My Elderly neighbor/friend that I have been watching out for the last 7 years is now 84 years old. He's having trouble with paying bills and just about everything. He has no family to speak of, and his mental health is really fading. I've been pretty much taking care of him the last year and a half or so. It's getting harder each day with just paying his phone bill. Since I'm not family. Any help or advice would be much appreciated
This is all foreign to me, maybe I don't need POA, Maybe I need to go another route?? HELP PLEASE!!

Here we have the Office of the Public Trustee, who’s job it is to look after this sort of thing for vulnerable people who can’t do it themselves (they made sure the monthly rent was paid for a tenant I had who had a brain injury).

You might want to see if there is something like that in your state. Alternatively, find some family to take over.

In the end, a POA is helpful if you can get it. Problem will be whether he is of sound enough mind to legally sign it.

Yes, the state usually has help for folks in that situation.

AKCHOPPER;
Good afternoon sir, I trust the day is a good one for you other than the current dilemma and that those who matter other than your neighbor are well.

As with our forum mate from Ontario who's answered for his locale, I can only make suggestions based upon my wife's and my experience with POA here in BC.

There is as noted previously the matter of the person needing to be of sound mind before it's completed.

Here it's done through an attorney or justice of the peace - so that's a good place to begin the questions in your state.

We in BC now require what's called a Representation Agreement to make any medical decisions on behalf of the individual. It used to be that a POA covered that as well, but that's no longer the case here.

We both were jointly named on a bank account which enabled us to continue paying the bills and finally keep the lights on so to speak during the eventual transition into more structured care.

If it was me, I'd talk to the gentleman and if he's okay with it, go see an attorney who deals with this sort of thing and then ask the questions together.

Bless you for caring for your neighbor regardless sir, I hope that was useful.

If you have questions that I might be able to answer, please ask and I'll do my best to assist or say I'm not sure.

Dwayne

Not sure if it is true in every state, but here, POA terminates at death. This can be an issue in paying bills and things of that nature - just something to keep in mind.

My wife has one with her Mom.

It covers everything legal,you know signing papers and such.

She was also put on all bank accounts as a co-owner of said accounts.

That way when she goes the wife can still write checks,pay bills and settle the estate.

Same for safe deposit box.

These things were done several years ago,she is now 87.

The mother in law also has a DNI/DNR order.

Might look up what your state says about these things.

Have you spoken to this person about your concerns?

If he is amenable, another option might be a revocable trust. He could name you trustee and you could manage his finances, pay bills, etc. while obligated to do so as a fiduciary which has some legal requirements that go beyond POA. Usually a bit more palatable to people turning over their assets.

He could name beneficiaries other than you in the event of his death as well.

ETA: you might also encourage him to have a Living Will created if he hasn't already. Everyone over the age of 18 should have one. A Trustee would be able to make those arrangements in the event of his death.

Proceed carefully. You said............no family to speak of. All it takes is one low life distant relative to screw up everything good you are trying to do.

Yes. This is universally true. POA dies with the person. A court must appoint the executor of an estate.