Undue Influence and Fraud: A Menancing Unbalance of Elder Abuse

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 1 min read

A Superior Court judge has ruled that heiress Phoebe Hearst Cooke be evaluated by a psychiatrist who has no ties to either Cooke or other members of her family.

Cooke, 81, is fighting attempts by her family to have her estate, as well as her person, placed under a conservatorship managed by her twin brother, George Hearst Jr.

George Hearst has said he believes Cooke is paranoid, delusional and incapable of handling her own finances, according to the Hearst family’s petition for conservatorship. They say because of her mental state, she is vulnerable to elder abuse, undue influence and fraud, according to court documents.

Cooke, whose fortune has been estimated at $2 billion, has argued she is being deprived of due process and has not been allowed the opportunity to provide evidence to contradict any of her family’s allegations, according to a declaration by Michael Collins, one of her attorneys.

Contact Steven Peck’s Premier Legal to talk to an experienced attorney regarding elder abuse, undue influence, and nursing home abuse and neglect toll free at 1-866-999-9085.

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.