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So my mom is in the hospital and about to be transferred to a nursing home. She is bedridden and having trouble with writing (her hand shakes). I called her investment company because she is required to take an RMD for 2024 and will possibly already face a 25% penalty for being late. The company wants her to SIGN and get notarized a form for releasing her RMD. I have a POA, but that's no good, according to the company we have to have another form filed with me as the full access agent (signed and notarized). UGH. Any suggestions?

There is usually a notary at the nursing home that will be available to sign. Ask the social worker at the facility. Unfortunately the penalty may not be able to be waived.

Have you retained an eldercare attorney. Highly recommended since there are assets and income that will most likely need to reviewed.
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Reply to AMZebbC
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Even with a shaky hand she should be able to sign the document and the person notarizing the document is the one that is verifying that it is your mom that has signed the paperwork.
there should be a notary at the hospital.
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Reply to Grandma1954
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AMZebbC Jan 3, 2025
Unfortunately this occured with my uncle and his stock than needed to be surrendered. They rejected his signature due to bieng "not legible".
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I've used an online notary before. They were based in Florida, 24/7 service. As for the legality, it was my lawyer's paralegal in a Florida real estate transaction who recommended it due to time zone difference and urgency. Check it out; it might work for mom.
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Reply to Fawnby
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The point of a notary is to confirm her ID, not whether her signature is perfect. I would call the investment company and make sure that if all she can do is make an "X" in front of the notary, that this is acceptable. If they say no, then you ask them how can they solve this problem if she can't physically sign? I'm sure she's not the first elder to have this challenge. Maybe offer to video the entire signing in front of the notary (if the notary consents). They will come up with a solution if you insist upon it.

My Aunt's investment company needed her and me to fill out and sign affidavits. I kept telling them she's in FL and I'm in MN and she's 105 yrs old and running out of money so I need to access the measly amount in her account to pay her living expenses and caregiving. They initially were requiring a "Medallion" stamp and it turns out that the only banking insitution in my state that offered this stopped doing so 3 years ago. So then I put the burden back on them to solve this undeniably intractable problem and they relented, only requiring my PoA paperwork.
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Reply to Geaton777
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You can call a mobile notary who will come to wherever your mother is to witness her signature. As long as your mother is mentally competent, the quality of her handwriting shouldn't matter.
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Yes, don't know how long you are dealing with POA, but it is very difficult because EACH entity wants something else or something other. I always caution people to get a SOLID written-in-blood POA done by a GREAT ATTORNEY because mine was iron clad and I could manage everything with it. But not without difficulty.
And TRUST stuff is for Trustees, Representative Payee needed for SS, and each bank will be a stickler for details and their own way of wanting things done.

WORST OF ALL in my humble opinion was the multiple hoops required from any investment firms. My heart goes out to all dealing with this, and after managing all this for my brother I quickly resigned my Trustee of Trust involving my partner and had him reassign to someone else. I never want to go through that again. I do have his POA while he is living, and will negotiate that to my best should he ever require my care as his Domestic Partner under the laws of the State of California, but that's it.

I found it very difficult. Find out what they need exactly and how you can possibly get it to them but while Mom is able be certain her POA is reviewed and is WELL WRITTEN, includes rights to sales of homes and etc. And get them exactly what they need if you are able or you are well and thoroughly SUNK.

I wish you the best. As I said, they are all different and they have all devised the most painful hoops they can.
In their defense I do understand they are doing all in their power to protect their clients. Having yesterday listened to a Podcast in which one woman, girl child of three girl children, attempted to wire transfer 1/2 million of her mom's funds pretending to BE the mom, and then killed the mom and another sister when that didn't work--guess they are right to worry?
But lordy, they will tire you out. I sure wish you the best.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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theresa0711 Jan 3, 2025
Thank you. There is no notary in the hospital, so we'll have to wait until she gets transferred to the nursing home, where there is a notary. The signature, her signature, is another hoop to jump through. The last time we had to fill out a form for this same company they denied the validity of the form because of her inability to sign the way she used to sign. The POA was done by a reputable attorney. I'm just trying to navigate all this.
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