I am power of attorney for my elderly mother, she is able to make decisions, but easily influenced. She lives with my estranged sister. Although my name is on the bank account with my name on account. My sister has obtained checks without my name and get mom to sign what ever she puts in front of her.
I feel I am not doing my job as POA since I have no control over these checks!
What can I do, or should I give up to the next in line for POA. I don't want to be found negligent.
Often when the person who holds the financial POA is not the hands on caregiver they can become overly concerned with holding tightly to the purse strings which can cause unintentional hardship and resentment from the caregiver. Sis should have access to funds to pay for the things mom needs, and if she is paying a lot out of pocket she may also feel a legitimate need to be compensated for that.
If you think your sister is manipulating your mom into signing checks and then using the money on herself and for things that have nothing to do with your mom's care, as POA you can close out that bank account your sister's using.
You're not negligent as you have no control over what your sister's doing. If you are concerned that your sister is taking that money of your mom's and misusing it and you don't do anything about it that might be negligent.