Sweetheart Scam
My 87 year old Uncle is caught in a textbook sweetheart scam. My father is his durable power of attorney. Long story short, my uncle agreed to having my father's name added to his brokerage account and on the deed to his home. My parents have known my uncle for over 65 years. They are relatives and the best of friends. My Uncle had been lying about the nature of his ''friendship'' with this young woman. She told him their friendship is nobody's business but theirs. She lives in another state and their friendship consists of two scheduled phone calls per week. She went to visit my uncle in New York last week, and we have reason to believe she took him to her attorney to change his will. She told him he didn't have to tell my Dad or his current attorney. She has now convinced him that she is the daughter he never had. He is so lonely and vulnerable that he will believe anything she says. She has written scathing e-mails to my Uncle in an attempt to alienate him from his family and true friends. But my Dad and Mom continue to help him because it's the right thing to do. Can my uncle prepare another will leaving her as beneficiary? Can we stop her from scamming him?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Sweetheart Scam
That's tough. If your mom and dad are not going to take action it's unlikely you are going to be able to do anything. If your dad is joint tenants with rights of survivorship on your uncle's investment accounts and real property, those assets don't get passed via the will anyway.
Sorry I can't be of more help; perhaps someone else will have better advice for you.
Good luck.
Rick Bryan
New York, NY
Related Questions & Answers
-
Poa power Hello, is it possible for a POA to stop an estate attorney from having... Asked 7/16/09, 10:11 pm in United States New York Elder Law
-
My father just passed and he has a pension and life insurance policy, before he... Asked 7/14/09, 12:41 pm in United States New York Elder Law
-
What if a designee dies? On my Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy and Living Will,... Asked 7/13/09, 12:38 pm in United States New York Elder Law
-
Power of attorney how can i (son) revoke a power of atorney given to girl friend of... Asked 7/10/09, 8:21 pm in United States New York Elder Law
-
Are wills required to be filed in NY State? If someone dies and leaves a will is... Asked 6/29/09, 6:00 pm in United States New York Elder Law