§55-7J-5. Action to freeze assets; burden of proof; options the court may exercise.

(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 place 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;

(4) Provide for the appointment of a receiver; or

(5) Order any combination or all of the above.

(b) In any action under §55-7J-1 et seq. of this code, the court may void or limit the application of contracts or clauses resulting from the financial exploitation.

(c) In any civil 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.

(d) An order entered under this section shall state that a violation of the order may result in criminal prosecution under §61-2-29b of this code and state the penalties therefor.