Legal Question in Elder Law in Florida

Elder Abuse

My father remarried soon after my Mother's death (less than a year). His new wife had him marry her without telling or inviting us. This was about 20 years ago. She has alienated every relative he has, however, her relatives are always welcome. She forbids him to have any pictures or our mother around, although she has pictures of her kids and ex-husbands. She berates, belittles, threatens and nags him constantly until now he seems to have given up trying to fight. His brother, our mother's brothers, our daughter wants to visit him because she finds fault with everyone, complains that we show up without being invited, criticize his life with our Mother, etc. When I visit she seems to make a point of how much control she has over him. He is not allowed to visit me or his relatives out of state. She will not go with him and She threatens that if he leaves her at the house and goes to visit, he will not have anything left when he gets home. I can not get him to go against her or file a complaint because I believe he is like a hostage with Helsinki-Syndrome and identifies with his ''jailer''. What can I do to get him some peace and dignity in his final years (he is 87 and she is 83)?


Asked on 4/30/08, 12:02 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alan Wagner Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore P.A.

Re: Elder Abuse

It sounds like he has made a choice about his life and how he will live it. There is nothing in your post to suggest that your father is not mentally capable of making his own decisions. Sorry.

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Answered on 4/30/08, 6:44 am


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