Urgent help pls. How can elderly housebound man withdraw cash from bank?

pmlindyloo

For the moment I think you have used the best solution by getting him to write out a cheque for you and then giving him the money.

Because there are, potentially, relatives around I would go just that one step further and get a book of receipts and get your friend to sign to say he has received the money (you could keep the receipts if need be) This would cover you - just in case - as you would have a record of the cheque being deposited and a receipt for money being handed over.

My mum's signature has also changed (now very child like) and I was really afraid that the bank wouldn't honour the cheques but they did.

Also, as mum can't speak over the phone to give all the security details (easily confused) getting a new cheque book was a night mare.

The bank offered to visit her in her nursing home to sort things out (Barclays) so you may like to ask someone senior in the bank if they would provide this service.

I would also second the advice about getting an LPA. I have one for my mum but haven't used it yet as she is still compos mentis. However, it is a huge responsibility for someone who isn't a relative so you may need to consider talking about it to your friend and exploring getting in contact with his relatives. A difficult position for you.

And finally, LPAs done by solicitors are very expensive. You can do it yourself or ask around if anyone could recommend someone that they have used.

[Deleted User]

I am sure that this is not really that uncommon an occurrence - speak to one of the charities specifically there to give advice to elderly and/or disabled.

Maybe Age UK/Age concern?

Wywth

archieboy wrote: »

Thank you for all your replies so far.

I did deposit one of my friends cheques, made out to me, at my bank on Tuesday after I had spoken to his bank and really got nowhere. Just waiting to see if the money is deposited ok into my account. I have already withdrawn the cash to give him in this cash emergency he has just now.

I don't have any contact details for his family but yes, I would prefer they knew all about this problem. There is a brother and nephew but I don't think my friend will let me contact them as he is annoyed that they haven't been keeping in touch more.

I'm really not happy about using his debit card so will try to convince him to let me arrange for a solicitor to visit him and get something legal set up for the longer term.

So he can write cheques.

The gardener should be happy with a cheque (if it's not possible to set up a regular payment plan with him).

Likewise I would have thought those getting groceries would be prepared to accept repayment by cheque.
Alternatively, why don't they order online and use his card to pay for his groceries

Sounds like he needs professional help though if things are getting that bad, and relatives have essentially abandoned him (or unaware of his condition and not contactable).
Even if help is not required immediately, the necessary people should be made aware of the situation.

archieboy

Thank you all so much for all your replies. They have been really helpful.

On Friday his social worker is coming for a visit to check he is getting all the help he needs and he is happy with his carers who come in three times a day. My friend wants me to be there so I will also bring up his problem of getting cash and see if the social worker has any suggestions. I'm sure they must have come across it before.

Every one is saying that power of attorney is a huge responsibility, do you mean because I would be responsible for my friends banking and if any of the his family suggested at any time that money was missing from the elderly persons account, that it would all rest on my shoulders? Or are there other areas of responsibility?

I thought it might look suspicious if I wrote out one of his cheques to myself and got him to sign it but from some of the replies it seems others are doing this to get cash for the housebound person. Again I can see that it could be a problem proving that I had actually given him the cash. The receipt book is an idea though. I feel it's just a vicious circle.

whitewing

Definitely speak to the social worker, and maybe also see if the social worker can talk to him about some involvement with family to protect you from bad feeling.

zygurat789

archieboy wrote: »

I asked if a member of staff could call at his home but they said no, they could not do that. .

Yes they can and less than a year ago Barclays did just this for my BiL

Dimey

The things to be careful of, if you go for the Lasting Power of Attorney are: -

The relatives could accuse you of wanting to steal the old boy's money or influence him to leave you an inheritance. This happened to a friend of mine. The unfair accusation ruined the friendship she had with the old lady and my friend kept away leaving the old girl stuck for help.

You'll be legally responsible for his financial affairs so for your own protection you should keep a record of all income and expenditure you handle, in an accounts book and keep all receipts as evidence should they be required.

If you give the gentleman cash then get him to sign a receipt and enter in your book. When the gentleman's mind starts forgetting things he could deny you gave him money or say there was money in the drawer before you arrived and now its gone.

I know it sounds paranoid but believe me it saves any arguments further down the road.

I've been attorney for two people and I have three friends who have too so my experience says make sure everything you do is transparent and hold on to proof.

Don't mix up your money with his. Cashing the one off cheque in the emergency was necessary but I'd avoid it in future.

I think you should definitely contact the relatives before you call the solicitor & go for LPA. You never know one of the relatives might prefer to do it.

I'm amazed the bank said for him to give you his PIN number. That's against all the rules. We all know that. Don't do it. Tell the head office what they said and ask for better support.

Your gentleman is a lucky man to have a kind neighbour willing to help so much. That will be a weight off his mind.

Errata

Do discuss with the social worker, they have a duty to ensure everything is running smoothly and to their client's benefit in every domain of their life.
There will be a way to deal with this financial impasse without you becoming an attorney; which in any case takes some considerable time to set up so it wouldn't solve the immediate cash problem anyway.

troubleinparadise

Archieboy: "Every one is saying that power of attorney is a huge responsibility, do you mean because I would be responsible for my friends banking and if any of the his family suggested at any time that money was missing from the elderly persons account, that it would all rest on my shoulders? Or are there other areas of responsibility?"

The responsibility involved with POA is that you are essentially taking over another person's finances. Therefore everything has to be traceable via receipts and records, so that it can be shown that you are "acting in the best interests" of the donor.

All actions can be subject to investigation and any discrepancies can lead to legal action should there be any question of what money is being spent and why. So yes, if you are the attorney then the buck stops with you.

Depending on the type of power of attorney, such as an LPA, you can even have the power to sell a person's house (in the situation perhaps of a person moving to residential care and needing to fund that care themselves from their assets) - so the power can be very far reaching.

These links give more information:

https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/power-of-attorney

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/legal-issues/powers-of-attorney/

Savvy_Sue

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I would also second the advice about getting an LPA. I have one for my mum but haven't used it yet as she is still compos mentis. However, it is a huge responsibility for someone who isn't a relative so you may need to consider talking about it to your friend and exploring getting in contact with his relatives. A difficult position for you.

And finally, LPAs done by solicitors are very expensive. You can do it yourself or ask around if anyone could recommend someone that they have used.

Actually, if you go for LPA, I believe that part of the process is to contact any relatives - even if it's a relative applying - so that one person can't do this without anyone else being aware. And although you CAN do this yourself, in this situation it may be worth using a solicitor so that you do cover all the bases.

However, as others have said there are alternatives to full LPA, and these do include you becoming a signatory on his accounts.

Although if he can sign a cheque and the bank are still accepting his signature, then that's the short term issue solved - just keep records!!!

archieboy wrote: »

On Friday his social worker is coming for a visit to check he is getting all the help he needs and he is happy with his carers who come in three times a day. My friend wants me to be there so I will also bring up his problem of getting cash and see if the social worker has any suggestions. I'm sure they must have come across it before.

Every one is saying that power of attorney is a huge responsibility, do you mean because I would be responsible for my friends banking and if any of the his family suggested at any time that money was missing from the elderly persons account, that it would all rest on my shoulders? Or are there other areas of responsibility?

I thought it might look suspicious if I wrote out one of his cheques to myself and got him to sign it but from some of the replies it seems others are doing this to get cash for the housebound person. Again I can see that it could be a problem proving that I had actually given him the cash. The receipt book is an idea though. I feel it's just a vicious circle.

There's already been some info on PofA, but you end up being potentially answerable to the Public Guardian's Office, and if they're not happy (or the nephews kick up) then life can get very interesting.

Of course it is possible for someone completely independent to be appointed. The SW should know about that.