Financial Abuse of the Elderly & Vulnerable - Legal Protection & Practical Guidance

Introduction

Financial abuse is a recognised form of abuse under section 42(3) of the Care Act 2014 and is an issue that practitioners increasingly encounter when advising elderly or vulnerable clients and their families. Those with additional care and support needs, including people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or impairments, can be particularly at risk.

Financial abuse can take many forms, including the theft of money or property, fraud, undue pressure in relation to financial affairs or property, and the misuse of assets. For practitioners, identifying the warning signs and understanding the legal protections available can be critical, particularly where there are concerns that an elderly or vulnerable person may be being mistreated or exploited.

Suspected abuse may come to light during a person's lifetime or only become apparent after their death, when it can give rise to wider issues and potential claims concerning the estate. This can present challenging questions for both private client and contentious probate practitioners, particularly where allegations involve family members, carers, attorneys or other individuals in positions of trust.

This practical short webinar will examine the key issues practitioners should consider when faced with suspected mistreatment or financial abuse, including how to advise clients, the legal powers available to safeguard elderly and vulnerable people and the potential implications for estates and related disputes.

It is designed for solicitors practising in contentious probate and private client practitioners who need to understand how to identify, respond to and advise on suspected abuse and the legal remedies and protections available.

What You Will Learn

The webinar will cover the following:

• Understanding vulnerability and identifying those at greater risk
• Recognising the warning signs of financial abuse
• Key statistics and data on financial abuse
• Reporting and investigating suspected financial abuse - who can report, who can investigate and the appropriate procedures
• Criminal offences and remedies for recovering misappropriated assets, including following death