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No one has checked on him but me. I am only a friend...not a relationship. I have absolutely no money to help with after life expenses. Even the home care owner doesn't know. I am POAonly because there was no else. .What happens when he passes from Alzheimer's?Will the state go after the son who lives a few miles away?

These thoughts happen to us Caregivers, and Helpers. We're so concerned about the person that we worry about them and what will happen- even after their death. Because we get "stuck" in the caring mode.

The truth is - for you. As a friend, you'll have no involvement at all. It will be handled. By staff, authorities, the county. Whoever.

You don't need to worry about his funeral, or pay any expenses as a neighbor. Sorry to be a bit blunt, but that's how it is.

You're a kind neighbor, and your POA will have evaporated at the moment of his death - and no more worries for you. It's up to his son as to what he'll do or not do. And if he's not around, it's up to the authorities.

Your part in his journey will be complete.
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Reply to QuiltedBear
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QuiltedBear Aug 20, 2025
Sorry, I said neighbor instead of friend. Same answer, though.
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Is he in a nursing home on Medicaid? Medicaid pays enough to have him cremated. There was just another post on this subject and the OP talked to a Social Worker and they helped. In my State, they help with people like this. You nor his son are responsible for his funeral expenses.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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I'm confused - why would the state go after his son? Unless his son is the executor of his will - in which case he would be expected to oversee the estate close out and funeral process - there is nothing to go after him for.

The fact that you are named as his POA and his son lives nearby - speaks volumes about the family dynamic.

As Geaton mentioned, your POA ends when he passes. And his son cannot be made to be financially responsible for anything.

I hear anger and concern in your post - regarding "no one has checked on him but me". And on a normal playing field, it sounds incredibly sad. But we don't know the dynamics of the family or why he named you as the POA and not his son.

But as the POA you are not responsible for his death expenses either.
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Reply to BlueEyedGirl94
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Your PoA authority ends the moment he passes away. I he has a Will, then he may have named an Executor to make burial arrangements and oversee the probate process -- but if he passes with little to no assets, then there's nothing to manage. Then he becomes the county's responsibility.

The son can't be forced to pay for his Father's burial.
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Reply to Geaton777
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What happens in Washington state when an indigent person dies. How is there body disposed of?

I googled what I typed above.

This came up.

“RCW 36.39.030 Disposal of remains of indigent persons. The
board of county commissioners of any county shall provide for the
disposition of the remains of any indigent person including a
recipient of public assistance who dies within the county and whose
body is unclaimed by relatives or church organization. The board of
county commissioners of any county may provide for the disposition of
the remains of an indigent resident of the county who dies in an
adjacent county not in Washington state. [2023 c 62 s 1; 1963 c 4 s
36.39.030. Prior: 1953 c 224 s 1; 1951 c 258 s 1.]”

So, I suppose you could contact your County Commissioner and get more details.

Here is the link where I found the above.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=36.39.030


Some people also donate their body to science.
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