Exploring financial abuse as a feature of family life: an analysis of Court of Protection cases

Presents an analysis of Court of Protection cases dealing largely with applications to revoke lasting powers of attorney (LPA) often where financial misbehaviour is implicated. In particular it focuses on the role of intra-family dynamics showing how family disputation can play a significant part in relation to the financial abuse that takes place. While financial abuse is frequently committed by strangers, in certain circumstances the perpetrators may be members of an older person’s own family. The research described here was part of a wider project exploring the financial abuse of adults of all ages who lack capacity, examining the role of various agencies in preventing or dealing with it. It used a mix of methods including the analysis of national and local statistics, interviews with professional experts in the law, banking and health and social work, together with a local area case study