He is in denial and forgetting to pay bills at this point. My mom (spouse) is not on the liquid bank accounts. How do we get my mom (spouse) added to the bank account so she can pay the utilities? He is belligerent and controlling and won't let her help. Does she automatically have rights as a spouse? Please help!
She needs an appointment with a certified elder attorney to find out how she is protected by the laws of her state. Community property and all that.
Does dad have credit cards? How does mom buy groceries? Does he give her cash? She can take that money and use it for utilities and tell him she needs more for groceries. Whatever will work with him.
She will be under tremendous stress dealing with him and trying to figure out how to “keep the lights on”.
This will of course create other problems.
My MIL was on the bank accounts etc but was so hesitant to pay a bill when FIL was in the hospital for months that it was exasperating. Long term conditioning had taught her to not interfere. We finally got her to sign the checks if someone else filled them out. So I’m thinking your mom might not just accept that your dad can no longer be in charge of finances. If this is completely out of the question for her I think you will have to try for guardianship. I would see a qualified elder attorney.
If your Dad feels he can only be in control of the checking account there isn't much you can do. Does Dad have a financial Power of Attorney? Is it you, or someone else? If someone else, maybe that person could talk to Dad. There are times when our parents won't listen to us because we are just the kids, and what do we know :P
I had an issue with my Dad throwing out his bills thinking they were junk mail :0
Lololol-"till the emperor has no clothes". That's great Shaking!