Any tips for opening a bank account using DPOA?

Hi there. I'm not sure about Bank of America, but is your mother able to talk on the phone? In our case, we used Suntrust (we are in central Florida). The bank manager spoke with both of us on the phone first, and we explained the situation. My father had passed away, and mom was wanting to open a joint checking account with me, so I could pay her bills as her DPOA. I explained how hard it was to even get my mother in the car. She requested to meet with me, and to bring in the following, a copy of my dad's death certificate (without the cause of death), the ORIGINAL power of attorney paperwork-(she made a copy, and signed that she saw the originals), BOTH of our social security cards, and my ID. The bank manager called my mother while I was sitting with her, asking her again if I had the authority to open the account. As far as a difference in situations...my mother moved in with me, so we shared an address, plus my husband and I have had accounts with Suntrust for years. This was in 2012, I'm sure different banks handle things differently. Good Luck, let us know what happens.

Ever since 9/11 banks want you to show up, in person, with lots of ID and proof of citizenship. Call her existing bank and see if they have a local affiliate where you are. In the meantime, put these benefit funds into her existing account.

I was told by the bank officer at my local branch. She said my mother had to be with me. But I saw later in the DPOA that it expressly states I can "establish" an account.

I was wondering if I could open an account online. I might as well try.

And BOA is the only bank that is in my city and in Mom's tiny city.

Be sure to go to the website for Social Security Benefits. They state that unless you are named and approved as Representative Payee, you aren't supposed to be managing the the social security or disability funds.

If she has a separate account with non social security funds, that might work out well.

Also, if you contact the Social Security office and are not authorized by their process, they will not discuss any matter with you about the recipient or the funds, EVEN if you have DPOA. That makes no difference with them. I would look into it to make sure as I have read this rule numerous times.

Our whole family's accounts are through BOA. Have you contacted them personally? Or just relying on the word of one attorney? The best thing for you to do is just try. You may be able to do this online. We have opened accounts online before. And the good thing is, now that we have branch banking, if necessary, you could go to her town, open the account and then have access to it anywhere. Can't tell you the last time we were physically inside the bank. Good luck!

Yes, she has an account where her SS payments are deposited. But I want to keep these funds separate. And she and I have both moved to cities that do not have a branch of her current bank.

Doesn't she already have an account in a bank? There should be no need to open another one. Nor can anyone tell you what bank to go to....