Between 2013 and 2017, financial institutions have reported to the federal government over 180,000 suspicious activities targeting older adults, involving a total of more than $6 billion. In 2017 alone, banks and other financial institutions filed approximately 63,500 reports with the U.S. Department of Treasury regarding suspected financial exploitation of older adults. That number has continued to rise. The full report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can be found here. These are only the reported figures. A 2017 World Health Organization study determined that 1 in 6 adults over 60 was the victim of some form of exploitation or abuse. Because of the feelings of shame and embarrassment that inevitably comes from being duped, and because of other circumstances where the person may not even know he or she is being exploited, these numbers are most likely low.

Happy days! You just learned that your favorite uncle appointed you trustee of his trust and nominated you as his executor of his will.  The honor (he trusted you enough to install this mantle upon you), the power (you get to make decisions that affect beneficiaries’ lives), the riches (you get an income taxable fiduciary fee)–not so fast!  While there is certain honor in taking on that role, the office’s mantle carries tremendous responsibilities and risk. 

Recently the Ninth District Court of Appeals made a ruling in the matter of In Re: Guardianship of Bakhtiar, which allows persons interested in the welfare of another the ability to intervene in guardianship proceedings if the party who is intervening can demonstrate an interest relating to the property or transaction that is the subject of the action.

The House unanimously passed the elder fraud bill (SB 158) after voting 81-1 to accept an amendment on the floor to add appointees by the House and Senate minority leaders as ex officio members to the Elder Abuse Commission. "We want to make sure we have many voices that can contribute," Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) said.

Adam M. Fried recently presented at The Marvin R. Pliskin Advanced Probate and Estate Planning Seminar, sponsored by the Ohio State Bar Association's Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Section. More than 250 attorneys from across the state of Ohio attended the full-day Continuing Legal Education course.

The United Nations General Assembly has designated June 15^th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The event was established in order to put a global focus on the physical, emotional, and financial abuse of the older population. The goal is to help communities to recognize the signs of elder abuse and for governments to create policies to help protect the elderly from this type of behavior.

Adam Fried will be presenting "Trustees Beware: The Fiduciary Exception to the Attorney Client Privilege and the Duty of Impartiality," at the Jewish Federation Council of Cleveland Professional Advisory Council's 46th Charitable Tax Seminar, held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

Adam Fried is participating on a panel on NPR's "Sound of Ideas" program, broadcast on April 16th on 90.3 WCPN FM in Cleveland. The topic is "National Healthcare Decisions Day." 

Adam M. Fried will be presenting "Erosion of Attorney-Client Privilege: Fiduciary Exception," at the Dayton Bar Association's 2018 Probate Law Institute. 

Fried's presentation is is part of a full-day 6.0 Continuing Legal Education program. The CLE will be held on March 9th from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm at Sinclair Community College, Building 12.

Reminger Co., LPA is proud to have served as a sponsor for the Marvin R. Pliskin Advanced Probate and Estate Planning Seminar, held in conjunction with the Ohio State Bar Association in Columbus, Ohio on Friday, September 15, 2017.