What we handle · Los Angeles
Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation Lawyer in Los Angeles
Neva look the other way.
If you're bringing the claim
Money is missing. A new "friend", caregiver or relative has appeared on the accounts or the deed. Your parent signed something they don't remember and can't explain. California has some of the strongest protections in the country for people aged 65 and over, and families, trustees and the elder themselves can use them. An elder abuse lawyer in Los Angeles traces where the money went and brings it back where that is possible.
If you're defending one
Or you have been accused of taking advantage of a relative you were caring for — by siblings, a trustee or the public guardian. These cases are emotional on every side and the paperwork is usually a mess. We look at the facts, the documents and what your relative actually wanted, and we defend you with care for everyone involved.
Common situations we handle
- “A caregiver has been taking money from my mother.”
- “My father signed over his house and doesn't remember doing it.”
- “A relative controls the accounts and won't explain the spending.”
- “Someone pressured my grandparent into changing the will or trust.”
- “A scam drained my parent's savings.”
- “My siblings say I mishandled our parent's money.”
What the law says
California's Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act defines financial elder abuse as taking, keeping or using the property of someone 65 or older for a wrongful use, with intent to defraud, or by undue influence. It covers family, caregivers, "friends", advisers and strangers. Undue influence — pressure that overcomes a person's free will — is defined in detail by statute and is often the heart of these cases.
When a trust or will has been changed under pressure, probate law adds its own remedies, including the power to set aside the change and, where property was taken in bad faith, to order it returned at twice its value.
Related: Trust & estate disputes · Fraud
What's at stake
Return of the money or property, damages for the harm done, and — unusually in California law — the abuser can be ordered to pay the elder's attorney's fees and costs. In the worst cases, punitive damages. The same statute lets the court act quickly to freeze assets before more disappears.
How long you have
Generally four years from when the abuse was discovered or should have been discovered. But money moves fast and memories of an elderly witness fade faster, so this is a call to make the week you notice, not the year.
What happens next
- 1
Tell us what happened
The quiz, a text, or a call. Fifteen minutes, free.
- 2
We tell you straight
Whether you have a case, what it would take, and which way of working applies.
- 3
Clear terms in writing
If we take it, you get clear terms in writing before anything starts.
Three ways we work. Some cases we take on contingency — no fee unless we win; if there's no recovery you don't pay us a fee, though you may still be responsible for case costs, which we explain in writing before anything starts. Some cases we do for a fixed fee you know before we begin. Some are hourly. We tell you which applies in the first call.
Why Cirkveni 2.0
Trial training
Neva trained on the plaintiffs' trial team at a top Los Angeles litigation firm. Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial.
Direct access
You deal with the lawyer. Your calls and texts reach Neva, not a queue.
Straight talk
Plain English, honest about the odds, and a fee you know before we start.
Second generation
The first Cirkveni law office opened in 1992. Same instinct, rebuilt for now.
What a client said
“I would recommend Neva. She is knowledgeable, detailed, patient, and did a great job of explaining the process and answering my questions. I was very pleased with the experience and settlement.”
— Cathy P., Google review
5.0 on Google
Results depend on the facts of each case.
Questions people ask
Find out where you stand.
Text or call +1 (424) 230-3912, or take the five-question quiz.