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My dad's house is in the process of being sold. We tried renting but neither person worked out. He decided to sell. When he first made the decision, he did not mention to me. I found out when I went to visit him one day at his facility and he had the deed to his house in his room. He had called the court house and they faxed it to him. The guy that wanted to buy had some issues with the process so he backed out. Now we have a potential buyer and everything is going as it should. I have worked hard to the get the house ready for inspection and etc. A few weeks ago the first potential buyer called and said he was interested again. Dad had told him to call me knowing that we are in the process with the current person. The reason I think he is trying to sabotage is because a family member told me to watch him because he will try to do that. This is very nerve wracking! He keeps talking about renting it again. I hope this all made sense. I'm about to lose my mind!!!!

@ Geaton,
I'm responding to your last reply. In regards to outside interference, he talks to alot of people. He is the one who tells what is going on. I do not let anyone know what I'm doing. The interference comes into play when he tells all of his business and they try to tell him how to handle it after I have already handled it. Then he tries to tell me I'm wrong. I know how to use the POA but I also know my dad and sometimes I do not trust him completely. He really did not want to sign the POA but that was part of the required paperwork for the facility. I do know that he talked to a lawyer afterwards to see how much "power" I had although he and I read over it together.
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Geaton777 Aug 4, 2026
In the PoA document, is it springing? I.e. is there a condition to be met in order for your authority to be in force? If you've met the criteria, then it doesn't matter at all what he says and to who. You will need to practice redirecting his misplaced or interfering input/opinions.

If your authority isn't actually active, then that's a whole other issue.
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Beware of Predatory buyers.
That's why you have a realtor.
The buyers should NOT be talking to the seller (s). Only in the presence of the realtor.

Explain to Dad that the real estate listing is a legal contract, it was his decision to sell.
Also explain that the original buyer must go through the real estate agent, and cannot get around it. The realtor may accept a back-up offer (in writing, money down), however, the fact he went to your Dad (and is still talking-maybe never had a written offer) is a red flag.

Get it in writing, with money down and a short escrow from a serious, qualified buyer.

Tell the realtor you have the POA power to sign if Dad waffles.
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MargaretMcKen Aug 3, 2026
Also beware of predatory agents. My DH was putting his waterfront house on the market a few years ago, and called agents. The first suggested a price of $800,000, well below expectations although they weren't really based on anything firm. It finally sold for 1.2M, and we found that the agent had a bad reputation along these lines.
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I guess I'm missing how you feel he is sabotaging the deal.
Are you concerned because another family member planted the idea?

The way I'm reading this is, you have a buyer and the deal is going smoothly. That's great. Then, the first potential buyer changes his mind and contacts your dad, who refers him to you, presumably because you are handling the deal, which Dad is trusting you to capably manage for him. I don't know, maybe Dad got mixed up on who this guy is, or he just didn't want to get involved in dealing with him, so he referred him to you.
It sounds like Dad is relying on you to manage this, without interference on his part. You already mention that dad has some forgetfulness. I would just proceed as you are. Dad is having trouble handling this and has put it in your hands because he trusts you. A person who is struggling with loss of cognitive function will "change their mind" or come up with contradictory ideas because they really don't remember.
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MargaretMcKen Aug 2, 2026
The sabotage is "he keeps talking about renting it again".
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What type of facility is your dad residing in currently? If it is a nursing home the durable POA is in effect for most states. If dad resides in an assisted living residence there may be not enough criteria met to establish POA effective.

With that said, tell your father you will not assist because as he has stated many times he is not considered mentally incapable. He is on his own 100%, You will no longer help get the house in order nor participate in the rental aspect of the house. Yep, he will become upset and possibly throw a temper tantrum. If that happens, calmly tell him you see he is upset and you will come back another day when he is more calm. Then leave.

Your mental health is priority. Refuse to be drawn into his manipulation. And, yes it will be difficult but it is necessary. He needs to understand that your help is vital and not to use manipulation to get what he wants. Actually, you will need to start manipulating him in a sense, LOL.
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faithfulbeauty Jul 28, 2026
AMZEbbc,
He is in a nursing home. He has tried many times over the years to sabotage things even before this. He has people thinking that I do not know how to do anything.. yet I'm the only one who visits regularly and has kept the house up, handled his business and etc.
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If any money has been put in Escrow, you may have to go with the present buyer and sell. If you don't, the buyers may be able to sue,

The POA is immediate. Meaning it was invoked the moment he signed it. I would consult with a lawyer concerning what you can do in this instance. If it was me and I was told I had the power, I would sell it. See how your POA reads. My Moms said I could sell. Nothing about she had to have cognitivity problems and a doctor sign off needed.
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faithfulbeauty Jul 28, 2026
I will definitely be going with the present buyer. I do have the power to sell.
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Wash your hands of the whole thing and tell your father to call the realtor, not you. It's the realtor earning a commission here, all you get is agida, over and over and over again.
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faithfulbeauty Jul 28, 2026
I have about had it. If he tries to stop the sell.. I'm done. We are very close to it being sold.
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I wouldn't go with #1 since they backed up plus you already have another person. If your dad doesn't want to take the necessary steps or want to waste others time, let him handle it the way he was able to find the deed. I can sense your anxiety based on all this manipulation. This is what they tend to do so don't fall into the trap of being pulled in and impacting you. Take care of you first until he signs the POA
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faithfulbeauty Jul 28, 2026
He has signed the POA. It was signed before he went to the nursing home but he has reminded me more than once that he can do what he wants as long as he is in his "right' mind.
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Since he’s refusing to allow the POA to be useful and sabotaging you at every turn, in your shoes I’d back away and leave him to it. Let him make a complete mess of it on his own. No more working on his house. Keep your visits friendly, talk about the weather
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faithfulbeauty Jul 28, 2026
If he causes this sell not to go through, I'm done.
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I'm his POA ( durable) . He had to have a durable POA before being admitted into his facility. He has been tested for depression and etc and his cognitive score is high. He does have some forgetfulness but he just likes to keep me stressed. If he sabotages the progress that has been made with the process of selling, I will no longer be part of the process. We do have a realtor that is helping and he knows that. It is all about control for him. He has reminded me many times that the POA can only be enforced if he is not in his "right" mind.
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Geaton777 Jul 28, 2026
Has he ever had an actual cognitive exam for which you have seen the results in his medical portal? Or a MoCA test of executive functioning?

He can’t stress you out unless you allow it due to lack of clear boundaries, or enmeshment, dysfunctional relationship, Rescuing, etc.
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I wouldn't lift a finger for him in any of this unless he assigned you as his durable FPoA with the authority to make real estate transactions.

Then, I would hire a realtor.

From your profile you state he has a history of trying to manipulate you and your time, so why would this be any different? Is he just trying to get you to pay attention to him? Does he have a history of mental illness? Does he have a diagnosis of cognitive impairment? Seems like he has dementia... has he ever had the test at his primary care clinic appointment, at his annual Medicare wellness exam (which is free)?

Since you are an only child and he is single, do what I did with my Mom: go online and download 2 copies of the PoA doc for his state. Make sure it is durable and check all the boxes for authorities. Don't sign it yet. Tell him that if he wants your help he'll need to go to the notary with you to have both copies signed and legally finalized. If he doesn't do it, stop helping him unless you're a masochist. But don't make a threat you aren't willing and able to carry out.

If he doesn't have a PoA he may eventually become a ward of a court assigned 3rd party guardian because you won't have any power to help him. Make sure to tell him this.

You don't have to be a nervous wreck or lose your mind if you have a plan and boundaries. You must be willing to walk away if he jerks you around. Why stick around for that? You have the control: to be enabled to help him legally or to walk away and report him to APS.
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