The warning signs of financial exploitation of an older adult are usually subtle and easy to explain away — a missed bill, a new "friend," an unexpected withdrawal. By the time the pattern is obvious, significant money has often already been lost. Recognizing the early signs is one of the most practical things a Florida family can do to protect a vulnerable parent or spouse.

Financial exploitation is one of the most common — and most underreported — forms of harm older adults face in Florida. It often comes not from a stranger, but from someone the senior already trusts: a caregiver, a new acquaintance, an adult child, or a person acting under a power of attorney.

When a Florida adult becomes incapacitated without a durable power of attorney or healthcare surrogate designation in place, family members have no automatic legal authority to manage finances, make medical decisions, or access accounts — regardless of their relationship. The result is typically a court-supervised guardianship proceeding, which can take months, cost tens of thousands of dollars, and place major life decisions under judicial oversight.