Only living Daughter (from another state) hasn't seen her in 8 years. Coming to see her and wants to retrieve pics, personal effects, etc. Aunt has 3 grandchildren from a deceased daughter. They want nothing. Attorney says no one is legally allowed to be in the house until Aunt dies. As POA can I let daughter in and allow her to take what she wants? Nobody else wants it.
Even though your Aunt's Daughter hadn't come to visit, did she telephone Mom on a regular basis, sent cards and letters? And sometimes family dysfunction can play a role.
Life just happens to get in the way making it hard to travel. Flying isn't that easy since 2009, and as we age it now becomes so very exhausting.
I agree with the other's above about letting your Aunt's Daughter come in to get the items she wants, as long as the three grandchildren are 100% sure they don't want anything from their Grandmother.
I hadn't seen my late maternal Grandparents in many decades when they are alive, but I sent a lot of cards... couldn't talk on the telephone because my Grandparents spoke another language that I never learned and their English was limited.... [sigh].
8 years, now wants things from the house? Sounds fishy and it sounds like she wants to get what she wants and be done with her mom. I would not let her rummage and remove items, be present and catalogue every item along with photos to protect your back, as POA you have all the responsibility, be it good or bad. You obviously felt something amiss and that is why you contacted the attorney. Listen to your instincts on this one. As another poster stated, things change when someone passes.
That's another reason not to release anything now. A lot can change after someone dies, and items become more sentimental.
While I haven't checked my DPOA language recently, I think the issue might be that the proxy may have authority to ensure integrity of the assets, and preventing others from coming into the house would be aspect of that obligation.
If you really want to give her the items she wants, find them yourself and give him to her, outside of the home. That way you can accommodate her wishes but still preserve the integrity of anything else in the home.
I would be more than suspect, however, since this relative apparently hasn't bothered to keep in touch until she now wants something. In fact, if it were me, I wouldn't give away anything now unless your aunt specifically agrees to it.
Please clarify your situation for me. Thanks.