Lasting Power Of Attorney

(Mum enjoying a cuppa last week).

A close family friend advised me to start looking into Power Of Attorney (POA) whilst Mum was of sound mind to agree to it. I arranged for both Health and Welfare and for Financial Affairs. At the same time Mum said she wanted to update her will.

The solicitor agreed to do home visits to make it easier. Despite reminding Mum to stay at home she of course went out and forgot her appointment! Another hurdle was Mum deciding in the 11th hour that she didn’t want to sign the documents. I remember calling from New York trying to convince her. At the time she had an issue with her telephone line which she was no longer capable of sorting out for herself. I was able to use it as an example of how POA would enable me to resolve issues on her behalf. She must have realised that a woman who could talk for Ireland and England without a phone line would not do at all. It seemed to work and she agreed to sign. I acted fast before she changed her mind.

Having POA makes life so much more manageable. I was able bring some control back to her life and in particular get on top of her finances which had got somewhat out of hand.