvarado. The 50-year-old Alvarado was arrested Tuesday…

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Nichelle Nichols - Star Trek

Elder Abuse Lawsuit Involves Star Trek’ icon Nichelle Nichols

August 23, 2020
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Nichelle Nichols, who play Nyota Uhura on Star Trek, is alleged to have been abused by her manager, Gilbert Bell. The 87-year-old actress’ son, Kyle Johnson, last week filed a lawsuit against her caretaker and manager, Gilbert Bell, accusing Bell of “financial elder abuse.” In the Aug. 10 filing, Johnson alleged that Bell “took advantage” of and “exploited his relationship” with Nichols and has “exerted his undue influence and took control over Ms. Nichols’ assets and personal affairs” over the past decade. Johnson further accused Bell of a “breach of his fiduciary duty” to Nichols, as well as an “intent…

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Joann Bashinsky

Potato Chip Heiress Wins Back Control of Her Fortune

August 22, 2020
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Joann Bashinsky, 88, heiress to the Golden Flake potato chip empire, is for now back in control of her fortune after a ruling Thursday by the Alabama Supreme Court. The court voided a 2019 probate order granting an emergency conservator that came after two employees claimed that 88-year-old Joann Bashinsky has dementia and is mentally unfit to handle her vast estate. Justices said Bashinsky’s basic due-process rights were egregiously violated when the probate court made the emergency decision without giving her time to obtain counsel after her lawyers were disqualified. The permanent conservatorship petition remains pending before the court. Joann…

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Conservatorship Abuse

Conservatorship Abuse

August 21, 2020
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Conservatorship abuse can take many forms, from physical abuse (e.g. beatings, bed sores, broken bones), emotional abuse (e.g. verbal abuse, undue influence), or financial abuse (e.g. financial affairs in disorder, unduly influenced gifts, theft of money, property or real property). Signs of Abuse Conservatorship abuse tends to be financial in nature; example: the conservator stealing or embezzling money from the ward; missing assets; large withdraws from bank accounts, etc.  Other signs of abuses can include: — Unpaid Bill Notices:  notices for unpaid credit card bills; car loan, taxes, etc. —  Bounced Checks:  checks start bouncing; bill collectors calling — Changes…

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Inheritence Protection

Inheritance Protection – 5 Things to Do Now

August 20, 2020
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Someone is always looking for an opportunity to take from you.  While you can see this with other people, it is sometimes hard for us to see it in our own families and friends.  However, it does happens. With the aging baby boomer population, more people are seeking out and befriend elderly people in hopes of taking advantage of them.  This means that your inheritance could be lost to thieves.  Therefore, you must protect yourself and your family from anyone who may come along looking to take what you have. To protect yourself, you must put a good plan in…

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Probate Jackal Alert

Protect Yourself from Inheritance Theft

August 19, 2020
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Inheritance theft can range from manipulating a person’s wishes while they’re still alive, to theft and embezzlement that occurs after the death. Forging or Destroying Documents Some family members (and advisors) might prepare a fake will or a fake amendment to a real will, giving the forger a bigger share of the inheritance.  A family member can also prepare a fake power of attorney with language that says one sibling over others should be in control of all assets. For example:  a parent who leaves most of their estate to a disabled child who cannot take care of herself. In…

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Estate Planning

How Estate Plans Fail

August 18, 2020
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You aren’t likely to know if your plan succeeds or fails, because you’ll be gone. But you should take steps to ensure success. One reason for estate plan failures is lack of follow through. For your estate plan to be successful, you need to implement the plan; then regularly update the plan.  Throughout your life things change; your plan should be updated to reflect these changes; such as marriage, divorce, kids, house purchase, etc. Also, laws change and your plan should be update accordingly. An estate plan isn’t something that can be completed once and forgotten. An obsolete plan can…

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