Financial Elder Abuse Defined Financial abuse occurs when any person or entity (1) takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains property, (2) for a wrongful use, with the intent to defraud, or by undue influence, or (3) assists in doing the prohibited acts.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 1417 into law in late 2024. AB 1417 alters the mandatory reporting obligations in California for alleged, suspected, or known elder or dependent adult abuse in long-term care facilities.
However, AB 135 maintains the existing definition of an elder adult under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Chapter 11) as anyone 65 years of age and older.
In California, elders are defined as persons 60 years and older. Under California law, elder abuse can be both criminal and civil. Civil law defines elder abuse as physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment resulting in harm, pain or mental suffering to an elder.
In California, elders are defined as persons 60 years and older. Under California law, elder abuse can be both criminal and civil. Civil law defines elder abuse as physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment resulting in harm, pain or mental suffering to an elder.
Their identity can remain confidential. If you are not a mandated reporter, you can choose to report elder abuse in California anonymously.
California Adult Protective Service Agency: call (833) 401-0832 or visit the APS website for a list of county APS contacts. Attorney General's Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline: (888) 436-3600. Long-Term Care Ombudsman/CRISISline: (800) 231-4024.
Again, on physical evidence as an officer, you want to look for bruises, rashes, and bedsores on that subject. Bedsores can be absolutely indicative of abuse or neglect. Photograph, get statements from neighbors, social workers, family members, physicians, and nurses.
Steps to Proving Financial Elder Abuse Hire an elder financial abuse attorney. Prove the victim is an elder. Identify the suspect. Gather as much evidence as possible. Identify where and how the financial abuse took place. Prove it is “more likely than not” that there was abuse.
Elder abuse is perpetrated by a trusted individual and can be financial, physical, emotional/psychological, sexual, and caregiver neglect.