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Bshandy Asked May 2020

Executor changing the Will?

My sister is the executrix and POA for Dad, who is 93 and Mom, who is 89. Both have several health problems and various stages of dementia. We were a large family of seven children, but we have lost three of us in the last decade. One of my brothers has been particularly troublesome to us with my Mom's finances, she's always paying his mortgage and giving him money and her household items whenever he asks, even though my mom has been worried about her finances. Their house is payed for and they are getting worse by the day and will not sell the house and go into Assisted living. Things have been hard on their caregivers, (my sister and I) and it's hard to see their assets siphoned off by my do-nothing brother. If we can get proof of what is happening, can his part of the will be adjusted for what he has already taken?
Thanks, Barb

CTTN55 May 2020
If you and your sister are their caregivers, what's going to happen when they need more and more help? Are you or your sister going to take them in? Are you or your sister going to move in with them to become their fulltime caregivers?

This gifting to your brother will be a problem if Medicaid eligibility becomes necessary.

Hey, I have an idea...have your brother do the caregiving instead of you and your sister! And if/when they need it, have HIM move in with them or take them into HIS home.

You and your sister are on the way to total enslavement if the POA sister doesn't get this under control. (Is the POA sister the one who shares caregiving with you?)

Geaton777 May 2020
"Their house is payed for and they are getting worse by the day and will not sell the house and go into Assisted living. Things have been hard on their caregivers, (my sister and I)..."

Bshandy, this is a very common dilemma for adult children. I think you and siblings need to do some research and have an informed discussion about the reality of your parents assuming everyone will orbit around them providing care while your family crumples under the pressures of that non-stop undertaking. It doesn't make you bad or unloving people.

If I were in your situation and I am willing to be an (uncompensated?) and full-time (eventually) caregiver to my parents and their poor decisions now will definitely impact my ability (and therefore willingness) to carry out that caregiving in the least stressful way possible, it sort of IS my business what they are doing with their money today. Because eventually the train wreck will land on the doorstep of the family caregivers when your folks are broke, and need a lot care in their home.

If your parents are mentally competent, it might be beneficial to have a consult with an elder law attorney who has experience in estate planning/financial abuse. Maybe if your parents hear what dire consequences could befall them -- and their unnecessarily stressed out -- caregivers, they will act to protect their funds better. Maybe the PoA sister doesn't mention the mooching brother in the meeting, but a discussion about Medicaid qualification may be fruitful. They need to be informed that, even if their desire is to age-in-place with willing family caregivers, they may very likely need additional agency helpers, and that can be very expensive. Your sister and siblings need to really look at what caregiving for them in the near future could mean: is everyone willing to orbit around 2 people who will require more help than is possible by just family? It is emotionally, physically, mentally and, sometimes even financially, taxing. Many on this site can tell you their tales of their experiences. Please go into it as informed as possible, with your eyes wide open. I wish you all the best as you try to help them!
Bshandy May 2020
We are uncompensated but that is not our issue. My poa sister works full time and cares on the weekends and I, on disability for my back and fibromyalgia goes there and stays the night, takes both of them for appointments and helps with shopping as much as I can stand. My niece lives with them, but works two jobs. She cleans and does shopping, too. My brother goes over there every weekend and expects my mom to buy dinner or make dinner. He barely does anything to help them. I had to call him and tell him not to expect her to cook for him, she's too old. My mom has her heels dug in to die in that house. She won't even discuss assisted living and God forbid, EVER a nursing home. She is very fiesty and has to be in total control. My poor dad, 92, is just wanting peace and quiet, but he needs constant supervision because he tends to wander and is very stubborn. We told him not to mess with the trash barrels but he was out there doing it and the wind took it and he fell against the curb and split his head open. I have an autistic son at home and I have my own household to deal with but mom thinks the whole world revolves around her and we should be glad to take care of them and I do want to help them...but it is all SO out of hand and I know it's only going to get worse. It is a thankless job, and my sister and I are not the favered ones, believe me!

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Countrymouse May 2020
Can his part of the will be adjusted...

"Adjusted" By Whom?

By your father and your mother, individually, if their respective dementias are not too advanced, yes.

By anyone else, no.

Your sister, if she is exercising her POA and your parents are deemed to be mentally incompetent, is responsible for what happens to their money meanwhile. If your mother is not incompetent, she must at least keep track of where the money is going and she must be made aware that if she continues to give your brother money she may render herself ineligible for Medicaid and in serious trouble if she then can't afford to pay for healthcare.

So - who is addressing this issue with your brother? Anyone?
Isthisrealyreal May 2020
Actually CM you are not responsible in the USA, unless a court of law has deemed them incompetent. It is a terrible situation for POAs to be in, but they can not stop a person from spending their money how they want. (SSA representative payee is the exception to this. )

They can however stop providing free services that allow the elderly person to believe that they have it to give away. Make them hire the care required.
gladimhere May 2020
No. Only the folks can change their wills and only if they are competent. Folks need to stop making monetary gifts to bro, POA may be able to control that. Those monetary gifts will make them ineligible to receive Medicaid, when and if needed, until all gifts in the past five years have been repaid. Time for POA to take control over the situation, but if folks would still be considered competent, they have the right to make their own bad decisions.

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