I have Power of Attorney over my Mom's finances. Her landlord insists on being paid in cash. Will not take check. How do I handle this?

This makes me wonder what kind of a tax scam this landlord is attempting that he doesn't want a paper trail. I suppose he may have a lot of experience with bounced checks and is trying to protect himself, but something doesn't smell right. How about offering a cashier's check? Definitely insist on a written receipt for each payment. I'm sure you want to keep careful records of where Mom's money is going.

Is he afraid that if his tenant dies you could cancel a check? But with cash he's safe. Other than that, Jeannegibbs is right, something is amiss.

My daughter wants me to give her permission to write checks out of my bank account. What do you think? Could there be consequence? I am still mentally sound and have no problems managing my account.

Oh my. Lots of possibilities here, Hulda. Why does she want this permission? Maybe you think the account management is just fine, but she sees some bills that have been paid twice and others that are overdue. Maybe you are mentally sound but she is worried about a time when you might not be. Or maybe she has a little easy larceny in her heart and would love to get her hands on your account. We know nothing of your relationship with your daughter or her personality or yours. So it is hard to guess whether the consequences would be a nice backup bill-payer if you are ever in the hospital or rehab and temporarily can't handle things, or heartache over abused trust down the road.

My sister can write checks on my mother's account. Works great. The first thing she did (which your daughter could help you do, without getting direct access to your account) is set up as many automatic payments as she could. Nobody has to remember to pay the cable company, because that comes out of the checking account automatically. My mother does have problems managing her account, so Sister does pick up medical bills are others that don't recur monthly and she writes the check for those. In our family's case, the amount of money in the checking account at any time is not substantial. None of the rest of us (another 6 kids) have any fear Sister will take advantage of this. If Ma dies and this sister automatically owns the content of the checking account, none of us would be bothered. She'd probably split it with us, but if she didn't it would not be a Big Deal. It might be enough for all of us to go out to a nice restaurant, have a good meal, and toast mother's memory.

The more money in your account, the more unexpected consequences could be a problem. The more stable and loving your daughter, the less likely there would be trickery. Are there other children? That could complicate the picture is one or more of them doesn't trust the checkbook sister.

Lots of things to think about. It could be a helpful thing.

I am inclined to tell the landlord he should be happy to be paid.......but, tell the landlord you need the canceled checks to prove that you are distributing your mothers assets properly.

Here's the short answer: Check your mother's lease and see to which your mother contractually agreed and then pay accordingly, reminding the landlord of the lease provision if the lease provides for payment other than cash. If there is no written lease -- and only a verbal agreement -- how did your mother pay her rent each month prior to your involvement? (This goes towards intent, the intention of the contracting parties.) If the landlord threatens to evict your mother if he doesn't receive cash and you want your mother to stay, then pay in cash and have him sign a receipt (with both parties names, identifying who pays whom and for what, be specific with identifying the property by street address and apt. #, amount of payment, method of payment (cash), date of the payment and for what time period (which month and year) the rent payment is made. Keep accurate records. You can contact the IRS, even anonymously, to notify them of the cash trasaction and possible non-reporting of income by the landlord.

If you moved in to your mothers rental without the permission of the landlord and without going through the proper channels-credit-crime checks-whatever is expected where you are- -you are not legally suppose to be there. What kind of job do you have-whats your credit rating-are you legally on the contract-these are questions landlords take into consideration. The landlord does not Owe you or your mother housing unless it is a government type deal, it is a service that they provide. When someone wants cash it usually means that the party in question is considered high risk. If you do not like the way the landlord does business, I would ask how to get myself on the lease legally or find your mother another place to stay. In the meantime money orders also provide receipts and should make everyone happy. The only reason I would be concerned is if you were paying a third party cash and not the owner of the property. If the owner does not own the property free and clear, they may want cash because they are afraid the bank will foreclose on them any moment-that would be my biggest concern with the economy as it is-happens all the time now-regardless of if you paid cash or check you would still be evicted when the bank steps in. Alot of people are losing properties now due to falling realestate value- mixed with awhole lot of deadbeat tenants-knowing who you are renting from and having a good and honest relationship goes far as it does in any business relationship.Regardless, the method of payment ,get receipts-politely-being a butthead rarely gets anyone anywhere.

ALWAYS get a signed by landlord receipt. He should not mind that. Always have pen and paper handy for him/her.