At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we fight for justice when California’s seniors are financially exploited, and we do it better than anyone in the state.
Our trial attorneys are recognized leaders in trust, probate, and elder law litigation, bringing more than 150 years of collective courtroom success to every case.
Our team combines experience with strategy and case analytics to uncover hidden transfers, track financial misconduct, and recover stolen assets swiftly and decisively. As one client recently said:
“This is a firm with top-notch litigators. I have personally met Amy Gostanian and Michelle Bartolic, two of the best legal minds I’ve worked with. Beyond being excellent attorneys, they are caring and compassionate people.”
Daniel Rodriguez
What Is Financial Elder Abuse in California?
Financial elder abuse occurs when someone illegally or improperly uses an elder’s assets for personal gain.
California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Welfare & Institutions Code § 15600 et seq.) gives victims and their families the right to pursue both civil damages and restitution.
Abuse can take many forms:
- Unauthorized withdrawals or forged checks
- Misuse of Power of Attorney or trustee authority
- Coerced changes to wills, deeds, or beneficiary designations
- Caregiver or family pressure to “gift” property
- Identity theft or online fraud schemes
According to the National Adult Protective Services Association, in California, only 1 in 44 cases of financial abuse are ever reported, meaning most victims suffer in silence.
Our Financial Elder Abuse Services in California
Our services include:
- Financial Elder Abuse Litigation
- Probate & Conservatorship Disputes
- Fiduciary & Trustee Misconduct
- Estate and Inheritance Disputes
- Misappropriation of Funds
- Undue Influence Claims
- Power of Attorney Abuse
- Trust/Estate Exploitation
- Predatory Lending Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Banking and Credit Card Fraud
- Caregiver Exploitation
- Real Estate Transfer Abuse
- Elder Fraud and Scams
- Recovery of Assets
- Civil Litigation for Damages
- Protective Orders and Injunctions
Trusted by Estate Planning Professionals & Families
When Trusts & Estates Face Disputes
Contact UsHigh-Profile Financial Abuse Cases in California
In one local case, scammers posed as Medi-Cal representatives and convinced more than 100 seniors to share personal and financial information. Each victim lost as much as $50,000 before authorities intervened and restitution beg
Our litigators have successfully handled intricate multi-million-dollar claims involving undue influence, trustee misconduct, and fiduciary theft.
Get to Know The Estate Lawyers, APC: Your Trusted Partners
At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we are a California-based firm focused exclusively on estate, trust, and probate litigation.
Since 2005, our attorneys have built a reputation for protecting families, beneficiaries, and fiduciaries through skilled, results-driven representation. We combine decades of courtroom experience with a deep understanding of complicated estate disputes.
Our team is dedicated to guiding clients through emotionally charged and high-stakes situations with clarity, compassion, and confidence. If you’re defending your rights as a beneficiary or resolving a conflict as a trustee, we work tirelessly to achieve fair outcomes and protect what matters most, your family’s legacy.
Why California Clients Choose The Estate Lawyers, APC
- Exclusive Focus. We focus 100% on trust, probate, and elder-law litigation.
- 150 Years of Proven Experience. Board approved professionals with an unparalleled record of success.
- Compassionate Advocacy. We protect the vulnerable with empathy and determination.
- Community Commitment. We give back through senior-advocacy partnerships and education.
- Strong Judicial Reputation. Known and respected in Southern California probate courts.
Understanding Your Legal Rights Under California Law
California protects elders under two key statutes:
- Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610 – 15657.5. Defines financial abuse and allows for compensation, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.
- Civil Code § 1575. Addresses undue influence, where someone manipulates an elder’s decisions for personal benefit.
Under these laws, victims and families may recover stolen funds, void fraudulent transfers, and hold perpetrators, including fiduciaries, caregivers, or financial institutions, legally accountable.
How We Help California Families With Financial Elder Abuse
When you retain The Estate Lawyers, APC, you’re backed by one of California’s most respected trial teams, not junior associates:
- Rapid Investigation & Evidence Recovery
We secure bank, trust, and title records using advanced forensic tools analysis. - Strategic Litigation & Courtroom Advocacy
Our team litigates exclusively in probate and civil courts, maintaining strong rapport with California judges. - Collaboration with Authorities
We coordinate with Adult Protective Services, District Attorney Elder Abuse Units, and Fiduciary Abuse Specialist Teams (FAST) across the state. - Asset Recovery & Family Restoration
Our team obtains restraining orders, surcharges, and trust accountings to restore both assets and family peace. - Prevention & Education
We partner with local banks and credit unions to identify red-flag transactions and prevent future exploitation.
California Resources for Elder Financial Abuse
If you suspect abuse, act quickly:
- California APS Hotline: 1-833-401-0832
- Los Angeles County APS: (877) 477-3646
- San Diego County APS: (800) 510-2020
- Orange County APS: (800) 451-5155
- California Dept. of Aging, Elder Abuse Program
Local Support & Advocacy Groups
- California Senior Advocates League
- Elder Financial Protection Network
- Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging
Bank Partnerships for Fraud Detection
California’s 2024 elder-fraud law requires financial institutions to flag and temporarily freeze suspicious transactions over $5,000 for clients 65+. Major banks, including Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and local credit unions, now partner with attorneys and advocacy groups to stop exploitation before losses occur.
Talk to a California Financial Elder Abuse Attorney Today
If you suspect someone is exploiting an elderly loved one, don’t wait. Every day of inaction risks further loss.
Our attorneys will listen, investigate, and fight relentlessly to protect what’s rightfully yours.
The Estate Lawyers, APC: Here to guide, here to fight, here for you.