Episode 31 Shattered Trust: A Journey Through Elder Abuse and Legal Battles

What if you learned that your elderly loved one was being financially abused by someone from your own family? This heart-rending question brings us to our guest for this episode, Mary Beth Cronyn.  Mary Beth comes armed with a deeply personal story about elder abuse within her family, unflinchingly discussing the complex legal battles and the emotional trauma caused by it. Her father, a dementia patient, became the victim of elder abuse, and Mary Beth candidly takes us through their painful journey of securing the best care for him. <br/><br/>In the throes of this trauma, Mary Beth and her family became entangled in a fierce legal battle about her father's inheritance. She found herself navigating a labyrinth of legal affairs.  The ordeal highlights the unsettling prevalence of elder abuse, with statistics revealing that one in six people over the age of 60 have experienced some form of abuse. We also discuss the crucial role attorneys and wealth planners play in protecting the elderly, emphasizing the need to keep a vigilant eye on large bank transactions. <br/><br/>As this heart-wrenching narrative unfolds, Mary Beth talks about the severe repercussions elder abuse can have on family dynamics and the importance of having a personal representative who isn't benefiting from the estate. She underscores the importance of clear and specific wills and trusts. Through her story, we recognize the need for educating ourselves about elder abuse, as it is often a silent and unseen struggle that many seniors face. Join us on this journey as Mary Beth shares her reflections on navigating a system that often seems broken and offers insights that could be crucial in protecting someone you love.