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My father has been diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure. His doctor has given him 6 months or less to live. My parents don't have a living trust, because my father wouldn't pay for it. I would like to set things in motion now (if dad agrees to this) so that I can have access to their finances to pay for her care. She is completely healthy, but her mind has failed her.

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Does your father appreciate the diagnosis that he has such a short time to live? Does he understand that towards the end he will probably be heavily sedated to keep him out of pain? If he does, he should be willing to accept that you need the power to access their funds now while he is still competent to sign a POA. It will be much quicker and cheaper than guardianship. Make sure that the will and HIPPA are in place as well, and that you are estate executor or will have adequate funds to take care of your mother. Perhaps you should ask or think through another question about how you cope with your mother (who probably isn’t now legally competent) after his death.
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Time to talk to a lawyer who specializes in Elder Law. Generally a half-hour consultation is free and can help you identify which to pursue. Definitely start with a Power of Attorney from your father. But ask for advice about dealing with your mom before this situation gets any worse.
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You can obtain guardianship. Particularly given your Dad's condition I would not see that there is a problem unless he would fight it. Is it possible that you could seek guardianship for both of them as your Mom, the one that would make medical decisions for your Dad when he needs it will not be able to. This would also allow you to have access of your Dad's finances as well. (Do they have separate accounts? If you do not gain guardianship for your dad you might have to have a separate account started for your Mom if your dad does not want you having access to all finances.)
If your Dad is on Hospice the Social Worker might be able to help you out with this discussion. (and just because it is me...You should contact Hospice for your dad, they can help make things so much easier for you, your dad, mom and the whole family)
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Okay my accounting records consisted of printing a monthly bank statement, keeping rceipts for purchases for Luz: such as underwear, pads, maybe a prescribed food, specific clothing. Nothing for transportation, dining out, entertainment, etc.
We did consult a Certified Elder Attorney to hash over the options. He cost us $2k, that's all, so shop around.
The annual report was the only paper work required to be submitted to the court. Took me about three days to juggle the numers to get them to balance.
I should have use a CPA. One reason was that I paid for nearly every thing so I could save her money for unplanned expenses in the future. I was allowed by the court to spent up to $250.00 a month of her money in the checking account. I could not touch the money in the savings account because of the amount saved exceeded an amount set by the state law.
This why I say check your state laws before you decide and consult with a Certified Elder Care Lawyer to hear all of the options.
No cost there, free. It cost more for parking and mailing.

My primary conern was that one of the professional Guardians would file for Luz's guardianship and kick me out of the picture entirely.

To read what I am talking about, do a search for "April Parks in Las Vegas."
It is an eye opener.

Things may be very different in your state, so please do your home work.
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Best to go through an elder law attorney.
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An attorney can get this straightened out for you - please find one today who specializes in eldercare. You need immediately help - do not wait.
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Of course you can. You don’t need your dads permission. Just be aware, guardianship tends to be a long and expensive process.
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You need to check the laws in your state to make sure. Around here ANYBODY can file for guardianship over another person. Yes that is right. But the courts have and are leaning heavily toward the family. Although the state can appoint someone else. Not done very often.
So if you only have a POA, a person with a guardianship can trump your POA.
That is why I filed for and was granted guardianship for Luz. And yes the annual accounting was really tough. I should have hired a CPA to help so I coud keep the four remaining hairs on my head. It also depends on how detailed the annual report is. I simply told the judge I had supported her for nearly fifty years and would continue to do so. And I did. Although I still kept records of what I bought for Luz with her SSA money. And what I bought for her with my money, like underwear, bed pads, special clothing, etc.
Now I am filing to terminate the guardianship and filing to be the only legal heir for what is in her name or what we owned jointly. There are no other living heirs in this country. And her sister will not object.
Best of luck to you.
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Avoid conservatorship as much as possible. That other person is right. not only do you have to report every dime spent to the court, that there are many ongoing additional fees Which will cut into the money you would prefer to use caring for her. Conservatorship is really when you have multiple people trying to take control of the care of someone and this is the safest route to go to try to ensure that person is really protected. Don’t do that to yourself. Get a durable POA.
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Go to Office depot, and look up books etc with Living Trusts. You can do this on your own if you have the time. I think it's like the book " Patent It Yourself" book.

fill out papers etc, and take it to notary, and take it to the Main Court and IT SOUNDS SO EASY, DOESN'T IT?

Paralegal is another name that just popped up in my head. They may be able do it cheaper. Do look up paralegals in your area, they may be able to help you. And people who are studying law have to get practice, so check in with the courts, sometimes they have student assistants who can help you file and fill out all this paper work, it is good study habits for students who need to excercise.

GOOD LUCK, check out your main court and paralegals. It may be cheaper and easier than you think.

I believe my cousin went to Office depot and got the forms, followed instructions, and finished it himself...Seriously. But that was over 12 years ago.
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