Elder Law Program (ELDER)
LASC’s Elder Law Program serves adults age 60 and over.
Our elder program provides crisis legal services for seniors at our offices in Santa Rosa and off-site for qualifying seniors who live in remote areas throughout the County.
Elder law services include:
- Elder Abuse
- Guardianships (of minors)
- Evictions and Rental Housing Issues
- Simple Wills
- Advanced Healthcare Directives; Financial Powers of Attorney
- Public Benefits Suspension/Termination (SSI, In Home Support Services (IHSS), MediCal/Medicare, etc.)
Impact of the Elder Law Program
This program assists over 500 older adults each year. Keeps seniors safe, housed and financially independent.
We provide mobile legal services in Petaluma, Sebastopol, Guerneville, Cloverdale and Sonoma.
In-home visits are available on a select basis.
Actual Stories of How ELDER Assists Seniors
Barbara’s Story
Barbara is 80 years old; she is also a victim of elder financial abuse. That abuse would have made her homeless were it not for Legal Aid. Barbara was defrauded by her son (who became her landlord) into spending $82,000 on a property, with the promise that she could live on the property rent free. Barbara’s son then tried to evict Barbara, which would have left her destitute and homeless.
First, Legal aid stopped this fraudulent eviction. Then our elder team obtained a settlement payment for Barbara that allowed her to purchase her own mobile home. This assured that Barbara had her own housing and was in no way dependent on her unscrupulous son. The settlement also allowed Barbara to pursue further civil action against her son for the remainder of the $82,000.
John and Donna’s Story
This elderly couple are in their 60s and live in Cloverdale. When our elder outreach team met them, they were living in fear. Their adult son, “Jack,” was abusive, hostile, and selling drugs out of their house. They called the police multiple times but were told there was nothing the police could do. They tried evicting Jack without legal help, but this failed, and he only became more threatening. Eventually, John and Donna were so desperate and scared, that they left their own home and began living at Dale’s shop.
LASC’s elder outreach team stepped in and obtained a 5-year protective order. The order forced Jack to move out of the home and to stop threatening their safety. Because of LASC’s help, John and Donna were able to move back into their home and to resume their lives, knowing they were safe.
If you are 60 or over, contact our ELDER HOTLINE to see if you qualify and to schedule an appointment: 707-340-5610
