INTRODUCTION

  1. Have you been left out of a Will?
  2. Are you a widow, widower, de facto or lover of the deceased?
  3. Are you the only surviving sibling of the deceased?
  4. Do you believe the deceased was coerced into signing the Will?
  5. Is the Will a fraud, a forgery, or otherwise invalid?
  6. Do you believe that the Will is not a true reflection of the deceased's wishes?
  7. Did you trust someone and find that trust grossly betrayed?
  8. Was a loved one treated unfairly or callously?
  9. Is and/or was a loved one a victim of elder abuse?

Elder abuse is a generic term used to address the problems of older people, some with dementia, who are abused physically, sexually and psychologically, and exploited financially.

Abuse of older people is any pattern of behaviour which causes physical, psychological or financial harm to an older person. It is not a new phenomenon. However, until recently, it has been largely unrecognised amongst the community or by service providers and professionals. Its very nature means that it is largely hidden and rarely acknowledged, and its extent is difficult to gauge. As with child abuse and domestic violence, abuse of older people is seriously under-reported. However, reliable studies in the USA, UK and Canada have shown that between 3 and 5% of older people living in their own homes are victims of abuse. This is supported by Australian research. Please refer to my Elder Abuse page for further information.

Elder abuse, by its very nature is one of the most cruel, callous, insensitive, cowardly and heinous crimes imaginable. My Case Studies page gives links to Web sites that have definitions of the different elements of elder abuse and examples of this sordid phenomenon.

This Web site is dedicated to preventing abuse of older people and empowering others to address it. I have given practical advice on ways that people can act ahead to prevent abuse, and to seek remedies when it occurs. I have also given information about the primary agencies that have a role in addressing abuse.

This Web site has been created to help get you started and point you in the right direction in your search for justice. Most of the information on this Web site I found the hard way with the help of some very good friends. You really only find who your friends are when the chips are down and you need all the help you can get.

The relevant information you will need to contest the Will successfully can be obtained quite easily yourself by following the simple instructions given in the other links on my Home Page.

Remember, though personal observations and hearsay may be useful supporting evidence, it is solid documentary evidence that you'll need to successfully challenge a Will. Do not even think of challenging a Will on frivolous grounds. The results could be financially disastrous for you.

Once you have obtained all the relevant information you can then seek legal advice to determine if you have a strong case to contest the Will.

It is extremely important that you enlist the services of a good specialist lawyer/solicitor and seek his advice and help. The choice of an excellent specialist solicitor will make all the difference between success and failure in your quest for justice.

The following are a few suggestions to help you in your deliberations: -

(1) Eric Butler Solicitors
Phone: 1800 685 422
Level 13, 99 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Phone: (02) 9232 6115
Level 3, 50 Hunter Street, Newcastle. Phone: (02) 4925 2890
E-mail Eric Butler Solicitors
(2) Prime Law Brokers
Phone: 1800 246 240
Click Here to Visit the Prime Law Brokers Website
(3) Yellow Pages Online
Click Here to Visit the Yellow Pages Online Website

It is my ardent wish that: -

  • We, as a team, can make a significant difference;
  • We can make this a vibrant and living Web site;
  • We can and must help people in their search for justice;
  • We must serve notice on these sordid predators that they will be held fully accountable to the full extent of the law.

NEXT (Obtaining a Copy of the Will)

Accommodation in a Retirement Village
The Role of ACAT
Medical Records
Guardianship Tribunal
Office of the Protective Commissioner
Office of the Public Guardian
Ageing & Disability Department
Case Studies
World Wide Web Resources
Elder Abuse

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