Dad squandered his money; doesn't have enough for food. Besides buying him food, how can I take over his finances?

does your dad live alone? is there a chance that you could have a conversation re financial POA as well as medical POA? you might ask him ....if there is an issue re food and such maybe you could get adult protective services to step in....the bottom line for him would be that someone he can trust should step in to help him sort this out...I think if you use a gentle non threatening approach you might win him over, does he live near you or far away? good luck

You have to get a neurologist to declare him incompetent. That will require a brain scan and eeg, plus the observational tests. I was quoted $4000. in legal fees to do this. You will have to go to court, and every living relative is served legal notices so they can appear in court and contest the matter. I went to the Dr, and all the tests w/ dad, but decided not to file now. The only reason I would do that now would be to place him in a home, and he's not ready for that. In your situation,
you need to gain his trust and help him organize his paperwork. Tell him you want to look at his bills and make sure they are getting paid. Find out where the money really goes.

You do not say if your father has a mental problem such as dementia or Alzheimer's. You also do not say if your father has a Trust or if he has given anyone his Power of Attorney. You will need to find out if he is ill for sure as you will have to prove that if you attempt to go for guardianship, which is long drawn out and expensive I am told. If he does not have a mental illness then he could still give you his POA only I doubt that he would be willing to do it.

There are so many things that could be happening, gambling, drinking, loans to friends, scams, all of these things could contribute to his monetary condition. One thing for sure you have to sit down and have a heart to heart talk with Dad about his condition. Do it as soon as possible.

Best of Luck to you both

Contact your dad's local food pantry and ask what the procedure is for applying to get food for dad. Do not get it at the food bank, food banks are where food pantries get their food at. Food banks make profit from food pantries. Food pantries help the community.
The food pantry in our area, we can get food every 2 weeks for 6 months and you can reapply. They are very generous with the food they give out and it lasts long.

Just say your dad is elderly and does not have enough to buy food. They may require 2 utility bills and proof of income and his ID. It depends on your local food pantry.

Also, try applying for dad's food stamps as well.

Hope this helps!

First get the facts. Are the friends now alerting you the same ones who have benefited from his generosity. maybe they want you to keep buying his food so that he does not default on the car loans. LET THE CARS BE REPOSSESED. It may ruin his credit rating but so what. He (you) definitely need a lawyer to sort this mess out or he will end up with a lien on his house, or loose it for back taxes. Anyone prepared to take him in and supervise his money. Be very very careful that you don't end up being responsible for his debts. his pension can be garnished bank accounts frozen and lots of other unpleasant things.
Maybe our resident legal expert can comment on this one. I am sure this happens a lot. I hope for your peace of mind this happens quickly. No Ferris he does not have the right to spend his money how he wishes if it puts a burden on others. As our government is finding out there comes a time when borrowing to spend has very negative consequences on the people who can least afford it. Did these people think the loans would disappear with his death, they will be paid first and there will be nothing left for the family to inherit. It is a very sad situation and you can choose to ignore it. After all he has made his bed and it is not easy to get someone declared incompetent. So two choices, let the chips fall where they may or be proactive.

First, you have to establish he has a mental/medical condition that makes him spend money foolishly and with reckless abandon. If you can, then you can file for guardianship. If no reason can be found, then he has every right to spend his money as he chooses, regardless of how you regard his spending.