My Mother-in-law passed away a few years ago. Since then a neighbor in her 30's has "befriended" him out of giving her money every month. She even got him to let her stay at his house for a couple of months when she was kicked out of her home. I finally got her out when she was found to be stealing from him while he was in the hospital. We told very clearly to stay away and not call him. That worked for about 7 weeks now she is calling him again. She is leading him on and manipulating him out of his money. I want to protect him. I love him and want him safe and happy. Any ideas of what I can do?
Adults are supposed to take care of themselves, except in emergencies. I am dealing right now with a friend who gets around this by keeping herself and her family in a continual state of crises - car out of commission - broke my finger and no money for meds - special needs child had a fainting spell or terrible pain so had to go to the ER and miss the job interview (ER finds absolutely nothing wrong) - had the job interview all set up but no money for gas - on and on and on, always to get money or favors of some kind. This neighbor will be a leech as long as she can get away with it. If you do not take firm action, it could get worse, much worse. Just look around on here for the stories about someone being able to convince an elderly loved one and then the authorties that the family is not doing right...and then sucking them dry and/or claiming all the inheritance while the family stands by helpless.
Getting him to make you DPOA now does not mean you start using that power while he is competent, but it does offer at least a little protection in that if he is ever not competent it cannot be legally changed as long as DPOA duties are being handled faithfully. Not that it will stop some people from forging documents or otherwise getting it changed inappropriately...it is not like a light swtich one day someone is competent and has enough judgement not to do something stupid and fall prey to a victimizer, and the next they could be talked into anything on the slightest suggestion and are ready for guardianship proceedings. I hope you can get Dad to realize how dangerous people like this can actually be and get the restraining order or take the most serious steps you can justify to keep her out of your lives.
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