We live in TX. My stepmom has POA of my father & been married for 25+ yrs. She is sig younger & has a lot to inherit financially. That being said, does she have the right to restrict our access to him in his last days? I’ve already had to call protection services to do spot checks & had to fly up when she left him alone wo care in the house for 3 wks. He’s been hospitalized twice in past months which we weren’t told about until later & recently I found him in the ICU alone & went to stay w him. Now he’s at the rehab & she’s restricted all calls, med info & updates. What rights do I have to him as his daughter?
Add to that the background history - you contacted APS about safeguarding because she was away, you implicitly condemn her for not staying in ICU round the clock - and it isn't surprising that your stepmother, whose husband is dying and who is therefore not likely to be in a generous or tolerant mood, is not going to move mountains to have you included.
It isn't you who have rights, it is your father. He can choose to request visits and/or calls from whomever he pleases, including people his wife doesn't like; but if he doesn't do so there is not much to be done.
If you want to see or speak to him before he passes away, you will have to do it through your stepmother.
Will you be able to travel to see him or are you having to negotiate all of this from Tx?