"There are more crimes committed today with Power of Attorneys than with .38 specials". That is a direct quote from a lawyer who is currently representing my mom, an 84 year old lady with Alzheimers, in an exploitation case currently being heard in the Cuyahoga County Probate Court. My mom was a victim of a cowardly predator who took advantage of her condition and tricked her into giving him Power of Attorney over her and then he conned her into "selling" him her valuable lakefront property at a fraction of its worth. Even though we have a letter from her doctor stating that she was not competent at the time that she signed either document we are having a tough time in the Probate court. This type of crime is reaching epidemic proportions and the courts don't even know how to rule because it is so difficult to prove.
I have come up with a very simple solution. I am proposing that it be required by law that all Power of Attorney and real estate transactions involving an elderly (65 or older) or disabled person be videoed. This would insure that the person understood what he or she was signing and it would also prove that they were not being tricked, pressured, or manipulated into signing something against their will. We are all video taped every day when we buy gas or even a gallon of milk and so it should only be logical that such major transactions such as Power of Attorney signings and real estate transfers especially involving the elderly should also be recorded. I cannot imagine that anyone other than would-be criminals and scam artists would oppose this but if there is someone out there who has a problem with it I'd like to hear from you and hear your reasons. I'd also like to hear from anyone who agrees and if you have any other suggestions that might accompany this proposal. I would also like to hear from anyone that might be willing to help me get this off the ground.
Chances are most of us know or will know someone who has some form of dementia. Chances are even greater that we all know someone who is elderly or disabled and that means we all know someone who is a potential victim of one of these cowardly predators who choose to prey on the most vulnerable members of society. The sad part is these predators are often family members or friends of the elderly person. If this simple idea that I mention here today could one day become law it would help protect a lot of innocent people and discourage a lot of would-be criminals.
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