The elderly gentleman is of sound mind but the power of attorney/eldest son seems to be trying to take total control. Changing the address on all his bank accounts so he won't receive a statement, not telling the rest of the family anything even when asked, letting his bills go unpaid....As POA, how far can he go?
As others have asked, what is your relationship to the gentleman? How do you know bills are going unpaid? What are the terms of the POA as to durability or springing, or disclosure obligations to others?
Yes, there are plenty of examples out in the world of an attorney-in-fact under a POA abusing their position and self-dealing. But there are plenty of us out there that are acting appropriately, and dealing with others who question every decision made or action taken. Plenty of us have POAs where others are insisting the person we are trying to do our best for has capacity and should be able to handle their own affairs, while that simply may not be true.
I think more information about the situation and your relationship to the gentleman is needed.
A POA has a duty NOT to divulge financial information about the person they are acting for. While my mom gave all three of us kids the right to make healthcare decisions for her, she gave financial POA to one of my brother's solely, and I never had any idea about how much mom had in they way of funds or income.
I have to say, it was much better that way. While mom wasn't on Medicaid, I had no idea how much was in the estate and assumed that it was very little, so there was never any question that we were making health care decisions based on thoughts of an inheritance.
BB is of course correct: if the gentleman is of sound mind he is free to appoint someone else to act for him. But before you encourage him to do this, I should do a bit more digging to find out what exactly has gone on. It may be a case of teething troubles while the POA son gets to grips with what needs doing.
Is this your own family, or are you a friend or neighbour taking a concerned interest?
How do you know bills go unpaid?