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I was appointed guardian for my father and am having a terrible time getting access to his funds. His bank places one roadblock after another - they've frozen his account so that his health insurance check bounced, refuse to allow me to write checks, and now they say they may not recognize my guardianship since the account is from another state. He already owes two month's rent at the assisted living facility and many other bills as well. I'm at my wit's end! What can I do?

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The mnl, his mom had her Will updated because of greedy relative. Hubby had his mom to make sure that relative was not on the Will n she had a few others that have passed years ago. So, he is on the top list for handling estate stuff if something is to happen to her then me n a Neice of the mnl. The lawyer did make sure she understood what she was doing at the time n more than once. His mom still has say so I guess until she passes away which we are not in a hurry for that. I guess you call it a POA of a WILL?
Not really sure if we r okay as for her Medicare check, for it goes directly into her account so that money can be taken out for medicare automatically. Plus, n hubby is on that list so he can manage her money when I buy her medicine where he can take some out when needed.
We have no guardianship for his mom n not sure if he needs that either being he has a POA. All this legal stuff is a bit hard n tricky sometimes.
Thanks for lettting me know that he may need to get advance director for her medical situation.
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To Heatherj: Sounds like you only have a limited (or specific) type of guardian ship over your Dad. Perhaps it's only to deal with medical issues?! To be able to handle any of his other legal and financial matters you will need to apply of additional guardianships or get POAs. A financial institution cannot legally let you manage your Dad's accounts unless you have valid papers that give you access.

To Lildeb: Yes, I'd suggest that your hubby also get a POA or proxy for his Mom's medical situation, unless she has a living will or advanced directives in place.
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Oh boy, my hubby only has POA for estate stuff but not for medical so does he need to get that as well for his mom whom has AD?
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I agree that two kinds may be needed. I was appointed my sister's conservator of person (medical decisions) and estate (money). I needed both to navigate the system on her behalf.
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Ah! Two kinds of guardianship! Thank you, Mstone55. Does that shed any light on the bank's behavior, heatherj?
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Heather - you might think about finding a new bank that is more user friendly.This bank is probably always going to be a buttrash to deal with imho. I'd ask the social worker or the billing office at the assisted living facility which banks seem to be more flexible. The social worker may even have a name of the bank officer at a branch nearby. Is it Chase?

Then go ASAP and meet a bank officer at the new and open a new account in your mom's ss# with you as a signer on the account and you as the POD on it. Take the legal guardianship paperwork with you and do not mention the issues with the other bank.I'd say "Ms Jane at Blue Skies AL just loves dealing with you and your bank and my mom is a resident there and this is just better situation....." Do whatever you deposit as a loan with paperwork on it. If you don't have the $, then get someone to do a loan to start the account and again do the paperwork that you as DPOA can do to show this is a loan to your mom. Once you get the new bank and account #, then go on-line to social security administration to move the direct deposit to the new account. If she also has retirement accounts, get those transferred too. You do all this on-line and within your power as guardian and you do it all as her. Don't start on a conversation about the problems you've had or that your mom is whatever, that just send up a red flag. On line is best, get it?
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Heatheri, I was just appointed guardian for my sixteen year old adopted son after his dad passed away and I had to file two different types of guardianship paperwork, one just to be his personal guardian and another that covered financial guardianship. Do you have both types of guardianships? The bank has to recognize the financial guardianship, it's a legal document. I think I would get back in touch with whoever drew up your guardianship papers and get some advice there. Good luck, my prayers are with you.
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You probably need to see an elder care attorney ASAP. You should be appointed your father's trustee, POA and medical proxy. If you are his trustee and/or POA, the banks will have to let you at his accounts. If it makes you feel any better, Verizon would not release any information to me on my mother's account because it was still in my father's name, and he has been dead 3 years. The rep from Verizon asked to speak with my father; when I told him that would be difficult because he's been dead for 3 years, the rep said they needed a copy of the death certificate! Geeze.....for phone information? Come on!
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