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Older adults, like everyone, have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to be free from discrimination.

These principles guide AARP’s policies on personal and legal rights and protections in the legal system.

Elder abuse takes many forms. It can be financial, physical, psychological, or a combination of these.

The estate planning process designates who will receive assets and handle responsibilities after a person dies.

Guardianship allows someone to make legal decisions for another person. It is known as conservatorship in some states.

All people have the fundamental right to be free from discrimination. Various civil rights laws protect this right.

Alternative dispute resolution refers to any means of settling disputes outside of the courtroom. Arbitration and mediation are the two primary forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Congress should reauthorize the Elder Justice Act (EJA). It should fully fund the EJA and other programs that address elder abuse.

Policymakers should devise Silver Alert programs to alert the public to missing older adults with appropriate protections and limitations.

States should simplify estate planning. This includes allowing the use of electronic wills or trusts to govern the distribution of property at death.