What should I do about a con-man who has drained my family’s assets?
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What should I do about a con-man who has drained my family’s assets?
In 2006, my father died, leaving behind a large estate and many financial assets like a mortgage, three rental properties, and various stocks. A few months after he died, a family friend named contacted my mother and asked to help. After a few months, he eventually worked his way, via his seemingly charming mannerisms, into being my mother’s Power of Attorney. Although my mother never wanted, or intended, to sign her money away, he took this as a chance to gradually drain money out of each asset. Detective thinks we willingly gave our money to the con-man? Should we contact the state’s attorney? We have no money for a lawyer.
Asked on July 29, 2011 Illinois
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You need to file a police report immediately about what happened requesting that the report immediately go to the district attorney's office for review and possible charges to be filed for theft and elder abuse.
If law enforcement will not accomodate you, you need to directly go to the district atttorney's office and make a report and see if a criminal action will be filed to prevent further instances to others in your community by this con man.
If your district attorney's office will not move on your complaint, then you need to contact your state's attorney general's office about what happened to make a report and then see what happens.
You also might contact some attorneys to see if they might help you in a civil action on a contingency fee where you would not put up any money for attorneys fees.
Good luck.
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