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Financial Elder Abuse

Music Legend’s Family Bears the Weight of Estate Feud Centered on Financial Abuse and Incapacity Claims

Robbie Robertson, famously associated with Bob Dylan, left his own mark as founder of legendary band, The Band, and through his solo work and his many movie scores. Inducted into the halls of fame in the U.S. and his native Canada, Robertson died in August 2023 at the age of 80 after living with prostate cancer for several years. His death triggered a legal battle over his estate, primarily between his three children from his first marriage, Alexandra, Delphine, and Sebastian Robertson, and his second wife, Janet Zuccarini. The children allege that Zuccarini financially abused Robertson to inherit a greater part of his estate, coercing him to sign documents that were against his intentions while his health and mental capacity were declining. Estate planners and attorneys can learn much from this unfortunate case.

From Rags to Riches to Estate Litigation

Tony Bennett’s family in conflict over alleged undue influence. Renowned and beloved singer Tony Bennett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016 and died in July 2023 at the age of 96. Bennett’s net worth was substantial. It was estimated he had made more than $100 million during his career, but his estate at the time of his death was…

Estate Planners: Know These Five Red Flags

Act quickly if you suspect undue influence. Someone is more vulnerable when they are suffering from poor physical or mental health, easily confused, isolated, and/or dependent on the care of others. If you suspect an elderly or compromised person may be the victim of undue influence, check your suspicions against red flags, including these five. Over-involvement. Is someone known or…

Court-Appointed Guardian Sues TV Networks, Producers for Exploiting Impaired Celebrity

Suit Brings Allegations of Lack of Consent and Capacity, Public Humiliation, and Fraud A lawsuit now pending in New York federal court highlights the importance that estate planners and estate attorneys remain vigilant to prevent the financial exploitation of their impaired clients and even their guardians. Sabrina Morrissey, the court-appointed guardian for popular television and radio personality Wendy Williams, has…

Undue Influence Criminalized in Texas

Texas Penal Code §32.55: A New Law Protecting Elderly Individuals from Financial Abuse The Texas Legislature has recently enacted a new penal statute, “Financial Abuse of Elderly Individual,” designed to protect elderly individuals from financial exploitation. This law, codified under Texas Penal Code §32.55, provides a clear legal framework for addressing and prosecuting instances of financial abuse against the elderly.…