Switzerland: Fighting The Scourge

Abstract

1 This article addresses the problem of financial abuse of the elderly in Switzerland, which will get worse in the future as the older population grows steadily and the majority of the nation's wealth is controlled by the elder generation. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that financial abuse of the elderly is not specifically regulated in Switzerland. As a private client lawyer you must be aware of this problem in relation to the estate planning of elderly clients living in Switzerland or clients living abroad with Swiss assets, in particular how to prevent your client from being financially abused and which remedies you have at hand to protect your vulnerable clients.