Success Stories

“She Loved That Car”: A Daughter’s Fight Against Financial Elder Abuse—and the Legal Lifeline That Helped

When Ronni’s mother came home from the hospital, she was still recovering—physically weak, emotionally raw, and, by her own admission, in a mental fog. She believed she had nearly died. She had seen what she called “the rainbow bridge,” where she hoped to reunite with her beloved dogs. Disoriented and grateful to be alive, she relied on the caregivers around her for support, guidance, and—critically—honesty.

But what she received instead was exploitation.

While Ronni’s mother was still in a fragile mental state and under medication, one of her caregivers asked her to sign over the pink slip to her cherished collectible car. She did. At the time, the woman was technically still under a power of attorney held by her trustee—meaning she shouldn't have signed anything of consequence. But the caregiver didn’t stop there.

She took the car—and everything in it.

Her mother’s electric wheelchair. Her handicap placards. Her dog’s beds and leashes. Every item was removed and kept as if it were part of a normal transaction. Later, when confronted, the caregiver claimed she had “bought” the car—despite the lack of a legitimate sale process—and refused to return it.

“They looted her,” Ronni says. “They took the car, but also the symbols of her independence, her mobility, her identity. She felt completely violated.”

What’s more, the caregiver had already begun tagging furniture she wanted from the home—writing her name on pieces as though preparing for an estate sale. “She thought my mom wouldn’t make it,” Ronni says. “And she acted like everything was already hers.”

Ronni’s mother wasn’t just the victim of a car theft—she was the victim of financial elder abuse at the hands of someone entrusted with her daily care. And for far too long, no one recognized it as abuse at all.

“This Is Financial Elder Abuse”

At first, no one called it abuse. Not the sheriff. Not Adult Protective Services. Not even the family’s own estate trustee. Authorities chalked it up as a “he said, she said” dispute over a car sale.

“There was no discussion about financial elder abuse,” Ronni says. “It wasn’t even on their radar.”

But something didn’t sit right. Ronni dug deeper. She reviewed legal documents, called the sheriff repeatedly, and eventually turned to a friend who happened to be an immigration attorney. That friend gave her a name she’ll never forget: Legal Services for Seniors.

A Civil Suit, A Small Claim, A Big Victory

With the criminal case stalled and law enforcement hesitant to pursue charges, Legal Services for Seniors stepped in to help Ronni navigate the civil court system. They worked with her to file small claims forms, prepare evidence, and pursue a legal remedy—not for the money, but for accountability.

“She just wanted her car back,” Ronni says of her mom. “It wasn’t about the Blue Book value. It was about what that car represented.”

In court, the caregiver tried to defend her actions by citing a revoked bequest in the woman’s will. “She said, ‘She loved me. She would have given me that car.’ As if love justifies theft,” Ronni says. “You should have seen the commissioner’s face.”

Ultimately, the judge ruled in Ronni’s mother’s favor. The caregiver was ordered to repay a portion of the car’s value. It wasn’t full justice—but it was validation.

“She felt seen,” Ronni says. “She felt like someone stood up for her.”

Behind Closed Doors: The Hidden Risk of Caregiver Theft

What happened to Ronni’s mom is more common than many realize. Financial elder abuse is a silent epidemic—especially when it’s committed by someone the victim trusts.

“They’re in the house every day. They have access to keys, documents, even passwords,” Ronni explains. “It starts to feel like their house, their stuff.”

In this case, the caregiver didn’t just take a car. Jewelry went missing. Furniture was marked for claiming. An amendment to the woman’s estate plan—signed while she was still mentally and physically vulnerable—gave $100,000 to each of the caregivers, though that change was later revoked.

“They count on the fact that pursuing legal action is expensive,” Ronni says. “But they don’t realize that seniors have access to legal support. That’s what makes Legal Services for Seniors so powerful.”

Legal Help That Doesn’t Come With a Price Tag

Legal Services for Seniors is a nonprofit law firm that provides no-cost legal services to low-income seniors in Monterey County. Their attorneys and advocates specialize in elder rights—including protections against scams, financial abuse, housing issues, and exploitation.

“They never treated us like we were less important because we weren’t paying,” Ronni says. “They showed up. They knew what they were doing. And they helped us hold someone accountable who thought they were untouchable.”

For Ronni and her mother, the experience has changed how they view caregiving, trust, and justice.

“There are laws to protect the elderly. They just get lost in the system. But Legal Services for Seniors knew how to use those laws—and they used them with heart.”

What You Can Do

This June, as the nation recognizes Elder Abuse Awareness Month, Ronni wants people to know what her family didn’t: that financial elder abuse is real, and that help is out there.

“I’d never even heard the term until this happened,” she says. “Now I see it everywhere.”

She urges families to ask questions, check in often, and not ignore small red flags. And if something doesn’t feel right? Call.

Legal Services for Seniors is available to low income Monterey County resident age 60 or older who needs help navigating legal issues—from caregiver abuse to contract disputes. They are confidential, compassionate, and mission-driven.

To support their work—or to get help—visit LSSMC.net or call (831) 899-0492.