Why Early Legal Advice is Crucial
As a contentious wills, trusts and estates lawyer at Excello Law, I often see the impact that financial abuse and exploitation can have on older and vulnerable individuals and on the families left behind to pick up the pieces. What many do not realise is just how widespread this issue has become. The charity Hourglass has recently revealed that older people in the UK have already lost over £53 million to abuse and exploitation, an amount that rivals the infamous 2006 Tonbridge Securitas depot robbery, one of the largest cash heists in UK history.
Yet this “hidden heist” rarely makes headlines. It does not involve masked criminals storming a depot. More often, it happens quietly, behind closed doors, within families, friendship circles, or care environments.
Hourglass estimates that 2.6 million older people are currently victim-survivors of abuse, and projections indicate that by 2030, almost 4 million older people could experience some form of abuse every year. These abuses take many forms – physical, psychological, neglect, and increasingly, economic control or financial exploitation.
This escalation should concern every one of us.
Why This Matters in My Work
I regularly handle disputes where a loved one’s finances have been misused, or where a will has been changed under coercion or undue influence. Often, the warning signs were visible long before any legal issue arose, but families either didn’t recognise them or didn’t know where to turn.
This is why the STEP “Spot the Signs” campaign is so important. STEP provides clear guidance on recognising the early indicators of financial abuse—such as sudden changes in spending, unexplained alterations to legal documents, or isolation of the vulnerable person from trusted friends and relatives.
The earlier these signs are spotted, the easier it is to intervene and protect the individual involved.
The Importance of Early Taking Legal Advice
If you are worried that a family member, neighbour, or client is being manipulated or financially abused, seeking legal advice at an early stage is crucial. Acting quickly can:
- Protect a vulnerable person’s assets from being misappropriated
- Prevent changes to wills or property ownership made under pressure
- Ensure safeguarding referrals and protective actions are taken promptly
- Preserve evidence if mediation or court action later becomes necessary
Too often, people wait until after the damage has been done—and sometimes, particularly after death, it becomes much harder to unravel what has happened.
We Cannot Allow This Issue to Remain Invisible
The abuse of older people is not a niche or background issue: it is one of the UK’s most urgent and under-recognised safeguarding crises.
Older people deserve dignity, respect, and autonomy.
If You Are Concerned
If you suspect that someone is at risk:
- Look at STEP’s “Spot the Signs” guidance
- Speak to a safeguarding organisation such as Hourglass
- Seek legal advice from a specialist experienced in elder financial protection or, if abuse has taken place, contentious estates and Court of Protection work.
Early intervention can make the difference between protection and harm. If the person you are concerned about has already suffered loss, acting early can make it far easier to recover funds.
