Salt Lake City, UT asked in Banking and Elder Law for Utah

Q: If my daughter has a joint account with her grandfather can she help herself to his money when ever she pleases.

He sold his home, she had the money put into an old account with both their names (left over from car loan) now she has taken a ton of money and he has no clue. This man has nothing but what was from the house. She thinks it's not illegal. Isn't it theft by deception? What can I do to help my poor step father, he can't lose everything, he's already lost hope in life.

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1 Lawyer Answer

A: She could be at risk of being charged with exploitation of a vulnerable adult. If you have any influence with your father, he needs to remove his money from the account and put it in an account only he or trusted persons have control over. He can always designate someone to have control of the account upon his death but he should not have funds in a joint account with his granddaughter.

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