Elder Financial Abuse Law

Legal Services

This Northern California law firm has lawyers who are recognized experts in the area of elder financial abuse law (Welfare & Institutions Code Section 15610.30) and has one of the leading appellate cases in the area, Bonfigli v. Strachan (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th 1302. The case was first tried to a jury by Michael G. Watters and Andrew G. Watters. The initial trial court’s pretrial ruling on the effect of a Power of Attorney (“power coupled with an interest”) resulted in a defense verdict. The case was appealed and the defense verdict was overturned. The case was retried but with the benefit of “law of the case” (the law handed down by the appellate court which is binding). The second jury trial was handled by veteran jury trial attorneys Peter Bumerts (formerly the Assistant District Attorney of Sonoma County and successful prosecutor of many criminals, including the Ramon Salcido murder trial) and Michael G. Watters. The law firm obtained a significant jury award in its clients’ favor, including punitive damages as well as a high, six-figure attorneys fees award. The firm is very proud of its role in helping to protect elders from financial abuse by predators.