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Help4Uncle Asked November 2015

What is a reasonable amount for a Durable POA to be paid?

Family member trying to close all accounts . The accounts are in my name only. Can I take payments for my 24/7 caregiving?

justice4tim Dec 2015
He wants to die at home all caregivers for him have been paid per him. I didn't pay myself. I paid my cousin, his friend and the agency for caregivers.Its not too late. He agreed for all caregivers to be paid . All funds can accounted for also

Christine73 Dec 2015
DPOA is not a paid positions. 24/7 caregiving is also not a paid position unless that's the deal you make at the beginning and the person being cared for agrees to it before the caring starts. It sounds like now that you've done the caregiving, you want to take money out of the sick person's account. Personally, I think you should have brought this up at the beginning. Now that it's over, it feels more like extortion. What's "reasonable" has to be "reasonable" in the eyes of the person paying. We can't really tell you what the service you provided is worth to the person receiving the service. That person has the right to decide what it's worth ahead of time. I think it's too late. The best thing you can do is ask if the person will give you some money, but even that feels off if this has never been brought up before. How did you become an unpaid 24/7 caregiver? If you're caring for a parent, most people consider that a moral obligation, not a paid position, especially since the person could have gotten care in a nursing home instead.

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justice4tim Dec 2015
Not all accounts were in my name just the CDs . He is the one that called the bank and requested this. I didn't close them he did

pamstegma Dec 2015
Help4Uncle, no DPOA can put all the accounts in their name. Just like Tim, you have committed a serious crime and need a lawyer ASAP.

justice4tim Dec 2015
Can also get paid for his 24/7 care? My cousin was paid $240 a day like everyone else.my uncle verbally on voicemail said I can write a check for any extra things I may need and for spending money for myself

malloryg8r Dec 2015
Needs more info. Basically the DPOA document itself might include language about compensation for the agent. It might say the agent cannot make gifts to themself, but a gift is different than compensation. I hope you have a copy of the DPOA document, and if you are seeking compensation, you better have been keeping excellent records, including receipts, copies of checks and/or screen shots of online payments, cell phone records, photographs, emails, etc. because if there are disgruntled family members who don't agree with your actions as POA, you will have to prove to them that you have performed properly--or they could seek damages from you. A POA is personally liable for what they do (or fail to do).

geewiz Nov 2015
I believe we need more info before we offer any reasonable ideas. Whose money/accounts are you asking about? Who is the family member trying to close them? What is that person's relationship to the person whose money it is.

It seems to me that 'legally' if your name alone is on an account, then no one can close that account except you or your executor if you die. HOWEVER, the situation and advice may be different if your name is on the account as a convenience only while you served as DPOA for someone. In that case, I would say that 'morally' that money belongs to the other person. I know my name was on my Mom's accounts so I could pay her bills. When she passed, I signed the money over to the executor to be distributed according to the will. I never expected to be paid for my duties as POA nor did I request any payment.

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