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Bipolardad741 Asked February 2023

What if my parent went to an attorney and made me POA and I don’t want that responsibility?

My dad has mental illness and is mentally abusive and it’s just not in my best interest to be around him. This has been going on my entire life. He’s 78 and gets around very well. He’s just crazy and I cannot handle it.
what are my legal responsibilities with being POA. I don’t want this.

AlvaDeer Feb 2023
You do not have to accept POA. If you are legally notified that you are POA go to an attorney and write a resignation letter. Do NOT TAKE ON this duty or in the case of an incompetent person it will be more difficult to resign when you are in the middle of it. You needn't accept POA, Guardianship, Conservatorship or Executor over anything. The court will them appoint a fiduciary if no other family member wants to serve, and the person will become a ward of the state.
Do know that this document being around, unknown to anyone, doesn't much matter until someone fishes it out of a drawer. Then you can say you refuse to serve.

Bipolardad741 Feb 2023
I’m just shocked he was allowed to do this without my consent!!
casole Feb 2023
Hi there,

Consent doesn't need to be given to be appointed as POA. However as others have pointed out one needs to accept the appointment. You will simply decline to serve. Most documents will name a successor in the event the appointed person is unwilling or unable to serve.

As to what your responsibilities as POA would be managing finances if he is unable, signing documents, and potentially making health care decisions if you are also named as health proxy.

Good for you for recognizing its not healthy for you to be around him and nipping that in the bud. And don't let anyone pressure you later with "but there's no one else"... There's always someone else even if that person is appointed by the state..

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ZippyZee Feb 2023
Refuse. They can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to.

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