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My brother has also taken over my mom's money and now hides it from me. What gives him the right, even as an executor, to remove our mom without discussing it with me first? Now I’m in financial distress, and I miss my Mom so much.

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Might be time for you to reinvent yourself, get you back on your feet. If your mother is being properly cared for I wouldn't be concerned, visit your mother and enjoy being her daughter rather than caregiver.
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Reply to MeDolly
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Sheri,

It’s very hard to be the primary caregiver. Having disabilities makes it even harder.

It was kind of your brother and SIL to care for your mom when you got sick.

Do you visit your mom at your brother’s house or do they visit you in your house?

I understand that you miss your mom.

Is it possible that your brother feels like it’s best for you and your mom if he cares for her? It’s important for you to care for your own needs.

In your response below, you state that you are interested in seeing your mother’s will. Why is this important to you? Your mother’s money should be spent primarily on her care.

Can you look into finding resources to help you get through your financial situation?

I hope that you and your brother will be able to resolve your issues. Wishing you and your family all the best.
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Reply to NeedHelpWithMom
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I get that you only have Medical POA that usually only comes into effect when a Dr declares the person incompetent to make informed decisions. So if Mom is competent its not even in play at this point.

If your brother is Primary financial POA, he cannot supply you with copies of Moms Will or Trust. POAs are not and should not be privy to this info. And if they are, are not allowed to give out that info. Their responsibiliy is Mom. If she did not see fit to share this info, then a FPOA can't either.

At Moms passing all POAs are no longer in effect. Responsibilty for the estate is the Executor's. The Executor files the Will with Probate. Probate then makes it public. If ur a beneficiary, the Executor is obligated to send you a letter saying the the Will is now in probate and public. They can either include a copy with the letter or "will send a copy upon request".

The Trust was done to bypass Probate. The Trustee may not be the Executor. Thats another kettle of fish and I don't know how it is handled upon death.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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if you read these Posts on here this scenario Plays out a lot . Someone just grabs a Ill Parent and takes control and doesnt speak to the primary caregiver about this decision . It seems quite Unfair . For now Look Into Food stamps , a Food bank , help with utilities for Low income people , Pay your Bills and take care of yourself . You do have the right to do a wellness check with the Police , You do have the right to report this to APS and tell them what Happened - is he allowing you to speak with her ? You Can ask for Visits . Try Mediation although Both parties have to agree to meet up . For Now take care of yourself . Your brother may Not Know what he is in for . My sister Kidnapped My father out of our House In Boston and Brought him to California - Told the Boston Police they were taking a trip to Hawaii . the Police called a couple days Later she Lied again and said " he Lives with her every winter . " More Lies . She told me to come to California to Pick him up and then got a restraining Order out against me . primary Motivation = MONEY . it is Ugly behavior but if they think they can get away with it they will . if you live in the same state you could file for conservatorship and get that ball rolling . Courts and Lawyers cost Money - I spent $15,000 . Sorry your Brother is a d*ck and I do Hope APS Can help you with visits with your Mother . You have that right .
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Reply to KNance72
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Thanks for your opinion but you obviously don't know my brother. Yes, I cared for my Mom for 6 years. Yes after 6 years I was so burned out both emotionally and physically so my brother suggested he and his wife take my Mom for a few weeks. Well two weeks in I asked him when was Mom coming in and can we make a plan to share custody. He said "btw, I took Mom and she's living here now.

I don't feel sorry for myself, however, I did everything for 6 years, meaning both Executor, and me. I was doing that at handling all the bills and other banking. I'm Agent two, which is all the medical side, plus pay all the bills etc. We shared food, and everything and now my brother has taken away my ability to barely able to buy too many groceries.
No, I don't depend on my Mom for money. But things are really hard . The hardest part was when he took my Mom to his house, and its like getting a bandaid ripped off. Same with our dog.

And yes, I have a great social worker, and I can get legal aid. You pointed out some good things. My main concern is that I, since 2019 Ive been asking for my copy of the will and trust. To this day he still hasn't. I don't want to have to file a petition to get a copy. I despise family drama. Anyways, sorry I wrote so much lol.

At first I was a bit pissed when I started reading your reply, but then I re-read it and your right about most everything. Thanks so much.
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Reply to Sheri6185
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Geaton777 Mar 30, 2024
Your Mom is still alive so the Executorship is not yet active, the Executor deals with whatever your Mom has in her Will once she passes.

When you say you are "Agent two" does this mean your are a co-PoA with your brother, or an alternate? Do you have both MPoA and FPoA? Are you a trustee? If you're not a trustee you don't legally get to have a copy of the trust. Same if you're not PoA.

The one way to get copies of those docs is to have an elder law attorney send him a letter requesting copies and if he doesn't then it goes to a judge.

You wrote "We shared food, and everything and now my brother has taken away my ability to barely able to buy too many groceries. No, I don't depend on my Mom for money. But things are really hard . "

Sure sounds like you were relying on her income to some degree...
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You say in your profile that your mother has dementia, and that you care for her despite yourself being on disability for many autoimmune disorders.

Do know that Executors have nothing to do with this as they only serve AFTER THE DEATH of the loved one.
Your brother may, however, also be the POA if your mother was competent to appoint him as such. In all this time I think you were not her POA; with dementia now she may be unable to appoint a POA, as POA serves by request during the LIFE of the principal. The principal must be competent to appoint the POA. Dementia doesn't preclude this if the person understands what a POA is and how they function.

You say you are in financial distress because your mother is gone.
Does this mean that you were dependent upon your mother for housing, for support, or for other things? Are you living in your mother's home or was she living in your home?
Did you and your mother have a care contract for shared living expenses? Because if you were using your mother's money for yourself that wasn't legal.

Your brother, if he is POA, need not share with you any information about her finances, and indeed should not, as your mother's finances are her own business if she is competent, and the business of her POA or guardian if she has dementia and is competent. I think what is missing in your story is just WHO is the POA/GUARDIAN here for your demented mom?

We have only your side here. It is impossible to think that your brother would swoop in and take your mother without any reason whatsoever. It is also curious that you tell us that this was done while you were sick. Please explain. Were you too ill to care for your mother at this time due to your own autoimmune illnesses? Were you hospitalized? Did your brother feel your mother was endangered by your illness and inability to care for her at that time?

As you can imagine, in a story this complicated, we are left without the facts in this case.
I personally have little patience for siblings that battle over an elder, thus splitting their parent down the middle in terms of affection and choices for their care. It is very cruel.

My advice is to offer your brother all the help you can and to work together.
If however, you have proof that your brother is mishandling your mother or her finances I would call APS to discuss this.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Is your brother Moms POA? If so, maybe this last sickness showed him you can no longer care for Mom. With Dementia she will only worsen. He is not hiding it from you, he is using it for his mothers care. If he has POA, he cannot and should not allow you access to your Moms money. He, out of Moms money, cannot help u pay rent or utilities if Mom is not living with you. If she ever needs Medicaid, they may see that as gifting.

Are you on Social Security disability? If do, you may be able to get Supplimental insurance. There is help with utilities and rent. See your local Social Services to see what resources you can receive.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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I’m sorry you miss your mom and the situation changed for you both without it being better discussed. Your mother’s money should never have been your financial plan for yourself. Do you think this could be the cause of your brother’s concern? If your mother chose him to make decisions for her at a time when she’s no longer reliable to do so for herself, such as with dementia, you’ll need to make peace with his decisions. I hope you and your brother will be able to meet and discuss both of your concerns
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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Sheri6185 Mar 30, 2024
Thank you so much, No I don’t use my Moms money for my future needs. It’s going to be financially very hard but in my AA group we always say. “”No pain no gain, this too shall pass lol hate that one.
thank you for those that have read my recent post I miss my Mom immensely after a few months and she is starting to forget me. I’m grateful that I got to care for Mom for 6 years. She is now so funny and seems good.
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From your profile:

"About Me 
Hi I’m a Caregiver for my mom who has dementia. I myself am on Disability for many autoimmune disorders. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever done. My Dad died last year so it’s just Mom, me and the dog "

We're only getting your side of the story. Why do YOU think he won't return her? If your brother is her PoA then you have no power to have her returned unless you can prove he is somehow neglecting or abusing her (financially, physically, etc). Thenyou'd have to argue it through the courts.
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Reply to Geaton777
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I am sorry you miss your Mom.

Executor is for a will - Mom is alive.
Do you mean Power of Attorney?

Seems you & your Brother have different opinions to how to provide the right kind of care for Mom.

Sometimes it is a good idea to have a mediator to help you see each other's point of view. Do you both belong to a faith, or have access to a council Social Service? They can be a place to look for such a person to help you communicate with your Brother & understand.

If you were relying on Mom's money to support yourself, you may benefit from a Social Worker service yourself. To look at your options going forward from here.
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Reply to Beatty
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