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Financial Elder Abuse
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Overview What It Is Abuse Types Our Services Sample Case FAQ How We Can Help
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Keep Your Loved Ones Safe: Identify Financial Elder Abuse

When “trusted” turns into “taken advantage of,” it’s time to speak up.

Older adults are especially vulnerable to financial exploitation—particularly when they’ve placed trust in others to help manage their affairs. Whether it’s a caregiver manipulating finances, a relative pushing for changes to a will, or someone draining accounts behind closed doors, financial elder abuse can be devastating.

At Burrey Law Group, we help families recognize the warning signs, take action, and protect their loved ones.

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What Is Financial Elder
Abuse?  

Financial elder abuse occurs when someone improperly or illegally uses an elder’s assets for personal gain. It often involves manipulation, deception, or coercion—especially when the elder is isolated, dependent, or cognitively impaired.

In California, financial elder abuse is not just unethical—it’s a serious civil offense.

Common Forms of Financial Elder Abuse

Financial exploitation can take many shapes—some subtle, others more obvious. We’ve seen these situations play out in families, among caregivers, and even between close friends or advisors. If something feels off, it probably is.
Examples include:

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Pressuring an elder to revise a will or trust - This can happen behind closed doors, often with manipulative tactics or emotional coercion that take advantage of an elder’s trust.
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Misusing a power of attorney or conservatorship - When someone given legal authority acts in their own interest—making financial decisions that benefit themselves instead of the elder.
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Transferring property or bank accounts without clear consent - Large gifts, name changes on deeds or accounts, or unexplained withdrawals may signal something more serious at play.
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Forging signatures or falsifying documents - Sadly, fraud is not uncommon. Unauthorized changes to estate plans or financial paperwork can be difficult to detect without proper legal review.
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Withholding information from family members or co-trustees - Keeping others in the dark is a classic sign of manipulation—especially when financial decisions are being made in isolation.
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Isolating the elder to gain control over decision-making - Abusers may limit contact with friends or relatives to avoid interference or questioning.
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How Burrey Law Group Can Help

Taking legal action can feel intimidating—especially when family is involved. We handle these cases with care, discretion, and a clear understanding of the law.

Our services include:

  • Investigating suspected undue influence or asset misappropriation
  • Filing petitions to recover assets or invalidate suspicious transfers
  • Contesting late-stage changes to wills or trusts
  • Representing concerned family members or professional fiduciaries
  • Taking emergency action to stop ongoing abuse or freeze accounts
Illustrative Example

An elderly man changed his estate plan just months before his passing, leaving everything to a much younger caregiver he had only recently met. The change excluded his adult children and contradicted decades of prior planning. We worked with the family to investigate the timeline, challenge the trust amendment, and ultimately restore the original estate plan.

Note: This scenario is fictional and provided for illustrative purposes only.

Some warning signs include sudden changes to estate plans, unexplained withdrawals or account transfers, isolation from friends or family, or a new individual gaining outsized control over financial decisions.

Yes. In California, concerned family members, fiduciaries, or even friends can initiate legal action if they believe an elder is being financially exploited.

Even if a gift was made “willingly,” it may still be challenged if it involved coercion, manipulation, or undue influence—especially when the elder was vulnerable or cognitively impaired.

These cases are often time-sensitive. The sooner an investigation begins, the better the chance of recovering assets or halting ongoing abuse. If you suspect something is wrong, it’s important to consult an attorney right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of your burning questions have been answered.

Get in touch If You Suspect Financial Elder Abuse, Don’t Wait

These cases are time-sensitive—and waiting too long can result in irreversible harm. Whether you’re a concerned family member, co-trustee, or professional advisor, we can help you take the right next step.

Contact Burrey Law Group for a confidential consultation.
 You don’t have to face this alone—and your loved one deserves protection.

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