Can I repay myself as POA for their bills/debts I paid?
I recently became POA/MPOA for my elderly relatives. The money that I am using to pay their bills is in an account in only my name, under my sole jurisdiction. They asked me to accept a decent sum of their money and use it only on their behalf, and I agreed and have acted honorably.
I have incurred a vast number of bills for them recently, some of which I had to pay from my own personal checking account because I didn't have the card linked to "their" money with me, or because it exceeded the amount that I had in that accout at the time of the transaction. I moved them into a much nicer place in my state, for example, and had to give the movers $500 cash, which I took from my own savings.
Is there anything legally wrong with writing myself a check now for $500 to repay myself? I'm keeping good records, but I'm the only person on the planet who is their heir, or who will take care of them in any way. (Long story) That means I'm also the only person on the planet who could contest the way I'm spending their money (all on them!)
Help!
3 Answers
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OMG, is that right?
You need to have an organized system to deal with both their finances and medical issues AND be set up legally to do whatever is needed both now and for the long view. Imho there are some things you can do, like go with each of them to open on their own a new checking / bank accounts that you are a signatory on and that gets their SS$ and any other monthly income; and all 5 are at the same bank. But as others have posted, this really isn’t a DIY, you need to find a elder law atty. I’d also have the atty suggest a geriatric social worker to work with you to establish organization on each. 5! that’s beyond herding ferrets.
Please please realize that UNLESS they all are very, very exceptionally well off, like they each have $300-350k assets, the probability is that they are going to need a higher level of care and oversight beyond what you can do and they are going to need to apply for LTC Medicaid in their future. And that means a detailed 5 yr look back on their financials. Like 5 years of bank & financial statements, life insurance policies, documentation on homes & cars sold. It’s going to be beast to unthread $ if there’s paperwork MIA or reinbursements paid off & on, cash paid for stuff, receipts not gotten... Medicaid is not going to give you loads of time to provide info either; it’s more like details & documents needed within 72 hrs.
Please find elder law attorney ASAP. Each of the elders pays for their own costs related to the atty, etc. too, Good luck.
I certainly HOPE not.
You and your relatives should go together to open accounts tomorrow; the bank managers will be an enormous help to you in setting up accounts and explaining things to you.
The internet is also just full of good information on how to serve as POA; the government has free literature on being POA as well. There are books on Amazon explaining all about how to fulfill your duties as POA.