My mother was declared incompetent after having a stroke but has since recovered so much so that she can complete crossword puzzles and play Wordle. The problem is she is paralyzed on one side and cannot walk or write since her right arm is useless. How can she gain control over her own accounts since the POA paperwork has been submitted to the banks. One bank told us that since she cannot walk in to sign documents that the POA has to approve everything. She wants the POA to stay in case of future needs but how can she control her own accounts now?
If the POA refuses to do so then she is taken to (and transport isn't an issue these days even with one-sided or complete paralysis) to an attorney where the POA is withdrawn, and another POA assigned.
The attorney can in fact visit her in her home.
Then the new POA is to go then to the banks with the former POA's withdrawal document, and new paperwork to change the accounts to the assigned NEW POA.
She should also demand paperwork monthly; the POA must keep meticulous records and files of all bill paying, all account activity and the monthly status of the accounts in ANY case so those should be easily available . I did this as Trustee and POA for my brother. He kept monthly accounts records in a looseleaf binder so he could look at his account records any day he wished to; it was a comfort to him. He had at his fingertips exact records of time and date of every single penny into and out of his accounts.
There is also online banking and that can be accessed to reassure her.
There are any number of ways to be assured the POA is acting AT THE DIRECTION of the PRINCIPAL. Simply get the principal, the POA, and yourself together now and decide the best way forward. If the principal wishes a NEW POA appointed it is as simple as an attorney visiting the household and assessing her for ability to make these changes.
If all the bank is requestingvis that they see her, can't you take her in by wheelchair? She can also have the POA revoked.
"Incapacitated" can also mean physically incapacitated, not just cognitively. Banks all vary is what they demand in terms of PoA. My Aunt had 3 different banks in south FL: PNC insisted I bring my 100+ yr old Aunt into the bank to activate my PoA. Wells Fargo told me to just bring in myself, my ID and the paperwork (since I had been a long-time WF customer perhaps); and BMO (required me to bring in my Aunt's ID).
I would think your Mom will need a letter from her doctor who gives her a new cognitive and memory exam, then puts the diagnosis in her medical records and on clinic letterhead signed by the doc. She should print this out plus have a digital copy.
If she is physically incapacitated she will still need the help of a PoA. I don't think she can get around the bank's requirement, they don't make exceptions.