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no_hypocrisy

(53,869 posts)
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 07:49 AM Tuesday

My 78 year old friend is in peril.

Married for 50+ years to a woman who's dedicated herself to cruelty against him. Constantly yelling and browbeating and haranguing against him. Initially, he was a battered spouse, but he thought all he needed to do was to avoid her when she had her tirades (which included throwing knives at him.)

She has gone behind his back and forged his name on home equity loans and then refused to pay them (not even the interest), imperiling foreclosure. Has used his birthdate and SS number to set up online access to his bank account to siphon money from him (again without his consent and/or knowledge).

And now she's conspired with doctors to find a medical basis to claim that he has dementia. (He doesn't.) She wants it all, meaning she wants to declare him incompetent, institutionalize him, and then sell their home and keep (and spend) all the money.

She's worn him down to the point where he doesn't argue with her. He's tired; he's afraid of her. But he won't leave her. Not because of love. But because of years of mental erosion. He's at his breaking point, and he might indeed give her a documented incident to allow her to declare him mentally incompetent.

She has their adult children working in concert with her. And he knows it. Imagine being elderly and knowing those supposedly closest to you are conspiring to take you down.

I contacted Adult Special Services and explained everything, but they insist that their hands are tied until HE personally makes a complaint. And yes, he has two "safe houses" he can retreat to, but he remains in a home none of us would consider residing in for five minutes.

Any ideas please? I'm quite concerned.

6 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My 78 year old friend is in peril. (Original Post) no_hypocrisy Tuesday OP
Any ideas? Botany Tuesday #1
Yes, get it all on record. Joinfortmill Tuesday #3
Omg! What a horror. Joinfortmill Tuesday #2
Yes. bucolic_frolic Tuesday #4
Yes - I agree completely Grim Chieftain 12 hrs ago #6
Well... you can lead a horse to water and all that. OldBaldy1701E Tuesday #5

Botany

(75,990 posts)
1. Any ideas?
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 08:10 AM
Tuesday

A lawyer right now. Freeze his accounts, start legal proceedings* against her, and have her evicted
from the property.

* Both criminal and civil.

Joinfortmill

(19,655 posts)
2. Omg! What a horror.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 08:12 AM
Tuesday

I don't know if there is anything you can do other than what you did in reporting it. At least now there is a record should anything happen to him. If you can, continue to document anything you see or hear.

If she is successful in placing him in a facility, that might be a blessing in disguise because at least then he would be safe.

This is so horrible and must weigh on you terribly. Keep us informed.

bucolic_frolic

(53,440 posts)
4. Yes.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 08:25 AM
Tuesday

Contact your Area Agency on Aging, every county has one. Ask about an evaluation by an LCSW. If he is being separated from his assets, I think they will have some options with some legal basis, not only because the burden of his care could be shifted to the state. Elder abuse is a crime, financial exploitation of the elderly is a crime, reportable in every state though rules vary and every state has some kind of reporting system and agency for reporting. These things happen fast, just a couple days and an investigation will begin. They might have the power to examine financial goings on. I believe every state has an elder abuse hotline, search for it in your state.

Consider your own legal exposure. I have no idea where that would stand.

Grim Chieftain

(982 posts)
6. Yes - I agree completely
Wed Nov 26, 2025, 02:13 PM
12 hrs ago

There are agencies that will intervene to protect seniors. Wow. So sad.

OldBaldy1701E

(9,651 posts)
5. Well... you can lead a horse to water and all that.
Tue Nov 25, 2025, 06:07 PM
Tuesday

I guess all you can do is do is keep on letting him know that he can end this.

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