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Actually it’s not at all uncommon for banks and financial institutions to refuse to accept a POA. And a POA isn’t just for someone who is incapacitated and unable to handle their finances. Unless springing, a POA goes in to affect the moment it is signed and can be used when the person is still completely competent. I wouldn’t be alarmed by the banker asking if your mother is dead either. It’s a valid question. Sounds like she wanted to make sure your mother was still living.
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Doggomom Dec 2019
That really wasn’t her tone when she asked me if she were deceased. It was more suspicious and accusatory. I should have mentioned in my question that I had already been through this with her main bank, her healthcare providers, utilities, insurance companies, credit cards, the DMV and pension and no one responded like this. Most had additional forms for me to complete or additional steps to take, but no one opened up the discussion by asking me outright if she had died, or demanding that she come and, I don’t know, prove her incapacity. If anything the forms included a certification that she was still alive, and that was never the first words out of their mouths.
What does one do when the bank refuses? Just not take care of the person’s business at their whim?
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No, your mother does not have to be there. In fact, were she able to do her own banking work you likely wouldn't have to be serving as POA.
Yes, you must ABSOLUTELY have the originals with you. And never leave them out of your sight (for instance on a plane do not check them through).
A copy is NOT sufficient. Do also know that if this account is held in several names and if this is a trust account the POA will not be sufficient. When they question your POA be certain that you acknowledge that they are attempting to protect your Mother against nefarious actors. When I got POA and Trustee of Trust for my brother I was VERY scrutinized. They were acting in his interest. I am hoping you had this done with a Lawyer and all original papers are in order. Be certain to set up an appointment with the bank officer, not a regular teller.
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Doggomom Dec 2019
Maybe I wasn’t clear enough in my question. The original papers are not something I got off a website; they were prepared and executed by a lawyer, who holds the originals. I have no problem producing them if it is necessary, (no other entity I have done this with asked for them; they accepted copies or an email of the originals), I just came to doubt that after the conversation began on an adversarial tone. Also, I am not clear why you thought this was a teller; this was one of two senior bankers who were both present (I had made an appointment with the other one, who remained with her back to me, checking her email, while this was happening.)
I also never said anything about the account being held in trust or being held in several names. It is her name only with a TOD designated—which is me, alone. I understand and appreciate the extra scrutiny—as I said above in a further answer, I underwent that with every other entity I have dealt with, just no one else seemed to assume the worst and look for a way to deny it.
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