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My name is Christopher Leyva, a musician and entertainer from San Diego, Ca
I don’t get to speak too much about my personal life and try to keep as much of it off here, as I tend to spend my time when not playing music helping my friends, encouraging other musicians or helping other causes, but this situation calls for attention.
My father has always been more than willing to help everyone around him in every way he can, and needs us to return the favor. I recently received the devastating news that my father is in critical condition, and now more than ever needs our help. I’ve been helping him out as much as I possibly can, but because of some unfortunate circumstances in the last few years, all of his money was taken by an extended family member.
Here’s the back story:
Bear with me here and I hope that you find some information from my journey and prepare your parents for these situations with resources I will provide.
As a traveling musician, I have never spent a lot of time with family and have always tended to stay out of family issues and problems. About 7 years ago, I brought in an incredible person to look after my father’s legal and financial affairs since I travel a lot and this was done in a very discreet way.
Before moving to the UK partially in 2020, I noticed there were some bogus things going on in my father’s financials. He worked so much at 78 years old while still having a good amount of income from his social security, rental property, and his side gigs gardening. One time I took him to dinner and asked him why he never had any cash. I mean, at one point I remember auditing his accounts and he was making over $4000 a month.
My father was a man who saved and saved and saved, and in 2018 he still had $80,000 in the bank. I have always stayed out of his affairs until things started getting weird. I would get alerts from Credit Karma that there were over 13 credit cards on his account and 4 cars out on his credit. But why would an 80-year-old need 4 cars? So after hiring a private investigator, we found out a person he trusted from a prior marriage was stealing and manipulating him. My dad did not want to press charges, and he agreed to allow our family’s legal advisor to take charge. Within a year, he protected all of my father’s remaining assets with a POA, a trust, and an advance directive. Little did I know how important this was going to be in another 4 years.
Cards got canceled and cars returned.
Before I left for the UK, I gave my father a choice: he could move, and I would pay a deposit on a house for him, and we could both own it. But he refused, not wanting to leave his friends. His house was in terrible disrepair, with a leaking roof, a rough interior, broken pipes, and broken appliances. So I took money from my savings account and remodeled his home. We did that together, and it gave us both joy to work on this project together. I know that some of you guys were a part of this.
I left my father’s house with many modern appliances and his house completely gutted and redone. He lived like a king, with a remote control bed, a massive TV, and likely the best house in the neighborhood. It was the best gift I could give him.
I left for the UK happy and in peace. My father had always volunteered at the church, helping more disadvantaged people and feeding the homeless. It was for this reason that during COVID, he got really sick.
I returned to America to look after him and found out his bank account was emptied, someone tried to take his home, and was collecting his tenants’ rent. Again, a car was taken out in his name.
I called our family legal advisor, and he came up with a plan to help my father since he didn’t want to press charges on this person. Again, because a few years ago, we had processed paperwork, it made things easier to defend him.
Upon my return, he was entrapped in a skilled nursing facility, and the plans this person had for my father were dark.
With the help of some social workers, the sheriff, and a lawyer, we were able to break him free. The lawyer said the best thing to do was to take my dad back to the UK with me. It was then that his adventure began. I was not financially prepared to look after another person, but it was my father after all. Through hundreds of friends, my father was able to live in France, England, Australia, and Hawaii, all while our attorneys worked hard to secure his safety. It was tough for an 83-year-old at this point to be on tour with a band, but it was an incredible time.
But again, where did his money go? I mean, we rescued his bank accounts, rent moneys, and all. This person, which I am not ready to name, was taking his money and emptied his accounts on both sides of the border, leaving him almost on the street, all under my nose by using her children to manipulate him and emotionally abuse him in exchange for money.
This is what I have been living with for 4 years, and now we are here at the crossroads. My father is in very critical shape, not looking good, and he racked up a lot of bills and had nothing prepared for his last days as this person lied to him and said she had all his affairs in order.
My father never even had a parking ticket or a bill he owed, but I am going to be inheriting all his debt and funeral expenses. Due to looking after him and his legal affairs, it blew through my savings.
Sad for a man who deprived himself of anything good to save and make sure he had a retirement fund, just for it to be taken by a person who abused him and his trust. This happens way too often.
Anything will help.
The story has one good, happy ending. My father was able to live the last few years in a very dignified way, keeping his own cash for his bills, dressed well, eating well and receiving the best health care I could give him around the world. If he had not suffered three strokes, there would be hope of recovery.
I am honored to have had all of you help me with every level of care around the world and spending time with him and getting to know him.
RESOURCES FOR YOU
If you suspect anyone of doing financial or physical abuse, please call anonymously. It is the best thing I wish I had done. Adult Protective Services at 1-800-339-4661.
Forms for power of attorney:
https://eforms.com/power-of-attorney/ca/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Power%20of%20Attorney%20By%20State&utm_term=free%20power%20of%20attorney%20form%20california&utm_content=California%20Power%20of%20Attorney%20Forms&eflow=%7Btransaction_id%7D&eflow_affil=%7Baffiliate_id%7D&affid=2&oid=2&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADRfxU4CWpNNbB7_As8248h0f5Y5X
Advance directive: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/ProbateCodeAdvanceHealthCareDirectiveForm-fillable.pdf