Q: My mother is 88 years old and wants to do a power of attorney to allow me to take care of her financial and medical
Do I need to be present? I live in Hawaii and she is in Florida
A:
You do not need to be present when your mother signs financial and medical powers of attorney appointing you as her agent. However, you and your mother both should consider whether it is practical for you to serve in those capacities given the large geographic distance. It is not impossible for you to serve in those roles from a distance, but it is more difficult than if you were closer.
For medical decisions, when the time comes you might consider hiring a professional care manager to help you.
For financial management, I would encourage you and your mother to work together to get as many accounts updated with you as her attorney in fact so that when she actually does need you to take over management of them, your authority will already be in place.
Terrence H Thorgaard and Bruce Alexander Minnick agree with this answer
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