§55-7J-5. Action to Freeze Assets; Burden of Proof; Options the Court May Exercise

WV Code § 55-7J-5 (2019) (N/A)
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(a) An elderly person, protected person or incapacitated adult may bring an action to enjoin the alleged commission of financial exploitation and may petition the court to freeze the assets of the person allegedly committing the financial exploitation in an amount equal to, but not greater than, the alleged value of lost property or assets for purposes of restoring to the victim the value of the lost property or assets. The burden of proof required to freeze the assets of a person allegedly committing financial exploitation shall be a preponderance of the evidence. Upon a finding that the elderly person, protected person or incapacitated adult has been formally exploited, the court may:

(1) Grant injunctive relief;

(2) Order the violator to, in escrow an amount of money equivalent to the value of the misappropriated assets for distribution to the aggrieved elderly person, protected person or incapacitated adult;

(3) Order the violator to return to the elderly person, protected person or incapacitated person any real or personal property which was misappropriated; or

(4) Provide for the appointment of a receiver;

(b) In an action under section one of this article, the court may void or limit the application of contracts or clauses resulting from the financial exploitation.

(c) In an action brought under this article, upon the filing of the complaint or on the appearance of any defendant, claimant or other party, or at any later time, the court may require the plaintiff, defendant, claimant or other party or parties to post security, or additional security, in a sum the court directs to pay all costs, expenses and disbursements that are awarded against that party or that the party may be directed to pay by any interlocutory order, by the final judgment or after appeal.