Do my parents have to keep their same lawyer?

I question why the current attorney needed to get an updated POA for his files. At least you have the originals in your possession. Also, if your problem is with the previous POA, why change attorneys and incur more charges?

$85 isn't an unfair charge for minimal updates, IMO, though.

Any changes cost money, billable hours anywhere from 200-400 per hour. Just try not to make any more changes if you can.

PrettyGood, a grand for preparing all those legal documents for 2 people is quite the bargain, that $500 each person. If you go to an Elder Law attorney it will probably cost even more.

As for transferring records, if your parents are going to draw up new Wills, POA's, etc. no records need to be transferred from the previous attorney. The new attorney can review the old documents and make whatever changes are necessary. Then once the documents are signed, the new attorney will notify the previous attorney that new documents were drawn/signed, thus the previous documents are no longer valid.

I am in the process of getting my parents in with an Elder Law attorney, which they should have done a decade ago, as their current Will is a landmine... it was drawn up by their real estate attorney. It took quite some time to convince my parents they need a specialized attorney for their estate.

Yes my parents DO have a copy (original) of their documents, AND as their DPOA/Executer in my own little safe I also have a copy (originals). They filled out 3 copies and signed them all right their in the office. A few days later they got a whopping bill for nearly a grand.
My issue is #1/ it should not cost that much money just to change a name or add a common sentence or check off a box (or un-check it); for a small subsequent change they wanted to do, I simply typed what they wanted and they had their signatures notarized on the new copies.
BUT, lo and behold, when we sent a slightly Revised copy to the lawyer office, to replace the one that was a few weeks old (but need a very small change), do you know what this (ahem this is my opinion) slimy lawyer did? He charged them $85.00 to read it, note the change, and place it in their File, and to update their digital files.
This kind of crap is what drives me nuts. It just costs too much money to simply DO what the parents want done.....it should never be this way. And I know I seem incredibly biased against lawyers, but, basically, they are too expensive for what they do.
Charging them money just to "file" something. Honestly.

The attorney usually holds the original documents for safekeeping, with copies to the client. There is less risk of loss.

Requesting & getting those documents shouldn't be a problem, I expect. New POA, new approach...

I wish you success in handling your parents' arrangements & needs.

Records? Your parents should have any Will or Trust documents in their possession.
Certainly you can find a new lawyer, but plan on paying billable hours for a thorough review, plus fees for any new Wills, DPOA etc if you can't find the originals. Search fees may also apply.

Yes, they can change their lawyer and will need to since they are nearing retirement anyhow. I think your parents can just pick up their records or a copy of their records for the new lawyer.