Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult - Ginsberg Shulman, PL

Exploitation of a vulnerable adult is when someone takes advantage of an older or disabled person to benefit themselves. It’s crushing to watch someone you care about lose their life savings to a con artist or a caregiver who seemed trustworthy. These victims often can’t defend themselves – maybe they’re getting older, dealing with illness, or their mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be. The worst part? Sometimes it’s a family member or close friend harming.

Catching the warning signs early can protect your loved one from losing everything and spare them tremendous pain.

What Is Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult in Florida?

In Florida, a vulnerable adult is anyone 18 or older who needs help with daily activities they can’t do alone. Think seniors with dementia, folks who’ve had strokes, people with developmental disabilities. Exploitation is when someone steals or misuses what belongs to them. In plain and simple terms, theft from people who can’t fight back.

Common examples include forging signatures, stealing money from bank accounts, or pressuring someone to change their will. Abusers cut victims off from family so they can stay in control. They mess with financial records to cover up the stealing. Wills and estate papers get changed without anyone’s real permission.

Warning Signs: Indicators of Exploitation in Vulnerable Adults

These warning signs show up in money matters and in how people act. Look out for these red flags:

Financial Red Flags:

Sudden unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts
New credit cards or loans in the victim’s name
Property transfers without a clear explanation
Your loved one becomes secretive about money
Fear or anxiety around certain people

Physical and Behavioral Signs:

Unexplained bruises or injuries
Poor living conditions despite adequate funds
Missing personal belongings or valuables
Depression, anxiety, or social withdrawal
Victim defends their exploiter due to fear or manipulation

According to the National Council on Aging, approximately one in ten older adults experiences some form of abuse.

Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults: Florida Laws and Remedies

Florida law lets you go after these criminals two ways – press charges or sue them in civil court. Abusers can end up behind bars, and they’ll have to give back what they stole. Families can file lawsuits to recover the money and property that was taken. The state takes this seriously because these crimes target people who can’t defend themselves. Adult Protective Services investigates when someone reports it and teams up with the cops. Evidence like bank statements, forged paperwork, and people who saw what happened – that’s what makes a strong case.

Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults takes billions from Americans every single year. Scammers run slick schemes, such as bogus investment deals and romance scams. Sometimes, family members slowly empty bank accounts or pressure victims into signing over property. No matter how it happens, the damage wrecks victims both financially and emotionally.

Emergency guardianships of incapacitated people can freeze assets immediately. Courts void fraudulent contracts and reverse illegal transactions. Trust administration professionals track down missing funds and document how the abuse happened. Time is everything in these situations. The longer you wait, the tougher it gets to find the stolen money.

Protect Those Who Need You Most

Taking action against the exploitation of a vulnerable adult means getting experienced legal help fast. Early intervention protects victims and recovers stolen assets before they are lost forever. Fast legal action stops the damage and protects what’s left.

At Ginsberg Shulman, we’re Board Certified Elder Law specialists who’ve dedicated our careers to protecting vulnerable adults. Our Fort Lauderdale team serves families throughout South Florida with compassion and aggressive representation.