How do you take control of your parents finances when they won't let you and won't talk to you about it?

What if a wife has that same problem with a spouse. My husband handled our finances for almost 60 yrs, and I was the homemaker, and saved and did not spend. Never bought a thing unless with him and he purchased it. I did not know about what he spent and now I have to take over the finances as he had a stroke and can rest now. I have to do everything and feel lost. I have made a budget, and like doing it, but I have no knowledge about the way he has done with the money in the past. The stroke left him unable to express himself. Where do I get an attorney, with little money ?

As a spouse, you have a lot less legal problems than a son or daughter in handling this situation. Many senior organizations such as AAA, AARP, and Church Social Organizations offer courses to help seniors with financial planning and money management. These are low cost or even free. However, beware of scam artists who may approach you offering to "handle" all the stuff for you. Do not give out any personal financial info to strangers or people offering to handle these problems for a "small fee" Deal only with people you and your husband have known for a long time such as the Manager at your Bank or an attorney that has done work for you in the past. Stay away from offers for credit , annuities, reverse mortgages or any other offers in which a large sum of money (anything over $100) is involved.

Leo, who says that you have to do the finances your husband's way? Do things the way you want to now. Do you have a son or daughter that can help decipher your husband's records? I myself do all the bills, but I try to keep them as simple as possible, knowing that someday hubby might be in the same situation as you are now. If you have stocks etc. can't you call those people and have someone give you the 101 class on that particular thing? Simplify, and streamline your finances for your understanding is what I'd suggest.

Well, I have no trouble doing the finances. I have done them, but knowing how to handle the confususion that he has made in the past is very hard. Being secretive with me is longstanding. Yes..I could have fought him and perhaps make him a wreck doing so in order to do the finances as well as everything else in our marriage, but he had a job with lots of spare time, plus lots of responsibility, no work with the home, and this is one thing I thought he would do as he had been doing his parents for years and good at it, I thought. I made a mistake by letting him go thru life with nothing to do, but there is a lot more going on in this than I can tell. I know how to pay the bills etc, but have no info on past dealings with handling the money. I think I know more than he does now that he doesn't want any money or need any, but I don't know how to take over the mess he made without me knowing it. He admits to setting me up. He expects me to be hail and hearty forever and take care of him. I would if they were simple, although I have problems working at the puter as I'm ailing with vision and body problems too. My mind is good and his is too. He just doesn't want the money problems now. I wish I had someone to give the whole story to. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to other people. I guess. Anyway...I think I have done very well in my life. The one thing I didn't do was the finances when left in my lap after things get rough, is not easy for me.

leothebird1, I sort of know what you are going through. I don't know your age or if your marriage is one where the man is always "in charge". But I have had some of this problem with my husband as well. I pay all the bills but he has investments and an inheritance. He is pretty well off. But none of this money is mine unless he dies. I am the beneficiary of all but I can't touch anything now. I was a stay home mom to three girls two years apart (twins). My plate was full. But now that they are grown and educated, moved away and one married, I still feel he holds all the cards. Some men are just control freaks. We are both cheap and save money, so it is not about me spending. I am just glad my girls are independent and have their own money. I was raised to be a housewife and mom. I loved it but in some ways it is just not enough, especially today.