Stan Lee needed a superhero, and the law came to his rescue. Lee, now 95, co-creator of such superheroes as Spider Man, the Incredible Hulk, and X-Men, has been the alleged victim of fraud, elder abuse, and embezzlement by his self-proclaimed business partner, Keya Morgan.

Morgan was introduced to Lee by Lee’s daughter, C.J. What began as a business relationship between creator and collector soon morphed into co-creators, co-producers, and then attempted power of attorney.

Elder Financial Abuse All Too Common

Lee is worth an estimated $50 million, so there was plenty of motive for Morgan. But this isn’t just a crime with rich victims. As the number of elderly continues to rise, so too do the number of victims of elderly financial exploitation. The U.S. Department of Justice claims this crime costs the elderly $2.9 billion annually. Close to 90% of financial elderly abuse takes place in the home of the elderly person, often by friends and relatives. The most common signs of financial elderly abuse include:

  • New and heightened interest in the individual’s assets
  • Odd bank account activity
  • New or unusual financial transactions that the elder has difficulty explaining
  • New “best friends”
  • Efforts to make the elderly estate planning documents, including any powers of attorney, wills or trusts

If you see any of the above signs, or have any other reason to suspect financial elderly abuse, contact Adult Protective Services as well as a local elder law attorney who can review your case, and help guide you in the right direction, before it’s too late.

Related Resources:

  • Find an Elder Law Attorney Near You (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
  • When to Use Mediation for Elder Abuse (FindLaw Law and Daily Life Blog)
  • 5 Tips for Spotting Family Theft From Elderly Parents (FindLaw Law and Daily Life Blog)

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