Here's an odd suggestion: if there's an agency who knows/trusts you and they have a copy of the POA [such as the ALF your mother's in] perhaps tell them what's happened and ask for a copy? Being prepared to show proper ID, of course.
Sophia, look on the left side of any documents you have, such as the Will (which I assume you have a copy of as you're Executrix). Most law firms I'm familiar with used what was used to known as "pleading paper", also used for estate planning documents. The name of the firm is on the left side, creating the left side margin.
Also, check who witnessed the Will and who notarized it. Often the attorney witnesses and one of the staff notarizes. If the notary is the same as one of the witnesses, there's a high possibility execution took place at the law firm of the attorney who prepared it.
Since you're co-signers on the bank account, I assume you've been handling her finances for a while? Do you have old checkbooks, old bank statements that you can check for payments to an attorney or law firm?
Check with the county to see if POAs are required to be filed/recorded. If so, pay the small charge to get a copy of it.
also, when I signed my moms POA. it was in front of her attorney and then notorized. and then sent to the courts (?) and recorded in county records. did someone have this done?
Where I live, the Power of Attorney and Wills are not recorded at the Court House. I know mine weren't, never were my late parents. Just not the norm here.
One would need to dig through a parent's file drawers or desks to see if the original is there. Sometimes elders will place such documents in a Bank Safety Deposit Box. Or in what is called a "strong box" which my Dad had hidden in his closet with a hatch lock... finding the key was another matter :P I was lucky, my parents had given me a copy of their Power of Attorneys and copies of their Wills many years ago. That is when I noticed such documents were older then dirt.
I agree with GardenArtist about the name of the law firm being in left upper corner of any legal documents that they have created. Usually there is also a heavy blue or grey paper cover.
No and No she is not capable of signing anything. I have been signing for her for a while. She has my name on all bank accounts and executor of the will.
My mother's doctor's office has a copy of her health POA and my mom's bank has a copy of her Financial POA. See if this is the same for your mom and ask them for a copy.
Also, check who witnessed the Will and who notarized it. Often the attorney witnesses and one of the staff notarizes. If the notary is the same as one of the witnesses, there's a high possibility execution took place at the law firm of the attorney who prepared it.
Since you're co-signers on the bank account, I assume you've been handling her finances for a while? Do you have old checkbooks, old bank statements that you can check for payments to an attorney or law firm?
Check with the county to see if POAs are required to be filed/recorded. If so, pay the small charge to get a copy of it.
did someone have this done?
One would need to dig through a parent's file drawers or desks to see if the original is there. Sometimes elders will place such documents in a Bank Safety Deposit Box. Or in what is called a "strong box" which my Dad had hidden in his closet with a hatch lock... finding the key was another matter :P I was lucky, my parents had given me a copy of their Power of Attorneys and copies of their Wills many years ago. That is when I noticed such documents were older then dirt.
I agree with GardenArtist about the name of the law firm being in left upper corner of any legal documents that they have created. Usually there is also a heavy blue or grey paper cover.
you have copy of will?
are you POA or is someone else?
do you know for sure there is a POA? but it just got mis-placed or lost?
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