A heart-wrenching legal battle unfolds as a 70-year-old woman fights to reclaim her life savings, allegedly misappropriated by a family member. Hyerang Kim filed a complaint on January 8, 2026, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against Alina Kim, accusing her of financial elder abuse and other charges. The case highlights the vulnerability of elders and the potential for betrayal within families.
Hyerang Kim’s lawsuit against Alina Kim is steeped in familial ties and trust that turned sour. According to the complaint, between June 2023 and November 2024, Ms. Kim entrusted over $72,000—her retirement savings—into a Robinhood brokerage account managed by her son Steven but credentialed under Alina’s name for convenience. This arrangement was meant to segregate Ms. Kim’s funds from Steven and Alina’s marital assets. However, following Steven and Alina’s separation in late November 2024, Alina allegedly changed the account password without consent and liquidated securities worth at least $36,000 into her personal bank account. Despite repeated demands from Ms. Kim since December 2024 for the return of her funds, Alina has refused to comply.
The lawsuit further details how Ms. Kim loaned over $30,000 to Alina between March and June 2022 to help complete her graduate education with an understanding that it would be repaid upon demand—a promise unfulfilled as of July 2025 when repayment was requested. The complaint paints a picture of an elder who is not only financially dependent on family due to limited English proficiency and technological discomfort but also emotionally distressed by these events.
Ms. Kim accuses Alina of multiple violations including financial elder abuse under California Welfare & Institutions Code §15610.30; civil theft per Penal Code §496(c); conversion; breach of fiduciary duty; breach of contract regarding the unpaid loan; conspiracy; and more. She seeks compensatory damages plus $31,620 for the unpaid loan amount; treble damages under Penal Code §496(c) for misappropriated retirement funds; punitive damages; attorney fees under relevant codes; imposition of a constructive trust over all traceable funds; full accounting of transactions involving her money; declaratory relief affirming sole ownership over disputed assets; equitable restitution/disgorgement benefits obtained unjustly by Alina among other reliefs deemed just by court.
Representing Hyerang Kim are attorneys Jonathan Joannides (Bar No:311260) & Max Discher (Bar No:321720) from Digital Frontier Law APC based out San Jose CA while reviewing this case is Judge T.Flores presiding over Case ID:26CV483992 filed at Superior Court located within Santa Clara County jurisdictional bounds where alleged acts occurred making venue appropriate here too given defendants’ residency therein alongside contractual obligations needing performance locally amidst ongoing marital dissolution proceedings between involved parties.
Source: 26CV483992_Hyerang_Kim_v_Alina_Kim_Complaint_County_of_Santa_Clara_California.pdf
