Financial Elder Abuse

Co-Sponsored By: Elder Law Committee

Moderators: Tom McCulloch and David Miller

Financial elder abuse is a growing concern. Once the domain of scrupulous door-to-door salesmen and telephone scammers, our senior population is falling prey to scam artists working under the trusted title of financial advisors. Increasingly, seniors are being cajoled out of a lifetime of savings in order to invest in questionable investments. This session will focus on identifying financial elder abuse by stock brokers and financial planners, and the remedies available.

Tom McCulloch, Esq., Weiner & McCulloch, PLLC

As an experienced elder law attorney and certified public accountant (CPA,) Tom McCulloch is well-known for providing sound legal advice affecting the elderly. He is grounded in a conviction that aging need not be a bewildering maze of care and cost challenges. He is a planner and advocate for clients who want to have choice about their living and care issues as they age.

Tom's experience includes a personal journey when he faced care and financial planning for his mother. While working with doctors, nursing homes, home health agencies, and social workers, he learned first-hand that there are few independent advocates for the elderly. Everyone has an opinion and agenda regarding "What's best for Mom." There are few counselors who can address the total picture of financial, legal, medical and social issues that together dictate the care options for an aging elder.

The practice of Weiner & McCulloch, PLLC is distinctive because it encompasses not only legal and asset protection planning, but also critical social and care planning. The planning goal is to also address clearly the personal wishes of the elder and family. With the experienced guidance of an elder care coordinator, the results are comprehensive and satisfying.

The elder law firm of Weiner & McCulloch, PLLC provides a range of important legal and financial services for the elderly. The cornerstone of the practice is Life Care Planning, which is a comprehensive plan for navigating the senior years. It includes legal instruments, financial budgets and care plans that answer the pressing questions: “How can I stay independent? How can I afford the care and living arrangements I need? Who will help make me make decisions as I age?” These important questions are managed by the legal team with the family to provide the most cost-efficient and effective options available.

David Miller, Esq., Shepherd Smith Edwards &Kantas LTD LLP

David Miller received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from Vanderbilt University. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Houston Law Center, where he was a Lex Award recipient. As an associate attorney of Shepherd Smith Edwards &Kantas LTD LLP, Mr. Miller maintains an active securities arbitration and litigation practice.

Prior to beginning his law practice, Mr. Miller served as an officer in the corporate trust and investment banking groups at major financial institutions. During his career in the financial industry, he had extensive experience with exotic financial instruments while acting as an indenture trustee for collateralized debt obligations and mortgage backed securities. He has also worked with a major oil and gas corporation negotiating complex derivative contracts.