Follow
Share

My brother who lives in the same state as our mother is DPOA. He has Parkinson’s and it appears monies are not always used for mother. My assumption is that sister-in-law and brother pay themselves for Service. $200 to $300 a month. My mom pays her own bills. They only take her to the doctor.
I live in another state and would like to either have it revoked or just add myself as active, since I am currently alternate. Can this happen while not in state? Mom is lucid, but 95.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
They're entitled to be paid if Mom agrees to it. Do you know if she has agreed and for how much?

You can't just take over unless your brother is incapacitated or gives it up. His wife is not allowed to take over for him as I assume she's not an alternate.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

No, you cannot add yourself as active. You CAN report any evidence you have of elder abuse with money to APS. They may file a report that you can take to an attorney and file to have those abusing removed as POA. HOWEVER, your Mom currently lives where the other family lives and apparently they are caring for her? It is not illegal for them to be paid for services. Especially if you Mom isn't independent and does live alone and make her own decisions about who to pay and how much. Not knowing the full details, it is hard to judge this whole matter; only you can decide. Are you willing to take on POA and do this work from states away without the help of the siblings, and against the wishes of your Mom? Have you spoken to your Mom? Does your Mom have dementia, because if she is competent and well she is full capable of removing any POAs she wishes to and appointing the alternates.
I would suggest a family conference to work things out.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
Onhold1 Sep 2022
No talking with family member about anything. Ever since he took over both parents finances,person closed mouth. I am afraid my mother didn’t realize missing money until lately and saw a string of checks written that they wrote. No I do not want poa and out of state. They are now wanting to move out of state and put her in an assisted living. There motto is, take it while u can. She is still alive.
(0)
Report
As a Person With Parkinson's I am offended that you imply that simply having that diagnosis makes someone unable to properly or ethically perform those duties of a POA.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report
JoAnn29 Sep 2022
Read OPs other posts.
(3)
Report
I am pretty sure you have been told in previous posts that only Mom can make changes. As I replied in your previous post that only Mom can revolk and assign a new POA. Your first post was Aug of 2021. Why have you not gone to see Mom and taken her to a lawyer to have her reassign a POA? Now, she needs a new Will. This is going to continue as long as brother feels he is in control. If you want changes you are going to need to be proactive.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Whats wrong with them charging money to care for mom? Two or three hundred a month is chump change compared to what in home care or a facility would charge. Don't begrudge your brother for this. She is 95 and cant do anything for herself. Yes lets keep up those 4 or 5 or more doctor visits a month. Give me a break.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
Onhold1 Sep 2022
Your wrong
the only thing they do for her is take her to a 6 Wk apt to doctor. I have a lady come in and help with vacuuming. The lady gets her groceries and my mom pays all her own bills every week, calls an electrician or Plummer if she needs one. They do nothing for her except take her money.
(1)
Report
See 1 more reply
I’ve revoked a POA. All that was required was to fill out a Revocation of POA form, which I think I got from the internet. The form was specific to my state according to the law in that state. I filled it out, had it notarized, and I was required to inform my former POA in writing that I’d revoked it. Done! Check state law where mother lives. If, as you say, she is mentally capable, she could do this. Traveling notaries will come to where she is or she could use an online notary if legal in her state. Once the old POA is revoked, she can execute a new form appointing someone else as POA.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

I agree with Vegaslady, Parkinson affects motor skills mostly.
My husband with PD takes care of finances diligently, never since diagnosis over 6 years ago any mistake was made.
Paying themselves $300 per month is nothing, it costs here for one medical appointment $200.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
JoAnn29 Sep 2022
Dementia can occur in people with Parkinsons.
(7)
Report
See 1 more reply
If I remember correctly, brother has done more than just take a fee for being a POA. He has used Moms money for him and family for personal things.

The POA should have in it that the person holding the POA gets paid. Him taking money without back up could effect Mom getting help with Medicaid in the future. Even if his DPOA is immediate, Mom is of sound mind to make her own decisions. Seems he is making sure everything is changed in his favor. Mom maybe signing because she is afraid of son. OPs previous email says a new will was drawn up by brother and has everything going to him and even wifes family. Why should wifes family get anything.

OP needs to her Mom and take her to a lawyer who can determine if Mom is competent to sign anything. If she is, she can revoke brother as POA and make a new will. OP has been posting since Aug 2021 about brother.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

Pay for POA - never heard of it. Pay for family care - OK, but should be in a written contract. Have you discussed your suspicions with your mother?
Helpful Answer (4)
Report
Isthisrealyreal Sep 2022
POAs are allowed to be paid for POA duties if it is written into the POA.
(0)
Report
POA can be changed but have to go through an attorney and your mom has to say she wants this done. Recently had to do this.
Helpful Answer (5)
Report

Any chance brother would resign? If so he can write a letter saying due to health issues he needs to resign and have two people witness his signature and you’re then poa. Or can your mom write a letter saying she dismisses him and assigns you?
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
Saydey Sep 2022
If brother is getting $200 to $300 a month, why would he resign. Especially since it doesnt appear Onhold1 would be able to step in and "do" for mom since he lives in another state.

My advice would be to leave it alone & trust brother & SIL are doing right by her.

My husband and I have done everything (Dr visits, prescriptions, all financial responsibilities like banking, bills, rent, clothing etc) for an 85 yr old aunt with dementia living in a memory care facility. We don't pay ourselves, but it definitely takes a toll....most people have no idea. We are the only family she has left and I don't know what happens to other people in her situation with no one to take care of them.
(3)
Report
Your brother would have to resign and/or your mother would have to make the change. It is not something you can do on your own just b/c you are designated alternate. Your mother may be perfectly happy to have your brother get a few hundred dollars a month for rides and help and being available when needed. He is there. You are not.
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Only your Mom can change the POAs. You would have to be activated as POA if your brother were no longer capable of doing it. Usually a doctor or attorney would have to get involved with activating a POA. Are you sure that they are not doing other things for her, visiting and overseeing her care, handling her bills and finances? Maybe your mother agreed that they should take a "fee" for themselves. I personally think that primary caregivers should be paid, as long as there are sufficient funds. There are also government programs that pay family caregivers, administered by each state. They should also take advantage of those programs, if they are eligible. Will you really be able to oversee her care as well as they do if you don't live in the same state?
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Adult Protective Services can investigate, please call and request it.

An Elder Law Attorney can offer you the laws and loopholes/exceptions.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Onhold1: Perhaps you need to retain an elder law attorney.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

$200-$300 a month? At $20/hour that is 10 to 15 hours a month of assistance. Think about that. They are on call for mom which puts limits on their lives. Ever dealt with insurance? That takes time. Making appointments takes time. Shopping and providing the supplies needed for daily living take time. A doctor or dentist appointment can take 2 hours or more. They have travel time too, even if it is close. Why not offer to give them a break for a month? You can step in and see what it is really like.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter