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Brother is DPA and seems very uncertain about his reponsibilities. He calls up parents attorney and they must have some great conversations because the bills are at least a grand or more. He does this several X's per year!
My question is how do parents stop this. They don't have much money. Biggest asset is their home.
Oh and DPA is also Executor and Trustor. He got himself on all parents accounts and even pressured parents to change their beneficiary designations.
He live far far away and winters in Central America, so maybe they should have a diff DPA (and all the rest).
But my sister think if we ask parents to switch this, brother will just run up a huge bill with lawyer, fighting against it.
I only have parents interests in mind. I hate to see all these strange bills from lawyer (law office won't even say what was discussed, they defer all Q's to the brother!).
This all sounds so wrong. Where do I start, to get the bills stop, first, no more silly bills! and how to keep parents from taken advantage in future.

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Congratulations- I am glad you were able to work this out. You may have some problems with this sibling later when your parents do not have capacity so good to make things airtight now.
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Good news, we went to the law offices, parents insisted I come along and it was very interesting to hear all sorts of things had been going on, some of the issue had to do with some vacation property (needed to be held in trust, was not issued correctly on record). So that was good to find out something needed was being done.
But in hashing over all their paperworks, it became apparent my parents feelings they want someone near by to them, who more likely can see their needs, and that would be me, so the lawyer even suggested they corrected their personal representing then in case of need, to be myself, which is a good change. So they are not only updating the DPA but also Personal Representative for when they have both passed away, or if one has died and the others got dementia or cannot take care of himself.
I really am relieved to know there won't be any more surprise bills, and full intend to keep the lawyers away as much as possible. I mean there could be need for some down the road! Who knows. But for sure they are so costly, and if they even look in your direction it seems to make a bill.
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no, usually when the POA is revoked a new one is named or the person chooses to go without; guardianship if it was truly needed rather than a scam, would have to be given to another family member or friend who seemed more likely in the eyes of the court to carry out responsibilities, or to a state appointed person.
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So what happens then? Does the elder become a ward of court until guardianship is sorted out, or what?
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POA can be revoked even if the person was judged incompetent. I saw an attorney who drew up a very simple document (and told me I could just get one off the Internet) to revoke it. Best to have it witnessed and notarized though by a 3rd party.
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This sounds very fishy and if your parents are still competent then you should have a frank talk with them about changing over the POA and trusteeship.
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A few grand a year seems a BIT much if there is really nothing to talk about. See what brother might tell you and let him know that this seems like a lot even here in America for a straightforward case. Maybe they are big fundsuckers and schedule unecessary routine conferences the was an estate planner might do for free just to run up a bill - if you know who they are, you can look them up online and check their customer/client reviews.
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Just so you know: Going o probate court and applying or petitioning for guardianship can be very expensive in the end. If parents HAVE capacity the POA can be revoked.
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Samara, don't you bother the lawyer with questions, either! - It sounds as if every time anyone in that office so much as draws breath they cheerfully charge your parents for it, and what's more they can do so with what passes for a clear conscience in that kind of firm - any time spent on your parents' behalf is legitimately chargeable. I had a lawyer like that once. But not for long. Couldn't afford it.

If your parents still have capacity, they can revoke that POA and do a new one, appointing somebody more suitable than a distant child who (excuse me, but) sounds a bit thick.

If they haven't, then you will need to tackle your brother yourself. What kind of terms are you on?
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MM says it all. If your parents are having trouble with this attorney wise then I suggest they call the American Bar at the least they will give you advise.
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How do your parents stop this? They call that attorney and tell him they aren't paying any more bills on behalf of their Power of Attorney whether or not the matters discussed pertain to them. Your parents can also give their attorney permission to discuss any and all of their business with YOU.

Unless your parents have been judged in a court of law to be incompetent, they can change their Powers of Attorney at any time by simply giving their attorney a heads-up by phone and visiting the office a few days later to sign the papers. Ask the attorney to them send a letter to your brother revoking HIS.
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You can go to court and petition for Guardianship. You would need your own attorney for this. He would also need his own attorney. Judges usually prefer a Guardian living within the same jurisdiction.
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