I too run the family business and have done so on my own for 5 1/2 years. I take my mother with dementia to work with me. It is a sole proprietorship. Are you an employee with a paycheck? Is this a LLC or corporation? Who owns the business? Has anyone been to the lawyers and officially changed ownership with state and federal? Need lots more information!
Bear, as has been stated, the POA has no effect after the individual (your stepfather) dies. So that doesn't provide you with authority to run the business.
Who are the incorporators and officers of the business, or is it an assumed name? In other words, whose names are on the documents that were filed to establish the business? Are there articles of incorporation? If so, the people named in these documents are the ones who have authority to run the business.
How did your mother "take away" whatever it was she took? How to fight back requires a lot more information on how the business was established and how it's structured.
Does she get income from it?
Are you your mother's POA?
If your mother gave you POA and she is still of sound mind, then she can run the business if she inherited it. Does she get income from it?
Your POA ended at his death, so that has no bearing on the business.
Who are the incorporators and officers of the business, or is it an assumed name? In other words, whose names are on the documents that were filed to establish the business? Are there articles of incorporation? If so, the people named in these documents are the ones who have authority to run the business.
How did your mother "take away" whatever it was she took? How to fight back requires a lot more information on how the business was established and how it's structured.