Motion by Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky

September 12, 2000

MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY

The State Legislature has taken a number of steps to address the problem of elderly financial exploitation and abuse. However, elderly persons with modest estates do not have ready access to legal advice and assistance, which would enable them to effectively redress the exploitation of their assets or obtain properly documented estate planning for their protection.

I THEREFORE MOVE that:

Adult Protective Services work with the County Counsel in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Bar Association in the creation, maintenance and publicizing of a Countywide "hotline" for referral of elderly persons with modest estates to available legal services to assist with their estate planning needs to protect their assets from exploitation.

I FURTHER MOVE that:

The Public Guardian, County Counsel and Adult Protective Services work in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Bar Association to create an effective community outreach and elder education program concerning the necessity and availability of estate planning.
County Counsel participate in the State Bar’s Probate and Estate Planning Section’s statewide study of ways to improve access to the justice system for elderly persons with modest estates without resort to the Public Guardian.
County Counsel, Public Guardian and Adult Protective Services work with the State and County Bar Associations on specific legislative proposals that would help improve access to the justice system for elderly persons with modest incomes who have been victims of financial exploitation or need assistance on estate planning matters.