Exercising POA?

newleaf

Unfortunately, my elderly mum is currently seriously ill in hospital, and recovery seems unlikely.
We sorted out POA (medical & finances) a few years ago, when she made her will. The POA was also registered with the Court of Protection at the time, so I understand it's all ready for me to use.
What evidence will I need to take to the bank etc. now, to allow me to take the reins?

Catswhiska

The actually POA paperwork or a certified copy. Identification for yourself such as a passport and utility bill.

Keep_pedalling

You should not just turn up, you need to make an appointment. When you make the appointment they will inform you what you need to bring with you.

elsien

The hospital will need to see the health/welfare document for any medical decisions.

Zanderman

For the bank make an appointment, take the original financial PoA document plus id. Ask for online and telephone access for yourself if that's your thing - otherwise you may have to go in again for those.

My siblings and I recently did this for our Mum's accounts at Lloyds and at NatWest. No problems - appointment for all of us (not mum) at once, all sorted. But differing treatment. Lloyds set up generic log-in for us all - i.e we all know the same login. NatWest insisted we all have separate logins.

We all now have debit cards for her accounts with both banks.

NatWest 'my rewards' seems impossible to access as an attorney, but that's a minor point. NatWest personal banking (investments) can only be accessed by phone and needs a completely different set-up - but easy to do.

What we haven't yet tried is opening new accounts - we're selling her house and need to open accounts to stash the cash for her. NS&I is the obvious short-term place - and for this we'll need to apply by post, sending a certified copy of the PoA (every page certified) which we'll have to get a solicitor to do for us. Same goes for any other accounts opened by post. Can't open accounts online as PoA, unless already registered the PoA with the bank in question.

So, so far no probs but so far it's been done face to face with the original documents.

We haven't, yet, done anything with her utility companies - but can access that info, unofficially, by logging in with her own details. We need to rationalise this (as we can't, for example ring them up and change anything without registering PoA) - which will involve sending off certified PoA copies etc.

We have no reason, yet, to do anything with the health PoA so can't make any comments on that.

newleaf

Thanks Zanderman, that is very helpful information.
I will make an appointment at her bank, of course. I wasn't intending to just rock up unannounced and expect it all to be sorted out. I just thought it would be helpful to hear what others had experienced in this situation, and it seems I may need some certified copies, so it was worthwhile posting the thread.
Fortunately (?) mum has very little in terms of assets, doesn't own her own home etc., so I hope it will be relatively plain sailing. I have been using the POA 'under direction' for some time, so already have her Utility bills, rent, council tax etc. organised online, and paid with direct debits. I just could do with having online access to her current account for simplicity's sake, and in the eventuality of her death, I will need to be able to wind up the account.
Surprisingly, regarding the health POA, the hospital didn't seem to want any evidence; they asked me several days ago to consent to a medicine they wanted to prescribe, but mum was very confused that day and wouldn't consent herself. They also want to do a CT scan, which she declined. They were happy enough to accept my verbal consent to both without seeing any paperwork. Probably not entirely correct procedure, but I won't create any unnecessary obstacles.
It's a difficult and emotional time, for sure. I never imagined I'd be in this position, and I'm very sorry for anyone else who finds themselves in this sad situation, but thank God she was keen to be organised well in advance of it becoming necessary.

elsien

newleaf wrote: »

Surprisingly, regarding the health POA, the hospital didn't seem to want any evidence; they asked me several days ago to consent to a medicine they wanted to prescribe, but mum was very confused that day and wouldn't consent herself. They also want to do a CT scan, which she declined. They were happy enough to accept my verbal consent to both without seeing any paperwork. Probably not entirely correct procedure, but I won't create any unnecessary obstacles.

It isn't the correct procedure. I would suggest taking a copy in anyway because you don't want someone to remember they need to do things properly just at the time an important decision needs to be made. Hospital insisted on seeing the POA (for obvious reasons) when discussing a Do Not Rescusitate order for a relative.

newleaf

Thanks, I will have some certified copies done this week and get one filed in mum!!!8217;s notes. The DNR issue is already resolved though. Mum was very clear on that point.

Flugelhorn

I completed a H&W POA for my mother but she filled in a date wrong and it was hence not cleared but the OPG. In the end it made no difference and the document, had it existed, would not have been used.
Fortunately the P&FA POA was correctly completed.
Discussions and decisions re health care when she had no capacity were made in her best interests by the team looking after her following discussions with OH and I.

badmemory

It is always possible if you have used the H&W one at the GPs that the hospital may already know about it. They did for my mother.

xylophone

I just could do with having online access to her current account for simplicity's sake, and in the eventuality of her death, I will need to be able to wind up the account.

Be aware that PoA ends with death.

At that point the executor steps in.