Alternatives to Power of Attorney

christinesean

Lucky you. I happen to have parents that were brought up in the days when you paid your bill the minute it arrived in the post. I have been trying to talk both parents into arranging direct debit and to change their providers. It's not only the old that don't understand the capitalist system. I have been a keen follower of Martin's tips but my son won't let me save money on his sky provider. I now pay £32 a month for my broadband computer, digital t.v and telephone with free calls after 6pm and week-ends and save at least £25 a month.

Christine.

margaretclare wrote:

Paying bills....you mean the normal kind of bills that all of us have to deal with - gas, electric, those kind of things?

We're a pair of 70-yr olds and we don't give things like that a thought. Reason: electronic banking and direct debits, best invention since sliced bread. It all runs like clockwork without our having to do anything about it at all! Pension payments drop into our bank accounts automatically, household bills are all paid by direct debit from our joint account which we opened just for bills.

I am looking at further hip surgery at end of November and I'm not giving bills etc a thought. Have got more important things on my mind than that!

Failing that, I heard of someone who took out an Enduring Power of Attorney for her parents on their 65th birthdays!! Parents then were hale and hearty and it was the last thing on their minds. I don't know if it ever got used or not. Maybe it's one of those things, like insurance, that may not be needed, but would be regretted if it wasn't there.

Aunty Margaret

margaretclare

Hi christinesean

Yes, the idea of paying a bill as soon as it arrives is a good one, but it does presuppose efficient budgeting to ensure that there's money there ready to pay it. I've known too many people who did the opposite - stuffed bills into a drawer, 'out of sight out of mind' and then acted surprised when they started getting red reminders etc.

I recently spent 10 days in hospital, 5th to 15th December. Am still not all that mobile, and one of the most comforting and reassuring thoughts has been the fact that all our household bills were going out by direct debit, everything was happening like clockwork, and all I've had to worry about was the surgery, then getting home, now getting back to normal mobility. Had a shower at home this morning for the very first time - we have a small step into the shower and I couldn't manage it before, have to do exercises to make sure my operated leg gets stronger!

Best wishes

Aunty Margaret

cheekymole

Friends of ours recenlty tried to get POA over "Mother" who is in a nursing home unable to speak etc. The solicitor declined. Witout going to court, is there any other was?

Dora_the_Explorer_5

I'm afraid you won't be able to obtain POA for someone "unable to speak etc" as they must have the capacity to understand what's happening. However you can apply to be appointed their guardian by the Court of Protection. Google court of protection and all the information is there. Hope this helps.

trotworthy

In 1988 when my husband had a stroke, although we were not living together, he wanted me to look after his affairs while he was in hospital. When I spoke to the bank they suggested that he give me the right to sign his cheques. They supplied a form which he had to sign and a friend of his had to witness his signature. I wasn't there at the time but I think that the medics had to confirm that he knew what he was doing. He never withdrew this right and as he found writing difficult I went on writing his cheques until he died 5 years later.

I think that this facility must still exist as it was suggested to me that my daughter should have signed similar agreement before she went off to work on QEII.