I sign all of my mother’s release forms, etc... however, the forms say that a legal spouse or legal caregiver are the only ones who can sign, and I technically don’t have any legal right to her.
I’ve looked through the older forums and haven’t found an answer.
Am I okay signing her forms? I’ve asked her and she assures me she won’t sue or argue any form with my signature, but I worry that the hospitals and clinics will eventually bring it up.
Any advice or previous experience?
Thanks!
How hard is it to do POA as a daughter? Probably worth it later.
If your mom is still competent, she can appoint you to be POA when she can't make decisions for herself. When you activate the power of attorney and want to sign for her there is a way to make sure you aren't agreeing to the contract yourself. Sign her name, and then the word 'by' and then your name, and the words 'power of attorney'.
If the nursing home stood there and watched you sign your mother's name on all the forms I would doubt the accuracy of their other records are...like for staffing, drugs and care provided.
My dad refuses to make me POA. I can’t reason with him. He doesn’t understand what POA does so even though he can pay for care for my mom but what if he dies suddenly? The money is in the bank but I can’t access it.
We learn something every day.
Can you get your dad to set up bills like the assisted living account to be paid automatically? That way, if he died suddenly, you would have some time to straighten out access to the money.
Also, if your mom is still legally competent would she allow you to be the successor power of attorney for her if your dad was unable to do it? If he died, she would inherit the money and as her power of attorney, you would be able to pay bills for her.
A power of attorney for anyone does not go into effect until an event happens that causes someone not to be able to make decisions for themselves. Maybe your dad doesn't completely understand that. Appointing you as his power of attorney gives you NO powers until he can't make decisions on his own behalf.