Q: Can my uncle liquidate my grandparent's estate if he has power of attorney?
My grandmother has Alzheimer's. Her husband does not. They own a home and property but are staying in a memory care facility because my grandmother can no longer care for herself. Her husband, my step-grandpa, does not need the care. (Before he moved there with her, he was building a steam tractor in his garage and drove them everywhere.) My uncle has power of Attorney. He is liquidating their estate without their knowledge or consent. Can he do that?
A: A Power of Attorney only gives the Agent (the person named in the document) the authority to assist the Principal (the person who signed the Power of Attorney) with their financial matters as specified in the document. It does not permit the Agent to perform actions secretly or against the wishes of the Principal. If your grandmother's husband is not happy with what is happening I recommend he hire an attorney to assist him.
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