Elder Financial Abuse Attorney | Portland, OR

Seek Help From an Elder Financial Abuse Attorney in Portland, OR 

Your elderly loved ones deserve to age with dignity and financial security—and Terry Scannell and our legal team at Scannellaw will ensure that. As an esteemed elder financial abuse attorney in Portland, OR, he and our team will provide sound legal advice and zealously represent older adults in court. 

Important Legal Concepts You Need to Know

Navigating legal battles can be a challenge when you are not familiar with Oregon’s state laws. Here are some facts about elderly financial abuse. 

Legal Vulnerability at the Age of 65

Under Oregon’s state laws, individuals 65 years of age or older are considered legally vulnerable. While many people from this age group are still in good shape physically and mentally, some may not be and are targets for abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Non-Age Legal Vulnerability Factors

While age is an important factor in determining legal vulnerability, there are other factors to be considered, too. Under Oregon law, people with disabilities, mental or physical illnesses may also be considered legally vulnerable.

Vulnerable vs. Incompetent

An incompetent individual may not recognize family members, know the date, or understand the scope of their property. They are incapable of willingly giving a gift or making a will and would need a legal guardian.

Duty of Care

Proving financial abuse can be difficult if there is no fiduciary duty of care between the victim and the abuser and the only harm caused is financial. In such cases, the complainant must seek help from an elder financial abuse attorney to prove fraud, which is a more challenging legal standard.

Specific individuals in Oregon may owe a high duty of care to others by nature of their position (for professionals) or birth (for family members), including:

Bankers
Mortgage Brokers
Lawyers
Doctors
Real Estate Agents
Employers
Accountants
Relatives 

However, it’s important to note that financial professionals generally do not owe their clients a fiduciary duty unless the client is legally vulnerable or incompetent.

Cases

Suppose a banker persuades someone to invest in a low-interest rate financial product that ties up their money for years, and the banker receives a big bonus for the sale. In that case, it may not be considered financial negligence or abuse if the banker did not say anything false. However, if the person is 65 or older and not very knowledgeable about money matters, they may be legally vulnerable, and the banker could be sued for elder financial abuse.
If someone gets an ill, 65+ father to sign over the family home just to them and leave out other family members, that could be an instance of elder financial abuse. Still, it is legally tricky because the person could argue that the person did exactly what he wanted with his money.

Schedule a Legal Consultation

Not a single fraud will go unnoticed under the watchful eye of our elder financial abuse attorney. Contact our office to schedule your consultation. We offer many other legal services and can even provide a foreclosure attorney in Portland, OR, as well. 
Reach out to adult and family services at (971) 673-2422 to file an anonymous report if a senior is being threatened or harmed physically. 

reviews
Facing more questions then answers, Mr Scannell helped navigate through my legal questions. He was very responsive, and extremely professional. I would absolutely recommend his services without hesitation. Even after it was determined I was better suited for a small claims case, he was very accommodating. His advice and knowledge were greatly appreciated.
Shad Frickey, Google
Kind and thorough with a strong sense of integrity. Communication was easy and effortless. Very pleased with Chris and the team of people that help him!
David Richardson, Google
I gave Terry a phone call regarding a property line dispute. He promptly answered the phone and I would definitely recommend Terry to anyone. He was very helpful with answering my questions and made me feel at ease in how to handle my dispute. Thank you Terry for your help. Mary B.
Judy Franzen, Google
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They responded rite away, very helpful and friendly. Told me exactly what I needed to know, and was very professional. I would recommend scannellaw to anyone needing a good attorney on their side! Thanks scannellaw!!!
Jennifer Barnes, Google
Called for quick consultation. Was kind, prompt, and gave great information! If I had a need for lawyer services, I would definitely use!
k3v tap, Google
I needed an attorney and I’m so glad I found Terry Scannell. I found myself involved in a business dispute that was very complex and overwhelming for me. Right away, Terry and his team knew just what to do and guided us through the whole situation start to finish. Everything worked out and we came out on top! I highly recommend this firm!
Sydney Mercy, Google
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Terry is awesome to work with , He gave me all options to solve my problem and that gives me piece of mind knowing he's got my back.
Jeff Bird, Google
I call them up to talk about a contract dispute. While they weren't able to help me because of the jurisdiction, they still provided advice on how to proceed.
Heath Y, Google
I came to Terry Scannell through a referral. I needed help with a complicated partner dispute in my company. He did a terrific job. Terry and his team were knowledgeable and consistently answered all my questions quickly with both expertise and clarity. They are professional and easy to work with. I highly recommend them.
Patricia Hidalgo, Google
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Fast response and helpful consultation
Chelsea T, Google
Terry helped us understand our rights as consumers, and advised how to handle the invoice from the contractor who had abandoned us. I respect Terry very much, and appreciate his willingness to assist us on short notice. Terry is very responsive and helpful, and a great attorney to have on your side--I highly recommend him for others with business contract issues.
Brian Thompson, Google
Terry responded to my questions professionally & with warmth and humor. I will definitely call him again for my next deal. Thank you Terry!
Lisa Friedman, Google
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I had the pleasure to work with Terry and Dakota recently. I feel they are very informative and professional not just in their knowledge but also understanding the human side of my case. Unfortunately, they were not able to assist me with my issue, but were forth coming by letting me know they did not want to waste my time or money in a case that may or may not be able to be favorable to me . Thank you so much for all the help and would recommend them to anyone who wants someone on their side.
Susa Wood, Google
I contacted Terry on a couple occasions regarding an issue with a home contractor who had partially completed work for us and walked off the job, leaving us with unfinished work and late in the season to complete it. Terry helped us understand our rights as consumers, and advised how to handle the invoice from the contractor who had abandoned us. I respect Terry very much, and appreciate his willingness to assist us on short notice. Terry is very responsive and helpful, and a great attorney to have on your side--I highly recommend him for others with business contract issues.
Shiloh Thomas, Google
I didn't know what to expect when reaching out to an attorney, but I was truly surprised by Terry's integrity and compassion. Very supportive, professional and to the point. Highly recommend.
G B, Google
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I had been calling around to attorneys for days looking for guidance and potential representation on a potential legal malpractice case...[Terry] made sure I understood why it wasn't conductive for him to take my case at this time. He even advised me of next steps to take if I chose to continue pursuing this route with a different attorney and additionally suggested potential alternative routes to pursue. I have gotten less guidance out of paid consultations from other attorneys then what I received from Terry in the few moments we spoke. He seems like he truly cares for the victim and the injustice we face fighting the system.
Kimberly McNamara, Google
If you are looking for an attorney who is brilliant, thorough, trustworthy and honest you have found the one. Terry and his team are unicorns!
Crystal Beatty, Google
Great advice! Recommended that I seek an attorney in my area and answered all my questions!
ML Smith, Google
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An approachable and down to earth expert in his field. He answered some tough questions for me surrounding a civil case which saved me a lot of time and money. He kept my best interests in mind and communicated with integrity. Thank you Terry!
Daniel Rowe, Google
Terry was very informative very helpful honest.he was unable to assist with our exact situation but did refer us to someone that was able to assist us in our family thank you Terry !! We need more of you as attorneys !!!
Heather Trone, Google
Never had a lawyer call me before around 7pm, but he helped me figure out Some issues I had with a trying to file a suit against an event. More lawyers should be like this!
Airliner, Google
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Real friendly guy, gave time with no charge. Super hilarious and a great attitude. Couldn't help me because he was swamped with cases but give him a call and if he has the chance to work with you, take it.
ColdPoison, Google
Straightforward and honest. Went out of his way to answer my questions. I would strongly recommend him.
hans menzel, Google
Very Knowledgeable of real estate law highly recommend !
Lindsey Boccia, Google
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Very helpful lawyer and had plenty of time to let me speak my story!
Chelsea Burns, Google
I will start by saying , I have talked to several lawyers before calling Terry. He is kind, knowledgeable, and gives good advice. If you are looking for a lawyer, call him. He cares, he speaks like he does, and he means it. He has people at the heart of his conversations, listens well, and is invested in everything you say. Thank you Terry.
Renee Sanchez, Google
Terry is very knowledgeable about the law. He was not able to take my case but he provided a lot of helpful insight on my particular situation.
Matt Rostosky, Google
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Very helpful and knowledgeable.
Alexander Grant, Google
He is very helpful and knowledgeable . I had some issues it wasn't in his field but he took time and navigate to the right path to go.
nima nabizadeh, Google
Terry was very kind and gave time free of charge to hear the details of my particular situation. Full of great information! Very helpful with advice to point me in the direction of a more appropriate attorney for my needs. Thank you so much!
M Freeman, Google