I need help. I finally got dad to let me be his dpoa. I have been paying his bills and other financial things ( talk to soc sec, retirement, irs etc )for him since December but was never comfortable doing so. The poa was to protect me and also him and also keep my brother and others from getting into his acct. I would also like to take a monthly fee of $150 since I am at his home 4 to 5 days a week 9 to 12 hrs a day cleaning ( my brother and his family live there and they are dirty so I have to clean daily ) taking him on errands, dealing with finacial stuff and General care giving for him and i feel this is not a lot to ask but not sure how to go about that. I kno he would tell me no even tho he initialed on the poa paperwork i would get compensation. Do I just go to the bank each month and take out $150 for myself? Do i need to write a check for that? Get his permission? How does it work? I also have paid for things out of pocket for him quite alot and just paid over $300 for his dog at the vet ( i could not let her suffer ). Hes not rich but he is also not broke and could very well pay for stuff he just doesnt like to. My question is can i get a debit card for me on his acct as poa to use to pay for things on hid behalf? Or have the bank make a extra bank acct in his name so I can transfer money into monthly to use for things he needs? ( clothes, toiletries, animal care etc? ) Or can I link my bank acct to his and do external transfers to reimburse myself for things he needs but won't let me use his debit card for? . I cant keep affording to pay for things im on a fixed income now. But I dont kno how to have access to his money to do all this and I dont want to get in trouble. Can anyone let me know what I am supposed to do. Like what are the rules or steps etc. Sorry I am not wording this right but hopefully someone will understand it. Im a bit confused with the rules.
I am in washington state and the durable power of attorney was signed and notarized at his credit union so its on file there.
Thank you all in advance
As for compensation, I am really surprised the Attorney who drew up that Power of Attorney didn't include the dollar amount on the document, otherwise any amount could be taken and questioned after the fact.
As for the questions you asked, it would be best to connect the Attorney you used for the legal documents. It is always best to use an Attorney who specializes in the field of Elder Law, as they are up-to-date on State law changes for POA's and Wills.
In my own family's experience, every banking institution requires that the parties submit to their own PoA protocol in order for them to operate jointly and as PoA -- even if you have existing, legally created FPoA paperwork already. BUT, I don't know if your FPoA extends outside of the bank/CU... if you don't have an original, notarized copy of the paperwork to show at his doctor's office or at any other investment entity, then you may have a problem managing his affairs outside of his CU. You may only be the Financial PoA and only for that specific CU. If I were in your shoes, I'd consult with an elder law attorney.
You should *never* be paying for anything that relates to him or his care out of your own pocket. Never. He saved money "for his old age" and now he is beginning to need it. You *must* keep a very clear "paper trail" of what you are charging him for and being reimbursed for. Keep receipts, make very detailed notes. If you don't do this then your other sibling can accuse you of financial abuse and he'd probably win in court.
I drew up the poa. Its a washington power of attorney paperwork i printed out and we took to the bank to have signed and notarized. I do have a copy. If i went to an attorney what are things i would need to ask them? I dont have alot of money so cant afford in going lawyer bills.