How do you handle a sibling trying to take money from mom?

BTW, I don't think alcoholics should be caregivers. What if an emergency arises and they've had too much to drink?

A big question here is if she is competent. If she is competent, then you need to reason with her about wise use of her money. You can talk to her about how Brother needs to work and that she is enabling a lifestyle that was probably brought on by alcohol. If she is like many mothers, she won't listen to you. She'll say that she just can't let her baby boy do without. It is a tough situation that my family went through with my alcoholic brother for all of his life. My mother couldn't tell him no. She probably gave him $100K over the course of his adult life. The rest of us could tell her not to do it. Her husband could tell her he didn't want to do it. But she couldn't not give money. Unless we have some type of control on the money, there is often nothing we can do except to advise. She will see what she is doing as helping him, although it is really just enabling him to not hit bottom and change.

Mimforbestcare, who is Mom's financial Power of Attorney?

If there is no Power of Attorney, get Mom to an Elder Law Attorney immediately to have these legal documents drawn up, as long as Mom can still understand the reason behind having a POA. Also, depending on how old Mom's Will is, it might be time to have that updated in case there are any new State laws.

Now, with a financial Power of Attorney in place, controlling all of Mom's funds, keeping records of bills paid, etc..... then your sister and her husband can't ask Mom for money, they would need to ask the Power of Attorney.

If this turns into a 3-ring circus, the Elder Law Attorney would recommend a CPA to handle the funds, a person who isn't afraid to say no to your sibling and her spouse. But remember, the CPA would be changing an hourly fee to handle the funds.