My mother has a Bank of America account. She is losing the understanding of the need to pay monthly bills...any suggestions?

Dougie, my Dad got to a point where he was throwing out the bills thinking they were junk mail.  So I asked if I could handle his billing [I was his financial Power of Attorney] and he was more than happy to hand this chore over to me.

To get everything started, I took Dad to his bank and asked the Bank Manager what to do so that I could write out the checks plus sign them.  The Manager helped us set up the account to make that possible.  It was quite easy, the Bank Manager was so very helpful :)

Next step, I had all the bills redirected to my address, thus no fear of recycling an unpaid bill, like before :P

Then I bought some 3-ring binders so I could file the bills along with copies of the checks, just in case I needed such paperwork in the future.

Dougie, do you think your Mom will understand what is the reason for having a Power of Attorney? It is best to have two names on the POA, like you and your brother having equal power if you both tend to think the same way. Otherwise, one of you could be "primary" and the other "secondary".

When I had taken my parents to see an Elder Law Attorney, the Attorney had to make sure that my parents understood what they were signing. Even though my Mom was in her late 90's, the Attorney let my Mom be "primary" with me being "secondary" for my Dad's POA. Similar with my Mom's POA. This worked out quite well. While there, my parents updated their very outdated Wills, made out Medical Directives which they never had before, and even a Trust.

As long as there is no disagreement with brother, and mother is still resisting, I'd probable arrange for her to sign it unknowingly. Maybe next time she goes to the doc, slip it into paperwork that she has to sign? Or fake some type of paperwork that she needs to sign for Social Security? It depends on how "with it" she is. The alternative is to go the legal route of getting guardianship, etc.

Can you set up payments on autopay?

bills.bankofamerica.com/wps8307/wps?rq=gf&sp=neutral&file=ebills_setup_autopay_full_nav_how.htmlt

Dougie, if this is mom's money--her pension, SS, etc., you don't want to be the primary owner of the account. I believe, on the face of it, that would look like theft.

In addition, if you think at some point you might need to apply for Medicaid, you don't want there to be any questions raised about whose funds are whose.

I think you want to talk to her bank manager about the best way to title the account, if she agrees.

I was lucky, Mom realized years ago she was having problems. She called all the companies she paid and put me on the account to notify if payment wasn't made. When Dad died a new will was done and POA for financial and medical naming me. I was put on her bank accounts. I also called each company and found out where to send a copy of my POA so it will show on her account so I can talk to them.

nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/convenience-accounts-powers-attorney.html

I think what you want to set up is called a Convenience Account.

Dougie - I have Bank of America account. So, does my mother. I pay ALL my bills online. For you to pay all your mother's bills online, you need:

1) Go to secure.bankofamerica.com/login/enroll/entry/olbEnroll.go?request_locale=en_US

Copy and paste the link above. You will see two boxes asking for information.

2) Put in her account number or her ATM card number
3) Put in her social security number

Then click Continue
4) Follow the instructions to create an online ID and password
5) Follow the instructions to choose and answer secret questions.
6) You will also be asked to put in your cell phone number so that you can be sent a code when you access the account from a new computer.

Once you finish the process, you now can access the account by going to

https://www.bankofamerica.com/

From there, you can put in the ID, and password that you just create, and will have access to the account. You then can set up bill payments. You will need to know the payee names, addresses, and account numbers (utilities, credit card, etc.)

It is not difficult, just takes a little time. Once it's all set up, it's a breeze to use.

If possible, I highly recommend you open a B of A account for yourself at a branch, then have the bank rep walk you through all the steps to have online access and setting up bill payment and you can ask questions in person. Once you know how to do it, you can do the same for your mother's account.

Thanks to all...I'll check these things out. :)