Orange County Trust & Estate Administration

According to Welfare and Institutions Code, a person or entity is conclusively presumed to have engaged in actions like taking, concealing, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining property for wrongful purposes when, among other factors, they “knew or should have known that this conduct is likely to be harmful to the elder or dependent adult.”

This introduces a dual approach that combines subjective and objective elements to assess whether the conduct could result in harm to elders or dependent adults, encompassing both personal harm and harm to their property interests. The subjective knowledge requirement necessitates evidence of the individual’s actual state of mind, while the objective test seeks to determine whether a reasonable person would recognize that the conduct could likely cause harm, either to the victim personally or their property interests. This approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation of potential financial abuse situations.

According to Welfare and Institutions Code, the terms “takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains” are clarified when an elder or dependent adult is deprived of any property right. In simple terms, if an elder or dependent adult is deprived of their interest in real or personal property, the defendant’s actions become legally actionable. The Welfare and Institutions Code further elaborates that these actions, such as taking or secreting, can occur through various means, including by agreement, donative transfer, or testamentary bequest, regardless of whether the property is held directly or through a representative of the elder or dependent adult.

In California case law, we find further insight into what constitutes a “taking”:

1. It has been determined that the lawful foreclosure of the plaintiff’s property interests did not amount to financial elder abuse as it did not involve “wrongful use” of the property.

2. It has also been determined that utilizing an invalid power of attorney to make property adjustments and encumber an elder’s property constituted financial elder abuse.

3. A taking has also been found when an insurance agent restructured policies that impacted an elder’s estate plan. Even though the policyholders had transferred their interest in the policies to the trust years earlier, the increased cost to the plaintiff’s trust and the harm to property previously conveyed to the trust constituted a property taking by the settlors.

The Welfare and Institutions Code seemingly suggests that a taking can occur when an elder or dependent adult’s property is subject to a “testamentary bequest.” While this broadens the scope of the Elder Abuse Act, typically a bequest does not deprive an elder of any property interest and merely establishes an expectancy in the beneficiary. However, the Act may apply when the testamentary plan effectively deprives the elder of the right to make an alternative disposition, either due to the form of the plan or the elder’s subsequent incapacity to make alternative arrangements, effectively removing the right to dispose of property. In such cases, the remedies under the Act may be applicable even when the elder retains other indicators of ownership, including property possession.

i. Attorneys Fees and Costs in Addition to Compensatory Damages

Attorney fees and costs, in addition to compensatory damages and all remedies provided by law, are available. If a defendant is found liable for financial abuse by a preponderance of the evidence, the court shall award attorney fees and costs. This award encompasses the cost of services by a conservator devoted to the litigation of a financial abuse claim.

It’s important to note that the remedy of costs, including attorney fees, is not contingent on an award of damages specifically for financial abuse. The plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant committed financial abuse. Attorney fees are granted to the plaintiff exclusively. However, it’s essential to understand that attorney fees do not cover trustee fees as additional costs.

In financial abuse cases, attorney fees are unilaterally awarded to the plaintiff. Furthermore, if all of the plaintiff’s claims, including the elder abuse claim, stem from a single transaction, attorney fees are not awarded to the defendant, even in non-elder abuse claims. Further, the fee shifting provision for attorney fees does not extend to other costs of the lawsuit.

In summary, understanding the scope of financial abuse claims is crucial, as these claims can be valuable given the broad application of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Attorney fees are exclusive to plaintiffs and extend to claims arising from the same transaction addressed in the elder abuse action.

The provision in the Welfare and Institutions Code that states “all other remedies otherwise provided by law” encompasses various legal actions, including those related to contracts, wills, and trusts. Even actions aimed at invalidating testamentary documents may make attorney fees and compensatory damages available under the Code.

ii. General Damages for Pain and Suffering After Death

Upon demonstrating by a preponderance of evidence that a defendant bears responsibility for financial abuse, and with clear and convincing proof of their reckless, malicious, fraudulent, or oppressive actions, it becomes possible to seek general damages for pain and suffering even after the victim’s passing. These damages can be pursued against an employer or principal without the need to establish authorization, ratification, or the involvement of a managing agent, which distinguishes it from cases involving “neglect” or “physical abuse.”

It’s worth noting that recent statutory changes in Code of Civil Procedure § 377.34 have seemingly rendered the pursuit of pre-death pain and suffering damages in elder abuse cases obsolete. These changes allow for the recovery of such damages in various cases, including those of ordinary negligence or intentional tort, irrespective of the heightened culpability standards in elder abuse cases. Hence, it is advisable for plaintiffs to consider including claims of ordinary negligence alongside claims under the Code. Additionally, to circumvent the limitations of MICRA, plaintiffs should also consider incorporating allegations of intentional tort in conjunction with their claims under the Code.

As per the statute, only claims for punitive damages in financial abuse cases are subject to the standards delineated in the California Civil Code. All other remedies provided by law can be pursued upon demonstrating financial abuse by a preponderance of evidence. If financial abuse is established with clear and convincing evidence, pre-death pain and suffering damages can be awarded, without the necessity of meeting the criteria set by the California Civil Code for punitive damages against an employer. This distinction creates a notable legal issue.

It is especially important to remember that for living victims of financial elder abuse, remedies specifically available in financial abuse cases include compensatory damages, attorney fees granted exclusively to the plaintiff, and reimbursement for conservator expenses. However, it’s crucial to note that trustee expenses are not recoverable as costs.

iii. Financial Abuse of Incompetent Victim

When financial abuse targets an elder or dependent adult who lacks the capacity as defined under Probate Code Section 812 or is deemed to be of unsound mind, as defined by Civil Code Section 39, the individual responsible for taking the property is obliged to return it upon demand, which may be made on behalf of the elder or dependent adult. Failure to comply with this demand can lead to the application of remedies outlined in the Welfare and Institutions Code, including the possibility of incurring attorney fees and costs.

Notably, if financial abuse targets an elder or dependent adult who lacks the capacity, there is no necessity to establish wrongful use, fraud, undue influence, or similar elements to prove financial abuse. When the property has been taken from an individual of unsound mind, and the demand for property return is inadequately met, the legal remedies for financial abuse become applicable. In essence, the individual who took the property is exposed to potential legal consequences solely by demonstrating that they failed to adhere to the request for property return or the restoration of the property interest to the victim.

However, it remains unclear how this section applies to cases where mentally incapacitated or impaired victims did not transfer property interests but instead executed a will or other testamentary document directing the transfer of property. In such scenarios, only an expectancy, as recognized under property law, would have been established. Yet, when a will is executed, it sets in motion a process leading to the property transfer. Since the capacity standard for making a will is relatively low, and the capacity threshold under the Welfare and Institutions Code is higher, one could likely seek remedies under the Welfare and Institutions Code even for a valid testamentary bequest.

The spectrum of potential schemes that may fall under the purview of financial abuse remedies is remarkably diverse, making comprehensive coverage challenging. Nonetheless, each of these schemes generally exhibits characteristics of fraud, undue influence, and/or mistake. Here are some typical examples:

1. Family-Related Deception or Exploitation: Family members can sometimes resort to deceptive tactics to obtain a direct transfer of money or property or secure a favorable position within a testamentary document.

2. Misconduct by Caregivers: Caregivers, especially those providing in-home care, may engage in theft or deceitful practices involving property or monetary assets.

3. Misconduct by Lawyers or Accountants: Professionals in the legal and accounting fields may overstep boundaries in their interactions with elderly or vulnerable individuals, potentially leading to the loss of assets or property.

4. Unethical Behavior by Bank Personnel: Individuals working within financial institutions may exploit the trust and reliance of elderly individuals who are open about their financial matters.

5. Deceptive Practices by Insurance and Annuity Salespersons: The lucrative insurance and annuity industry may entice the trust and confidence of elderly clients who might purchase financial products like insurance policies or annuities when they do not actually need them. Consider the scenario of an 80-year-old individual purchasing a 25-year “guaranteed” annuity or a substantial life insurance policy with premiums that exceed their financial means.

6. Actions by Mortgage Brokers: Elderly individuals with relatively modest fixed incomes may be lured into taking out mortgages on their homes, even when they cannot realistically afford them. This can occur, for instance, to purchase a “guaranteed” annuity, or the loan costs may be unreasonably high.

7. Real Estate Dealings: Merely signing escrow instructions by a property owner with diminished mental capacity can be deemed financial abuse under the Welfare and Institutions Code.

Securing the services of a probate litigation attorney for your financial elder abuse case is vital for several reasons. These attorneys possess a specialized knowledge of elder abuse laws and are well-versed in probate and estate matters, making them experts in handling such complex cases. They bring valuable experience in dealing with intricate legal disputes involving multiple parties, financial transactions, and mental health-related issues. Moreover, probate litigation attorneys have access to a network of professionals to gather evidence and expert testimony. They can navigate court procedures effectively, aim for favorable settlements, and are dedicated to protecting the rights and financial well-being of elderly individuals, offering cost-effective solutions where possible.