I was POA and caregiver for both parents. Dad passed. Day of funeral the plan took place to have me removed by poisoning mother against me and had me leave. They changed all legal docs including will, after which they began removing the most valuable items which were to be divided equally in the will between the six children. Mother had documented dementia at the time of admittance to the nursing home. They say she is competent. They took away the car my parents gave me, they changed all legal documents except insurance on home owners and auto. They changed the will and then cleaned out the 1200sq. ft garage of vehicles, tools, garden tractor, freezer etc. When I found later that I was still liable on both polices I canceled them. These policies were then reinstated 5 times in 54 days in my name. Even the auto which had been impounded was picked up by non family member with insurance in my name which had been canceled twice in less than a month. My self and 2 sisters are blocked from contact or knowledge of our mother. She will soon be 90. She has been documented with dementia by 2 doctors. She will not speak to us after much emotional abuse and isolation. This is all about one family member wanting the property and house without having to pay market value.
Our mother has numerous physical problems which are not being fully addressed. I suspect some Identity theft is involved with her insurance through the nursing home. I have turned in complaints to the AL AG and the ALDOI for insurance fraud and identity theft. I have submitted grievances to Ombudsman in Mobile, AL for neglect. Their reaction is that this is a civil "domestic family issue". I get stonewalled everywhere I turn. No one responds. I have hard copy documentation for all of this.
Because of HIPPA we have no knowledge of our mother's health status as the medical POA has us blocked. She has serious medical conditions. A non family member substitutes as POA overseeing care and even attending care plan meetings but WE her daughters cannot see her. The NH was told of the medical and financial and ID theft and now doesn't return calls.
I live in TN and mother is in AL. I don't where else to turn to keep this situation from spiraling more out of control. I can't afford more legal. Sister and I did see an atty but all we got was a $550 consultation fee with no help at all.
Do we have any Social Services help available to get the gold diggers from destroying everything?
Jeannegibbs is right. Contact APS. They will investigate any reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation on any older adult and will respond within about 10 days. I know this because my husband and I had to call a couple times for my husband's mentally ill cousin and Aunt. A caregiver committed fraud against his Aunt and was taking advantage of both.
As for the Fraud, contact the police department and try to make a report. Every county police department should have a fraud division. So even try to talk to a Fraud detective/investigator. If they are hard to get a hold of, they are probably pretty busy but just bug them until you get a response back.
As for the POA and other legal documents that seem to have been modified by your unkind siblings, I would also suggest trying to talk to another or several lawyers because these new documents could be questionable considering the fact that your mom has documented Alzheimers. I know that lawyers are expensive so try the Legal Aid Society or a Pro Bono Lawyer. For Pro Bono Lawyers, go to your local county clerk and they should have a list of Pro Bono Lawyers or even google them on the internet for Lawyers in your area.
Good Luck! And, remember GOOD ALWAYS PREVAILS IN THE END!! God Bless you and I will keep you in my prayers. ;-)
APS - can only help by removing your mother from a harmful (physical, emotional, financial) situation. There are not there to assist you. I have been dealing with them for a year now. They have no authority or jurisdiction regarding other matters example POA. They can't even force issues to probate. On the up side, they have to investigate every single complaint or allegation.
Police: Will tell you it is a civil / probate issue. I ended up getting a criminal trespass warning against my sister and her husband to keep them away from me.
Here's where there is hope: Probate Court. Petition probate for guardianship and conservatorship (even if you are out of state, AL will probably appoint a state rep considering so much dissension is present.) THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT: GET PROBATE TO DECLARE HER INCOMPETENT ONCE YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE GETS CONTROL. I'm surprised the siblings haven't done it yet - it's really hard to reverse once a probate judge has ruled, having 2 independent doctors say she's incompetent in probate is all it takes here/GA. Make sure you know the legal definition and test for incompetency. My mother is in stage 6 dementia with zero short term memory and still does not meet the definition.
Medical/HIPPA - No way around it except: Most compassionate nursing home employees will provide scraps of information as long as they know they won't be caught. Better yet, find a relative of another patient who visits often... they can be your eyes and ears, worked great with my grandmother when I was out of state.
Best of luck - sorry you have to go through this - I never believed the stories about feuding families, until ours became one.
Prayers are with you -
JfromGa
Your father's estate will have to be probated first, assets are likely frozen until that happens. Bear in mind the NH may claim part of the estate. Be thankful you are not the executor, because sorting this out will take a judge.
See All Answers