Do you suspect an elderly person is suffering financial abuse?
Are you worried that a Deputy/Attorney is misusing their powers?
“I suspect that a relative is emptying my mother’s bank account – what can I do about it”
Financial abuse in elderly or vulnerable person can sadly take many forms, including physical, mental and financial abuse by family members.
If a family member, a friend or even a professional advisor has been made an Attorney and you are worried that they are using your elderly relative’s money for their own benefit, you need to call the team at Steene Law now.
You may be worried about other types of safeguarding issues. For example, you may have suspicions that someone with a Lasting Power of Attorney is making questionable decisions about your relative’s health and welfare.
If you have concerns, don’t ignore them – contact the team at Steene Law now.
A Deputy/Attorney doesn’t have licence to drain an elderly person’s bank account
Being an Deputy or Attorney under either an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Finance or Health and Welfare is not a licence for an individual to dip their hands, at will, into the elderly person’s bank account or sell their property – even if, ultimately, they are named as the beneficiary in their Will.
When is a gift not a gift?
So-called ‘gifts’ are the most common form of financial abuse.
Gifts made by attorneys or deputies are not permitted unless they comply with strict laws, which restrict the value.
Many deputies or attorneys who are committing financial abuse, make excuses for the reasons why they have taken money from their donor (the legal name given to the elderly person who made the EPA or LPA).
They may claim that they somehow have a moral right to it because “mum always said when my son passed his driving test she wanted him to have a car – so I took some of her money and bought him a car.”
Let’s be quite clear – this is NOT allowed.
At Steene Law we often receive enquiries where safeguarding concerns are raised.
One of the most common worries is that a particular family member seems to be mismanaging the financial affairs of an elderly relative.
If you are unhappy or worried about the decisions that someone is making on behalf of a vulnerable elderly person call us now.
We can act quickly to stop an elderly person’s life savings from being stolen from under their nose.
We are able to take immediate emergency action – including going to court – to stop someone’s house being sold or money being emptied out of their bank account.
Make A Free Enquiry
Steene Law specialise in elderly care law. Please do not delay, please call us now 0203 653 0623, email reception@steenelaw.co.uk or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will be delighted to help you.
We are available from 8am to 7pm, 365 days of the year and will explain your options including how you can fight an unfair LPA challenge.
“I cannot thank David and Dianne enough for the effort and knowledge they displayed helping me deal with my Grandfather’s care and the subsequent legal battle that came with it.
I had a complicated and, to me, bizarre yet worrying situation that David and Dianne both worked tirelessly on.
My Grandfather was a WWII veteran and was neglected and treated as a statistic by a care home and a rather unforgiving council.
I’m grateful that David and Dianne not only got the result I needed, but made it simple to understand and took away a lot of stress. I have recommended them to many others and will continue to do so. Forever grateful!”
C.W