California has joined the disturbing trend of sweeping unsuspecting seniors clean of their estates.  Elder estate abuse is an addendum to physical or mental abuse of our nation’s geriatric population, typically when a sizeable amount of money stands to be gained by unscrupulous characters. According to the California State Bar’s website, elder abuse involves various crimes, such as theft, assault, and identity theft that strike victims of all ages.  But when the victim is 65 years of age or older, or, a disabled dependent adult, the criminal faces stiffer penalties.  Greed, bolstered by a lackluster economy, was certainly coursing through the veins of San Juan Capistrano’s Jeffrey Butler. In the 1990s, Butler started Senior Information Services, to purportedly offer seniors help with estate planning.  Fast forward to 2009, where he faces 874 felony counts of fraud and is accused of bilking 125 seniors of more than $11 million. Oftentimes, estate abuse isn’t limited to seniors; it also distinguishes itself from other crimes in that, over 50% of the time, its victims have familial or fiduciary ties to the perpetrators.  Look no further to the raging battles with Anna Nicole Smith and Michael Jackson for proof.  Lady Justice is disgusted with Read More …

Michael Jackson and Anna Nicole Smith. Two figures of entertainment who couldn’t be more different. Yet, in death, they share some eerie commonalities:  both demises are possibly attributed to would-be prescription drug enablers; both of their offspring are unsure who their legal guardians should be; and, both are mired in morass-like estate battles that would make any probate lawyer’s head spin. To expound a bit on the drugs, MJ’s situation is a doozy.  With the intention of establishing the most complete medical history possible including pre-existing conditions, previous medical procedures and his drug-use history, Los Angeles County, Coroner’s Office subpoenaed a dozen of MJ’s doctors who administered  services since the early 1990s.  A toxicology report is forthcoming, but that may be only a clue into what led to his death.  By comparison, a Florida medical examiner’s office took six weeks to investigate the cause of Anna Nicole’s death. Additionally, investigators from the DEA, three state agencies and the L.A. County District Attorney’s office pored over evidence related to her death for two years before prosecutors charged HKS and two physicians with conspiracy to illegally furnish Anna Nicole (who purportedly used the disturbing pseudonym “Wilma Flinstone”) with sleeping pills, painkillers and Read More …