This project will provide legal representation to victims 55 years of age or older that have been the victim of financial exploitation, fiduciary abuse, scams, and identity theft

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Victims of Crime awarded Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups Incorporated, doing business as Elder Law Center, $403,404 on October 1, 2025, under the Crime Victim Assistance/Discretionary Grants program (CFDA 16.582) for the Elder Financial Empowerment Legal Services Project.

Elder Law Center will provide legal representation to Wisconsin residents aged 55 or older who have been victims of financial exploitation, fiduciary abuse, scams, and identity theft. Services include courtroom representation in restraining order proceedings, small claims actions, Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings, and proceedings to review, revoke, restore, or reimburse abusive fiduciaries. The organization will also advocate for victim compensation claims, assist with asset protection and recovery, and collaborate with Adult Protective Services offices, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and legal aid providers statewide to stabilize victims' lives and protect remaining assets.

Place of performance is Madison, Wisconsin. The award period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. Elder Law Center, a Madison-based tax-exempt nonprofit, operates as a prime grant recipient focused on elder financial exploitation and victim services, with staff including attorneys, victim advocates, and individuals with nursing experience who deliver trauma-informed case management aligned with VOCA guidelines.

The elder financial empowerment legal services project will provide representation for victims in court proceedings in efforts to stabilize their lives through remittance efforts and by protecting remaining assets; legal representation in individual at risk restraining orders proceedings, small claims actions, chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings, and proceedings to review/revoke/restore/reimburse abusive fiduciaries; advocacy for victim compensation; and collaboration with elder support offices and organizations statewide to complement the services each provides to ensure that victims receive the expertise and full range of services their cases require.