Q: I am Power of Attorney for my demented and abusive elderly parents. Can I turn it over to one of my siblings?
A: It depends. Unless there is specific authority in the Power of Attorney document for the "agent" (person given powers under a Power of Attorney document) to delegate powers to another individual, the general rule is that he/she may not do so.
You can, however, decline to serve as the named agent and instead encourage your siblings to petition the court to be appointed as their guardian and conservator.
At least that way your siblings would have legal authority to deal with the money and personal affairs of your elderly parents.
K. Gabriel Heiser is an elder law attorney and author of "How to Protect Your Family's Assets from Devastating Nursing Home Costs: Medicaid Secrets." Read his full biography