California Civil Code § 1575.

Undue Influence

Undue influence consists:

1. In the use, by one in whom a confidence is reposed by another, or who holds

a real or apparent authority over him, of such confidence or authority for the
purpose of obtaining an unfair advantage over him;
2. In taking an unfair advantage of another's weakness of mind; or,
3. In taking a grossly oppressive and unfair advantage of another's necessities
or distress.

California Probate Code § 859. Wrongful taking, concealment or disposition of property;

liability; remedies

If a court finds that a person has in bad faith wrongfully taken, concealed, or disposed of property
belonging to the estate of a decedent, conservatee, minor, or trust, the person shall be liable for
twice the value of the property recovered by an action under this part. The remedy provided in this
section shall be in addition to any other remedies available in law to a trustee, guardian or
conservator, or personal representative or other successor in interest of a decedent.

California Civil Code § 3345. Unfair or deceptive practices against senior citizens or disabled
persons; treble damages

(a) This section shall apply only in actions brought by, on behalf of, or for the benefit of senior
citizens or disabled persons, as those terms are defined in subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 1761,
to redress unfair or deceptive acts or practices or unfair methods of competition.

(b) Whenever a trier of fact is authorized by a statute to impose either a fine, or a civil penalty or
other penalty, or any other remedy the purpose or effect of which is to punish or deter, and the
amount of the fine, penalty, or other remedy is subject to the trier of fact's discretion, the trier of
fact shall consider all of the following factors, in addition to other appropriate factors, in
determining the amount of fine, civil penalty or other penalty, or other remedy to impose.
Whenever the trier of fact makes an affirmative finding in regard to one or more of the following
factors, it may impose a fine, civil penalty or other penalty, or other remedy in an amount up to
three times greater than authorized by the statute, or, where the statute does not authorize a specific
amount, up to three times greater than the amount the trier of fact would impose in the absence of
that affirmative finding:
(1) Whether the defendant knew or should have known that his or her conduct was directed to one
or more senior citizens or disabled persons.

(2) Whether the defendant's conduct caused one or more senior citizens or disabled persons to
suffer: loss or encumbrance of a primary residence, principal employment, or source of income;
substantial loss of property set aside for retirement, or for personal or family care and
maintenance; or substantial loss of payments received under a pension or retirement plan or a
government benefits program, or assets essential to the health or welfare of the senior citizen or
disabled person.

(3) Whether one or more senior citizens or disabled persons are substantially more vulnerable than
other members of the public to the defendant's conduct because of age, poor health or infirmity,
impaired understanding, restricted mobility, or disability, and actually suffered substantial
physical, emotional, or economic damage resulting from the defendant's conduct.

California Welfare & Institutions Code § 15657.5. Attorney's fees and costs; defendant liable for
financial abuse; limits on damages; punitive damages

(a) Where it is proven by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant is liable for financial
abuse, as defined in Section 15610.30, in addition to compensatory damages and all other remedies
otherwise provided by law, the court shall award to the plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees and
costs. The term "costs" includes, but is not limited to, reasonable fees for the services of a
conservator, if any, devoted to the litigation of a claim brought under this article.
(b) Where it is proven by a preponderance of the evidence that a defendant is liable for financial
abuse, as defined in Section 15610.30, and where it is proven by clear and convincing evidnece
that the defendant has been guilty of recklessness, oppression, fraud, or malice in the commission
of the abuse, in addition to reasonable attorney's fees and costs set forth in subdivision (a),
compensatory damages, and all other remedies otherwise provided by law, the limitations imposed
by Section 377.34 of the Code of Civil Procedure on the damages recoverable shall not apply.
(c) The standards set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 3294 of the Civil Code regarding the
imposition of punitive damages on an employer based upon the acts of an employee shall be
satisfied before any punitive damages may be imposed against an employer found liable for
financial abuse as defined in Section 15610.30. This subdivision shall not apply to the recovery of
compensatory damages or attorney's fees and costs.
(d) Nothing in this section affects the award of punitive damages under Section 3294 of the Civil
Code.

California Welfare & Institutions Code § 15657. Attorney's fees and costs; defendant liable for
physical abuse or neglect; limits on damages; punitive damages

Where it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a defendant is liable for physical abuse as
defined in Section 15610.63, or neglect as defined in Section 15610.57, and that the defendant has
been guilty of recklessness, oppression, fraud, or malice in the commission of this abuse, the
following shall apply, in addition to all other remedies otherwise provided by law:
(a) The court shall award to the plaintiff reasonable attorney's fees and costs. The term "costs"
includes, but is not limited to, reasonable fees for the services of a conservator, if any, devoted to
the litigation of a claim brought under this article.

(b) The limitations imposed by Section 377.34 of the Code of Civil Procedure on the damages
recoverable shall not apply. However, the damages recovered shall not exceed the damages
permitted to be recovered pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 3333.2 of the Civil Code.

(c) The standards set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 3294 of the Civil Code regarding the
imposition of punitive damages on an employer based upon the acts of an employee shall be
satisfied before any damages or attorney's fees permitted under this section may be imposed
against an employer.

California Probate Code § 259. Predeceasing a decedent

(a) Any person shall be deemed to have predeceased a decedent to the extent provided in
subdivision (c) where all of the following apply:
(1) It has been proven by clear and convincing evidence that the person is liable for physical abuse,
neglect, or fiduciary abuse of the decedent, who was an elder or dependent adult.

(2) The person is found to have acted in bad faith.

(3) The person has been found to have been reckless, oppressive, fraudulent, or malicious in the
commission of any of these acts upon the decedent.

(4) The decedent, at the time those acts occurred and thereafter until the time of his or her death,
has been found to have been substantially unable to manage his or her financial resources or to
resist fraud or undue influence.
(b) Any person shall be deemed to have predeceased a decedent to the extent provided in
subdivision (c) if that person has been convicted of a violation of Section 236 of the Penal Code or
any offense described in Section 368 of the Penal Code.

(c) Any person found liable under subdivision (a) or convicted under subdivision (b) shall not (1)
receive any property, damages, or costs that are awarded to the decedent's estate in an action
described in subdivision (a) or (b), whether that person's entitlement is under a will, a trust, or the
laws of intestacy; or (2) serve as a fiduciary as defined in Section 39, if the instrument nominating
or appointing that person was executed during the period when the decedent was substantially
unable to manage his or her financial resources or resist fraud or undue influence. This section
shall not apply to a decedent who, at any time following the act or acts described in paragraph (1)
of subdivision (a), or the act or acts described in subdivision (b), was substantially able to manage
his or her financial resources and to resist fraud or undue influence within the meaning of
subdivision (b) of Section 1801 of the Probate Code and subdivision (b) of Section 39 of the Civil
Code.
(d) * * *

California Penal Code § 368. Crimes against elder or dependent adults

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that crimes against elders and dependent adults are
deserving of special consideration and protection, not unlike the special protections provided for
minor children, because elders and dependent adults may be confused, on various medications,
mentally or physically impaired, or incompetent, and therefore less able to protect themselves, to
understand or report criminal conduct, or to testify in court proceedings on their own behalf.

(b)(1) Any person who knows or reasonably should know that a person is an elder or dependent
adult and who, under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death,
willfully causes or permits any elder or dependent adult to suffer, or inflicts thereon unjustifiable
physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any elder or dependent adult,
willfully causes or permits the person or health of the elder or dependent adult to be injured, or
willfully causes or permits the elder or dependent adult to be placed in a situation in which his or
her person or health is endangered, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding
one year, or by a fine not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000), or by both that fine and
imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years.

(2) If in the commission of an offense described in paragraph (1), the victim suffers great bodily
injury, as defined in Section 12022.7, the defendant shall receive an additional term in the state
prison as follows:
(A) Three years if the victim is under 70 years of age.
(B) Five years if the victim is 70 years of age or older.
(3) If in the commission of an offense described in paragraph (1), the defendant proximately
causes the death of the victim, the defendant shall receive an additional term in the state prison as
follows:
(A) Five years if the victim is under 70 years of age.
(B) Seven years if the victim is 70 years of age or older.
(c) Any person who knows or reasonably should know that a person is an elder or dependent adult
and who, under circumstances or conditions other than those likely to produce great bodily harm or
death, willfully causes or permits any elder or dependent adult to suffer, or inflicts thereon
unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any elder or
dependent adult, willfully causes or permits the person or health of the elder or dependent adult to
be injured or willfully causes or permits the elder or dependent adult to be placed in a situation in
which his or her person or health may be endangered, is guilty of a misdemeanor. A second or
subsequent violation of this subdivision is punishable by a fine not to exceed two thousand dollars
($2,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by both that fine and
imprisonment.

(d) Any person who is not a caretaker who violates any provision of law proscribing theft,
embezzlement, forgery, or fraud, or who violates Section 530.5 proscribing identity theft, with
respect to the property or personal identifying information of an elder or a dependent adult, and
who knows or reasonably should know that the victim is an elder or a dependent adult, is
punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison for two,
three, or four years, when the moneys, labor, goods, services, or real or personal property taken or
obtained is of a value exceeding four hundred dollars ($400); and by a fine not exceeding one
thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that
fine and imprisonment, when the moneys, labor, goods, services, or real or personal property taken
or obtained is of a value not exceeding four hundred dollars ($400).

(e) Any caretaker of an elder or a dependent adult who violates any provision of law proscribing
theft, embezzlement, forgery, or fraud, or who violates Section 530.5 proscribing identity theft,
with respect to the property or personal identifying information of that elder or dependent adult, is
punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison for two,
three, or four years when the moneys, labor, goods, services, or real or personal property taken or
obtained is of a value exceeding four hundred dollars ($400), and by a fine not exceeding one
thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by both that
fine and imprisonment, when the moneys, labor, goods, services, or real or personal property taken
or obtained is of a value not exceeding four hundred dollars ($400).

(f) Any person who commits the false imprisonment of an elder or a dependent adult by the use of
violence, menace, fraud, or deceit is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three,
or four years.

(g) As used in this section, "elder" means any person who is 65 years of age or older.

(h) As used in this section, "dependent adult" means any person who is between the ages of 18 and
64, who has physical or mental limitations which restrict his or her ability to carry out normal
activities or to protect his or her rights, including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or
developmental disabilities or whose physical or mental abilities have diminished because of age.
"Dependent adult" includes any person between the ages of 18 and 64 who is admitted as an
inpatient to a 24-hour health facility, as defined in Sections 1250, 1250.2, and 1250.3 of the Health
and Safety Code.

(i) As used in this section, "caretaker" means any person who has the care, custody, or control of,
or who stands in a position of trust with, an elder or a dependent adult.

(j) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution under both this section and Section 187 or
12022.7 or any other provision of law. However, a person shall not receive an additional term of
imprisonment under both paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (b) for any single offense, nor shall
a person receive an additional term of imprisonment under both Section 12022. 7 and paragraph
(2) or (3) of subdivision (b) for any single offense.

(k) In any case in which a person is convicted of violating these provisions, the court may require
him or her to receive appropriate counseling as a condition of probation. Any defendant ordered to
be placed in a counseling program shall be responsible for paying the expense of his or her
participation in the counseling program as determined by the court. The court shall take into
consideration the ability of the defendant to pay, and no defendant shall be denied probation
because of his or her inability to pay.

California Probate Code § 16002. Duty of loyalty

(a) The trustee has a duty to administer the trust solely in the interest of the beneficiaries.

(b) * * *

California Probate Code § 16003. Multiple beneficiaries; impartiality

If a trust has two or more beneficiaries, the trustee has a duty to deal impartially with them and
shall act impartially in investing and managing the trust property, taking into account any differing
interests of the beneficiaries.

California Probate Code § 16004. Conflicts of interest

(a) The trustee has a duty not to use or deal with trust property for the trustee's own profit or for
any other purpose unconnected with the trust, nor to take part in any transaction in which the
trustee has an interest adverse to the beneficiary.

(b) The trustee may not enforce any claim against the trust property that the trustee purchased after
or in contemplation of appointment as trustee, but the court may allow the trustee to be reimbursed
from trust property the amount that the trustee paid in good faith for the claim.

(c) A transaction between the trustee and a beneficiary which occurs during the existence of the
trust or while the trustee's influence with the beneficiary remains and by which the trustee obtains
an advantage from the beneficiary is presumed to be a violation of the trustee's fiduciary duties.
This presumption is a presumption affecting the burden of proof. This subdivision does not apply
to the provisions of an agreement between a trustee and a beneficiary relating to the hiring or
compensation of the trustee.

More……

Elder Abuse Litigation

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of sex, social status or ethnic background. It wears
many faces and, alarmingly, typically occurs at the hands of the people who are most trusted by the
victims – like their spouses, children, grandchildren, caregivers or financial or other advisors.

California’s laws set forth several specific types of elder abuse:

• Physical abuse
 • Neglect
• Financial abuse
• Abandonment
• Isolation
• Abduction

But nearly any behavior leading to harm, pain or mental suffering of a vulnerable adult may
qualify as elder abuse – regardless of whether those specific results actually were intended.

What are the Signs of Elder Abuse?

The signs of elder abuse may be very subtle, particularly when the abuse is something other than
physical. A few things to look for are:

• Changes in the physical appearance, grooming or general behavior of the elder;

• Unusual banking activity; or
• Sudden changes in estate planning, or transfers of assets, deeds or trusts.

Other signs of elder abuse might be more apparent when observing relationships between elders
and their caregivers:

1. Does the caregiver seem to express more concern about the elder’s finances than about his
or her physical and/or mental health?
2. Has the caregiver isolated the elder, or does the caregiver prevent the elder from interacting
with friends or family members unless the caregiver is present?

Any of these warning signs – alone or combined – may suggest the elder has fallen victim to
neglect, abuse or financial exploitation.

How can you help?

Unfortunately, because such a high percentage of abusers tend to be the elder’s family members,
caregivers or advisors, more often than not the persons who we would expect to be solving the
problems turn out to be the ones responsible for causing the problems. As a result, hundreds of
thousands of elder abuse cases go unreported or ignored every year.

If you suspect someone is a victim of elder abuse, please try to intervene. First‚ take steps to get
more involved in his or her care. Talk to the caregiver or advisor, assess the situation, and do your
best to determine the nature and extent of the problem. If the caregiver or advisor is standing in
your way, or if you feel the problem is beyond your control, consider seeking assistance from the
state Ombudsman‚ other government agencies‚ or a law firm like ours that focuses on elder or
fiduciary abuse.

Statutory Definitions of Elder Abuse

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.07. ABUSE OF AN ELDER OR A

DEPENDENT ADULT

"Abuse of an elder or a dependent adult" means either of the following:

a. Physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other

treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering.
b. The deprivation by a care custodian of goods or services that are necessary to avoid
physical harm or mental suffering.

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.63. PHYSICAL ABUSE

"Physical abuse" means any of the following:

a. Assault, as defined in Section 240 of the Penal Code.

b. Battery, as defined in Section 242 of the Penal Code.
c. Assault with a deadly weapon or force likely to produce great bodily injury, as defined in
Section 245 of the Penal Code.
d. Unreasonable physical constraint, or prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water.
e. Sexual assault, that means any of the following:
1. Sexual battery, as defined in Section 243.4 of the Penal Code.
2. Rape, as defined in Section 261 of the Penal Code.
3. Rape in concert, as described in Section 264.1 of the Penal Code.
4. Spousal rape, as defined in Section 262 of the Penal Code.
5. Incest, as defined in Section 285 of the Penal Code.
6. Sodomy, as defined in Section 286 of the Penal Code.
7. Oral copulation, as defined in Section 288a of the Penal Code.
8. Sexual penetration, as defined in Section 289 of the Penal Code.
 9. Lewd or lascivious acts as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section
288 of the Penal Code.
f. Use of a physical or chemical restraint or psychotropic medication under any of the
following conditions:
1. For punishment.
2. For a period beyond that for which the medication was ordered pursuant to the
instructions of a physician and surgeon licensed in the State of California, who is
providing medical care to the elder or dependent adult at the time the instructions
are given.
3. For any purpose not authorized by the physician and surgeon.

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.57. NEGLECT

a. "Neglect" means either of the following:

1. The negligent failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder or a
dependent adult to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person in a like
position would exercise.
2. The negligent failure of an elder or dependent adult to exercise that degree of self
care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise.
b. Neglect includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
1. Failure to assist in personal hygiene, or in the provision of food, clothing, or shelter.
2. Failure to provide medical care for physical and mental health needs. No person
shall be deemed neglected or abused for the sole reason that he or she voluntarily
relies on treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in lieu of medical
treatment.
3. Failure to protect from health and safety hazards.
4. Failure to prevent malnutrition or dehydration.
5. Failure of an elder or dependent adult to satisfy the needs specified in paragraphs
(1) to (4), inclusive, for himself or herself as a result of poor cognitive functioning,
mental limitation, substance abuse, or chronic poor health.

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.30. FINANCIAL ABUSE

a. "Financial abuse" of an elder or dependent adult occurs when a person or entity does any of
the following:
1. Takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property of an
elder or dependent adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both.
2. Assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining real or personal
property of an elder or dependent adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud,
or both.
 3. Takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains, or assists in taking, secreting,
appropriating, obtaining, or retaining, real or personal property of an elder or
dependent adult by undue influence, as defined in Section 1575 of the Civil Code.
b. A person or entity shall be deemed to have taken, secreted, appropriated, obtained, or
retained property for a wrongful use if, among other things, the person or entity takes,
secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains the property and the person or entity knew or
should have known that this conduct is likely to be harmful to the elder or dependent adult.
c. For purposes of this section, a person or entity takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or
retains real or personal property when an elder or dependent adult is deprived of any
property right, including by means of an agreement, donative transfer, or testamentary
bequest, regardless of whether the property is held directly or by a representative of an
elder or dependent adult.
d. For purposes of this section, "representative" means a person or entity that is either of the
following:
1. A conservator, trustee, or other representative of the estate of an elder or dependent
adult.
2. An attorney-in-fact of an elder or dependent adult who acts within the authority of
the power of attorney.

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.05. ABANDONMENT

"Abandonment" means the desertion or willful forsaking of an elder or a dependent adult by

anyone having care or custody of that person under circumstances in which a reasonable person
would continue to provide care and custody.

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.43. ISOLATION

a. "Isolation" means any of the following:

1. Acts intentionally committed for the purpose of preventing, and that do serve to
prevent, an elder or dependent adult from receiving his or her mail or telephone
calls.
2. Telling a caller or prospective visitor that an elder or dependent adult is not present,
or does not wish to talk with the caller, or does not wish to meet with the visitor
where the statement is false, is contrary to the express wishes of the elder or the
dependent adult, whether he or she is competent or not, and is made for the purpose
of preventing the elder or dependent adult from having contact with family, friends,
or concerned persons.
3. False imprisonment, as defined in Section 236 of the Penal Code.
4. Physical restraint of an elder or dependent adult, for the purpose of preventing the
elder or dependent adult from meeting with visitors.
 b. The acts set forth in subdivision (a) shall be subject to a rebuttable presumption that they
do not constitute isolation if they are performed pursuant to the instructions of a physician
and surgeon licensed to practice medicine in the state, who is caring for the elder or
dependent adult at the time the instructions are given, and who gives the instructions as part
of his or her medical care.
c. The acts set forth in subdivision (a) shall not constitute isolation if they are performed in
response to a reasonably perceived threat of danger to property or physical safety.

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.06. ABDUCTION

"Abduction" means the removal from this state and the restraint from returning to this state, or the
restraint from returning to this state, of any elder or dependent adult who does not have the
capacity to consent to the removal from this state and the restraint from returning to this state, or
the restraint from returning to this state, as well as the removal from this state or the restraint from
returning to this state, of any conservatee without the consent of the conservator or the court.

WELFARE & INSTITUTIONS CODE § 15610.53. MENTAL SUFFERING

"Mental suffering" means fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression, or other forms of serious
emotional distress that is brought about by forms of intimidating behavior, threats, harassment, or
by deceptive acts performed or false or misleading statements made with malicious intent to
agitate, confuse, frighten, or cause severe depression or serious emotional distress of the elder or
dependent adult.