My parents live in Florida, I live in Michigan. I handle all of their Finances. All of their living expenses are set up on auto pay. They forward me their medical bills. They use debts cards to pay for groceries, gas,and dinning out. My problem is, they open up charge accounts every where even though I have advised them not to. They have the money available to pay through their checking account. Both my parents have memory issues. So most of the time, the charge card bill gets lost or missed placed. I am not aware of these accounts until they forward me the " Finale Collection Notice". By then, interest and late fees have been applied. I have tried to talk to them about this and I think it goes in one ear and out the other. Is there anything I can do to prevent them from opening new accounts?
You might also contact the 3 credit bureaus and ask if there's a way you could be added as contact for any potential new credit card issuers. I'm not really sure if this could be done, but it's worth a try.
Another option is to get free legal advice from the Elder Law of Michigan agency on behalf of your parents. Generally they don't provide free legal advice except to eligible elders within certain income limitations, so you might have to explain that you're requesting this on behalf of your parents.
This is their contact information:
1.866.400.9164
www.elderlawofmi.org
This is an agency, not a law firm. Attorneys of various practice areas volunteer their time, for free, to potential clients.
It may be that you could also find s similar source in Florida.
Another alternative is to suggest to them that it might be easier for you to handle all their bills if the credit card bills are sent directly to you. (That's what I've done). Then you can at least ensure that they're paid.
I assume that you don't have a Durable Power of Attorney on their behalf?
There's also the possibility that with the unpaid credit card bills their credit scores will decline to the point that new credit won't be issued.
Good luck.