At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we stand with seniors and their families when they experience financial elder abuse.
Regardless of if the abuser is a caregiver, fiduciary, or even a family member, we bring over 150 years of combined legal experience to stop exploitation and recover stolen assets. As one client shared, “Some of the most caring and compassionate people you will meet”, and we take that responsibility seriously.
According to the Office on Aging, Orange County’s senior population is growing, now over 450,000 residents aged 65+ and projected to reach 17% of the population by 2045. Alongside that growth, the FBI reports seniors nationwide lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024, with an average loss of $32,600 per victim.
What Is Financial Elder Abuse and Why It Matters in Irvine
Financial elder abuse happens when someone misuses or takes an elder’s money, property, or assets through fraud, coercion, or abuse of trust. In California, it’s both a civil wrong under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act and a crime under Penal Code §368.
In Irvine and Orange County, these cases are often complicated and high-value. A recent example: in 2024, a caregiver stole $1.4 million from a 90-year-old Laguna Woods resident, manipulating credit accounts and transferring property into her own name.
Financial elder abuse in our area can include:
- Fraudulent deed transfers for properties in areas like Shady Canyon
- Unauthorized withdrawals from retirement accounts managed
- Caregiver exploitation in senior communities like Woodbridge or Orchard Hills
Local resources like the Council on Aging – Southern California and the Orange County Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) work to educate and intervene.
But when the damage is done, swift legal action is the best way to recover assets, hold the abuser accountable, and protect the victim’s future security.
Our Financial Elder Abuse Services in Irvine
At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we focus on stopping exploitation quickly, recovering stolen assets, and making sure the abuser is held accountable under California law. In Irvine and across Orange County, we handle:
- 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
- Fiduciary/Trustee Misconduct
Trusted by Estate Planning Professionals & Families
When Trusts & Estates Face Disputes
Contact UsOur Process for Handling Financial Elder Abuse Cases in Irvine
At The Estate Lawyers, APC, our approach to financial elder abuse cases in Irvine is built on speed, precision, and compassion. We know that the longer exploitation continues, the harder it becomes to recover stolen assets, so we move fast.
- Rapid Case Assessment & Protective Action
We immediately assess the situation, gather documents, and take emergency steps like freezing bank accounts, recording lis pendens on at-risk properties, or seeking temporary restraining orders. When needed, we coordinate with the Orange County Superior Court – Probate Division and Adult Protective Services (APS) to protect the victim. - Thorough Investigation
Our team collects banking records, property documents, and digital evidence, often working with forensic accountants. For example, in cases involving high-value properties in Laguna Altura, we’ve uncovered hidden transfers designed to evade detection. - Legal Action in Civil & Criminal Arenas
We file civil lawsuits under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act to recover stolen assets, and we work with the Orange County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Unit to pursue criminal charges. - Partnerships with Local Banks & FAST
We collaborate with the Orange County Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) and area banks to identify suspicious activity and strengthen our cases with bank compliance reports. - Resolution & Asset Recovery
Our goal is to return stolen funds, reverse fraudulent property transfers, and secure damages for emotional distress. In cases where ongoing care is at risk, we can also help restructure finances through conservatorships or trust modifications.
From first call to final judgment, we keep clients and their families informed, involved, and confident in the strategy ahead.
What Are the Warning Signs of Financial Elder Abuse?
Financial elder abuse can be subtle, and many red flags are easy to overlook until significant damage has already been done. Some of the most common warning signs include:
- Unexplained Withdrawals or Transfers: Sudden or repeated bank activity without a clear purpose.
- Missing Cash or Valuables: Personal property, jewelry, or money disappearing without explanation.
- Unusual Changes in Spending Habits: Large purchases, frequent gift-giving, or new financial patterns.
- Altered Legal or Financial Documents: Unexpected updates to wills, trusts, deeds, or powers of attorney.
- Isolation from Family or Friends: A caregiver or individual discourages outside contact to hide exploitation.
- Bills Going Unpaid: Despite adequate income, utilities or medical expenses fall behind.
- New “Friends” or Advisors: Sudden involvement of unfamiliar people in financial decisions.
- Signs of Fear or Confusion: The elder seems anxious, withdrawn, or hesitant when discussing money.
Choosing the Right Financial Elder Abuse Attorney in Irvine
When a loved one’s financial security is at risk, the choice of attorney can determine the outcome. In Irvine, many cases involve high-value assets, complicated financial instruments, and sophisticated forms of exploitation, which demand an attorney with both financial abuse experience and local insight.
Here’s what sets The Estate Lawyers, APC apart:
- Focused Experience: We concentrate on probate, trust, and elder abuse litigation, allowing us to stay ahead of legal and procedural developments in this field.
- 150+ Years of Combined Experience: Our attorneys have decades of courtroom and settlement experience in the Orange County Superior Court – Probate Division.
- Proven Results: We have recovered millions in stolen funds and reversed fraudulent property transfers for seniors and their families.
- Local Integration: We work closely with the Council on Aging – Southern California, the OC Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST), and area banks to strengthen case strategies.
- Compassion & Clarity: Clients value our respectful communication and the way we explain complicated legal issues in plain language.
When financial elder abuse strikes, you need an attorney who will move quickly, fight relentlessly, and leverage every local resource to protect your family’s future.
Local Legal & Support Resources for Elder Abuse
When financial elder abuse is suspected, connecting with the right local resources can be just as important as hiring an attorney. In Irvine, we regularly collaborate with:
- Orange County Superior Court – Probate Division
Located at 3390 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, this is where most probate, trust, and elder abuse civil cases for Irvine are heard. - Orange County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Unit
Prosecutes criminal elder abuse cases, including large-scale financial fraud against seniors. - Council on Aging – Southern California
Based in Irvine, serving over 100,000 seniors annually with fraud prevention education, case management, and advocacy. - Orange County Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST)
A multi-agency task force that includes law enforcement, APS, and financial institutions to detect and stop financial exploitation. - Adult Protective Services (APS) – Orange County
Provides emergency intervention, investigation, and protective services for seniors facing abuse or exploitation. - Pacific View Memorial Park & Mortuary
Located in nearby Corona del Mar, often involved in estate and burial rights disputes connected to elder financial exploitation cases.
Speak with an Irvine Financial Elder Abuse Attorney
If you believe a senior in your life is being financially exploited by a caregiver, trustee, relative, or professional advisor, you can’t afford to wait. Every day lost could mean more assets gone and less chance of recovery.
At The Estate Lawyers, APC, we work to detect, document, and stop exploitation fast. Schedule your free consultation today.
The Estate Lawyers, APC: Here to Guide, Here to Fight, Here for You.