Q: Mother is poa over grandma finances. Elderly aging serv contacted her asking for receipts.
My mother is POA my husband and myself take care of my grandmother. A lady from Elderly Aging Services came by said she had a report made. My grandmother who is 87 and still very sharp told the lady she knows everything that's been spent. My mom never kept receipts she would give me cash for groceries every two weeks cash for diapers, underpass ECT and I'm given 1200 a month to take care of her I live there giving her around the clock care. She's bedridden therefore we do everything. The lady said she needed receipts for five thousand dollars. How can she make such a demand when my grandmother told her she is very aware? What can we do or how can we protect my mother she hasn't done anything. My mother doesn't use a penny for herself. Are we breaking any laws? Should we get an attorney? She can't get in trouble for paying me can she? I can't go to work I have to there 24/7.
A: If a report of possible financial wrongdoing was made, then they are obligated by law to investigate and confirm that the money has been used for your grandmother. Depending on how much money has been paid to you, or how much has been spent, they could take action. Use the Find a Lawyer tab and retain a local attorney who deals with elder law issues.
A: You may want to get a lawyer involved. What you describe sounds like poor bookkeeping practices, not crime. But these investigators can get pretty aggressive at times if they believe an elderly person is being cheated by their family. You should certainly create and keep receipts for everything. If there are cash transactions going on for everyday items, keep a ledger and put the receipts from the stores in a box so anyone who wants to can compare them.
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