Financial Elder Abuse Lawyers in Alabama
Southern Estate Lawyers
As your loved ones grow older, you hope that they can relax and enjoy their golden years. Old age may offer some seniors the opportunity to slow down and focus on what matters to them. Sadly, some find themselves targeted by scammers and other financial abusers. If you know or suspect that your loved one is the victim of financial abuse, contact our financial elder abuse lawyers in Alabama.
The elderly are uniquely vulnerable to financial exploitation and manipulation. If your loved one has been targeted, Southern Estate Lawyers may be able to help recover lost funds. 
Why Choose Us?
At Southern Estate Lawyers, we’ve helped countless people protect their futures through estate planning. However, we are also passionate about helping our clients avoid financial abuse — and recovering damages if they are victimized.
We understand that if you’re looking for financial elder abuse lawyers in Alabama, you have many different options. Here are a few reasons to consider us:
- We’re dedicated to our clients’ success.
- We have more than 30 years of legal experience.
- We don’t back away from litigation — we’re ready to go to trial if your case doesn’t settle.
- We can help seniors secure their finances through sound estate planning.
- We go beyond helping scam victims recover their money — we also help them take steps to prevent it from happening again.
Don’t be afraid to contact us if you aren’t sure whether your loved one is being financially abused. We can help you understand the signs of financial elder abuse and determine whether your loved one is at risk.
Types of Financial Elder Abuse
Financial Exploitation Is Not Always Obvious
Financial elder abuse can take many forms, and some are easier to spot than others. These are some common scenarios:
Abuse of Power of Attorney
Some seniors who need help managing their finances may grant a trusted loved one financial power of attorney. Unfortunately, unscrupulous people may deliberately abuse that power. For instance, if they have been granted access to the senior’s bank account to pay bills, they might fulfill that duty but also periodically transfer money to themselves.
Coercion and Deception
Elderly people who are beginning to develop Alzheimer’s are especially prone to this kind of abuse. A friend or family member may try to pressure or trick the victim into signing over money or changing beneficiary designations. For example, an adult child may tell their aging parent that they need their signature on a car warranty — but then have the parent sign papers making them a sole beneficiary.
Scams
Not everyone who commits financial abuse does it to those they’re close to. Phone and internet scammers often try to trick complete strangers into handing over their money. These three scam types are often used to financially harm the elderly:
- Romance Scams: Scammers develop a fake online relationship with the victim and convince them to send money.
- Government Impersonation Scams: Scammers pretend to be calling from the IRS or another agency and demand money.
- Tech Support Scams: Scammers pretend to be trying to help fix computer issues, but they’re really stealing money or information.
Talking to your loved one about common scams might help protect them, but it’s not a guarantee — many scammers can be extremely convincing.
Do you think your loved one may be the victim of financial elder abuse? Give us a call at (251) 444-7000 for a free consultation about your options.
Theft
Financial elder abuse can sometimes be quite brazen. For example, a housekeeper might “borrow” an elderly client’s credit card to make several online purchases.
FAQ
If you think your elderly loved one could be the target of financial abuse, you may have many questions. These are some of the questions our new clients commonly ask:
What is financial elder abuse?
Financial elder abuse is any kind of activity designed to illegally or unethically collect an elderly person’s money. This kind of abuse can involve online and phone scams, but it can also be as simple as using a person’s credit card without their consent.
Who commits financial elder abuse?
Unfortunately, just about anyone can commit this crime. The elderly may be targeted by telemarketers, online scammers, employees in assisted living facilities, and even their own family members.
How can I tell if my loved one is being abused?
Common signs of financial abuse of seniors include unusual bank withdrawals, checks written out to “cash,” unpaid bills, and sudden changes in beneficiary designations. If you notice any signs, discuss them with your loved one and hire a lawyer if needed.
Will the perpetrator go to jail?
Maybe. Depending on the circumstances, there’s a good chance the perpetrator will face criminal charges. However, our firm focuses primarily on civil lawsuits. We don’t investigate criminal complaints, but we might be able to help your loved one get their money back.
If you’ve just found out your loved one has been targeted by financial abusers, you might be angry, confused, and unsure of what to do. The sooner you get in touch with us, the faster we can review your case and help you come up with a game plan.
Need a Financial Elder Abuse Lawyer?
We’re Here for Your Family in This Challenging Time
Has your loved one been defrauded or tricked out of their hard-earned money? If so, they are counting on you to be their voice. Choosing to pursue legal action against the perpetrators of fraud is about so much more than finances — it’s about safeguarding your loved one’s independence, holding perpetrators accountable, and reducing the risk that someone else will be victimized in the future.
Cases of financial elder abuse are often complicated and difficult to prove. While no one can guarantee an outcome in any kind of legal case, an experienced attorney can dramatically increase your chances of securing a victory for your loved one.