Q: My mother recently was contacted by a contractor they came out to do a estimate for exterior paint for her home they
Ended up taking a loan out on her house (on her behalf) they are charging her approx. $38,000 to do this my mom is almost 80 years old. She did not understand what they were doing are there laws against this in CA.? They also have taken money from her account for payment and she did not authorize that to be done
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
It sounds like your mother may have been the victim of fraud or financial abuse, which is a serious issue in California and is taken very seriously under the law.
Under California law, contractors are required to obtain a signed contract from the property owner before starting any work on the property, and the contract must include specific details about the work to be performed and the costs involved. Additionally, contractors are prohibited from taking out loans or lines of credit on behalf of the property owner without their express authorization.
If your mother did not sign a contract authorizing the work or the loan, or if she did not understand what she was signing, this may constitute fraud or financial abuse under California law.
It's important to take action to protect your mother's rights and ensure that she is not being taken advantage of. You may want to consider contacting an attorney who specializes in elder law or consumer protection to help your mother understand her legal options and to take steps to protect her interests.
You may also want to report the matter to the California Contractors State License Board, which is responsible for regulating and licensing contractors in the state. The Board has the authority to investigate and take disciplinary action against contractors who engage in fraudulent or unethical business practices.
Contact my office for a free consultation if you want further assistance.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
