Seniors / Elder Abuse & Neglect

Duh · Guru

Seniors / Elder Abuse & Neglect

Weedy Pigeon · Senior Member

My partner has just finalised a 10 year court case over financial abuse of her elderly mother by another family member. The case was actually reported in the media as an example of how insidious this type of abuse really is and was one of the first in Qld.
There's no winners out of these cases unless you're a solicitor or barrister. Our case started out involving a sum of $120,000, court costs and legals finished up being 3 times that figure.
Wills are also not what they're made out to be and practically anything can be challenged, we're currently involved with a contested will case at the moment.
Really makes you want to blow every cent and die a pauper so there's nothing to argue about.

These issues can soak up so many of the supposedly good years of retirement and I just wish there was some serious criminal charges that could be brought against those who do this to the elderly. At the moment though it is still only a civil matter.

herbie · Guru

Our kids will never be able to fight over our money ,as we intend to enjoy it all...

jules47 · The Happy Helper

My kids won't be able to fight over anything (not that they would anyway - 43 and 36 - never had a fight or bad word in their lives) - won't be anything left!!!!!!

Grams · Guru

Yep we plan on spending all our money ourselves too. The only asset we will have is the house and the car. But I plan on living there a long time.

Wombat 280 · Guru

Will leave a master card bill upto and over the limit so the banks can find out their getting nothing from me or mine unless they hold card reading and I bother to answer

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Have witnessed abuse of the financial, emotional, and physical kind on several different occasions as a community carer of oldies, and it happened in my family too. In every case, although I contacted the relevant department, unless the victim was willing to speak up and give evidence then nothing could be done. Its heart breaking, and it happens so often.

An example... an old lady who was unable to manage alone was persuaded to buy a big house so her son could move in and "look after" her. None of her other kids was welcome at that house, apparently it was in only the sons name. He lived a party-party life, often wasn't there to help her into bed at night so she would spend the night on her chair, as she couldn't get into bed unaided. He told her if she complained he'd put her into a nursing home and she was very frightened of this. Over time her health deteriorated and she was eventually admitted to a nursing home, and loved it! She was so pleased having somebody there when she needed help. But the son got the house.

Duh · Guru

That's very sad Gerty, some people seem to have no conscience about rorting others, especially sad when it is your own children... cry

Legendts · Senior Member

Wife is going through that now via greedy younger sister with enduring POA and mother very near dementia. Very sad situation with no resolution possible from solicitors advice.

Duh · Guru

Sorry to hear it Jeff, some offspring seem to grow two heads where money is concerned, syndrome as you have stated "pure greed" furious

Peterpan · Guru

Legendts wrote:
Wife is going through that now via greedy younger sister with enduring POA and mother very near dementia. Very sad situation with no resolution possible from solicitors advice.

We recently contacted our solicitor re the enduring POA, and was advised that the rules have changed.

We had to have a Financial POA, and a Medical POA. It seems that the enduring POA isn't legal anymore.

Don't know if that is helpful in your situation.

Kevin

neilnruth · Guru

Thanks for that Peterpan. I'll have to check on that for my Mum.

Legendts · Senior Member

Duh wrote:
Sorry to hear it Jeff, some offspring seem to grow two heads where money is concerned, syndrome as you have stated "pure greed"

This one has been an oxygen thief from birth furious . Good thing we can pick our friends eh biggrin

-- Edited by Legendts on Thursday 27th of June 2013 01:34:17 PM

Legendts · Senior Member

Peterpan wrote:
Legendts wrote:
Wife is going through that now via greedy younger sister with enduring POA and mother very near dementia. Very sad situation with no resolution possible from solicitors advice.
We recently contacted our solicitor re the enduring POA, and was advised that the rules have changed.
We had to have a Financial POA, and a Medical POA. It seems that the enduring POA isn't legal anymore.
Don't know if that is helpful in your situation.
Kevin

Thanks Kevin, will revisit solicitor and ask the question.

Duh · Guru

Legendts wrote:
Duh wrote:
Sorry to hear it Jeff, some offspring seem to grow two heads where money is concerned, syndrome as you have stated "pure greed"
This one has been an oxygen thief from birth. Good thing we can pick our friends eh

Yes as you would be well aware Jeff, we can pick our friends but not our rellies.....hope something can be done for your mother's sake.

the rocket · Guru

herbie wrote:
Our kids will never be able to fight over our money ,as we intend to enjoy it all...

same here.

Mark · Senior Member

Wombat 280 wrote:
Will leave a master card bill upto and over the limit so the banks can find out their getting nothing from me or mine unless they hold card reading and I bother to answer

I'm with you Wombat 280, all the way!!