ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
What Are Powers of Attorney?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is a very important legal document where the principal authorizes an agent to act on the principal’s behalf in business transactions and more. California seniors often execute POAs when their own ability to manage their affairs becomes impaired by illness or loss of cognitive abilities. A POA is not, however, a license to steal. Yet, our financial elder abuse attorneys see incidences of just that every day. We represent seniors and their families when unscrupulous agents misuse Powers of Attorney for their own benefit.
The Alameda County and California elder abuse attorneys pursue all civil remedies available against those agents. Remedies include restitution (getting your money back), rescission (undoing invalid contracts the agent has signed), additional damages and awards of attorneys’ fees and costs for bringing the case where the victim is a senior. Call us today at (415)441-8669 if you need legal counsel. We only handle cases in California.
Use Care in Appointing Agents
Seniors especially need to be extremely careful in selecting their agents; POAs give the agent very broad power over all of the principal’s business and financial affairs. Because the POA powers are so broad, we at Evans Law Firm recommend principals appoint two or more trusted individuals, so that the agents must always work jointly for all financial matters concerning the principal. Seniors should never grant such authority to strangers, and be highly cautious with caregivers, financial advisors, or even family members suddenly develop a high-level of interest in their financial, or personal affairs and suggest a POA. Ask a professional to prepare the Power and have them tailor the power exactly to the authority you wish to grant and under what circumstances the power should spring into effect.
Contact Us
If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered Power of Attorney abuse or elder abuse in Alameda County or elsewhere in California contact Ingrid Evans and the other California elder abuse attorneys at the Evans Law Firm at 415-441-8669 or or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our attorneys have experience with complex financial contracts, such as annuities and life insurance, and large insurance companies and cases involving Powers of Attorney, trusts, wills, and other legal instruments. We can help guide your case through a jury trial or toward an equitable settlement. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.
