What good is a welfare check from Adult Protective Services?

Yeah, but I don't think ALF bills normally include college fees, do they? If you have that down in black and white, I think I'd take it to the police rather than APS. But if the police ask your mother about it and she says it's a gift, then it's not misappropriation. Grey area unless she's been declared incompetent and your brother has POA.

How are you getting hold of bank and credit card statements, by the way?

Did you specifically tell APS that you suspected financial mismanagement? I hope you can prove it, if that's what you're alleging.

By the way, I'm sure it was just casual use of language, but APS is not there to help you. Their job is to help your mother, if need be.

Is it impossible for you to travel at all? I realise that it's not just down the road, but I can't help thinking that if I were that worried about my mother's welfare I'd be getting on a plane rather than leaving it for nine months and then calling in the authorities. How did you get to hear about the operation, given that your brother isn't speaking to you and your mother is incommunicado?

The NYS Attorney General would not let something like this slide by. Nor will he act on it without hard evidence. On the other hand, if your brother is caring for her, that is a lot cheaper than Assisted Living. Weigh your options.

With APS, you can ask them to do a welfare check and to contact you if there is an emergency. They will do that, but under HIPAA restrictions, they cannot share the details if mom tells them not to.
My guess is mom is fine and she will not allow them to talk to you.
Read between the lines.

You have *joint* POA with your brother? If you have joint, as opposed to joint and several, POA you are equally accountable for any mismanagement of funds. Go back to the lawyer who drew up this documentation and take his advice.

just received her credit card statements for the past year and saw lots of expenses that don't belong. mom now owns a $1000 basketball hoop, a new lawn mower a new stove all items over $1000..no wonder when I last spoke to her she said oh no I think I made a spending mistake. and food shopping bills out of this world..

me again... today I went online to pay a bill for moms electric and found out my brother who shares Joint Poa closed the acct without notifying me. I know if he drags mom to a lawyer he could of removed me as POA ...wouldn't I be notified.. I am giong to contact a lawyer now

So what happens to the bill? It's a very muddled picture that you're still receiving utility bills for her but he's controlling the account, isn't it? Let us know what the lawyer says, but it is a shame you can't just pick up the phone, call your brother and ask. Sounds like a very expensive way of doing things! - and of course it's your mother who'll end up paying. What a minefield POA is, eh. Hope to hear better news from you.

Dear, you said on Oct 30 that you were going to call the lawyer the next day. Did you? If you are joint poa, you could be held responsible for this if you have knowledge of it. Why are you dragging your feet?

I had gotten sick in between with health issues. I had to wait on certain documents which finally arrived and proved my brother is spending mom's money. waiting now on a call back from a lawyer for an appointment. my husband said in the end if it's all too much I should give up my poa and let the ball roll where it may...thanks all for always listening.. have a good day..