Runner
Elite Member
- Joined
- May 12, 2007
- Messages
- 2,778
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- 2024 Cub Cadet Ultima ZTXS5 54, 2007 John Deere 2520, 1989 John Deere 185, 1960 Panzer T70B
Arly, I was in your situation a few years ago. Hang in there. My process lasted a number years, from my Mom going into assisted living and eventually to skilled nursing unit. Had to clean out the house with 60 years of possessions. This was the house I grew up in that my parents literally built with their bare hands.
A couple of things that surprised me:
First, banks and other institutions seem to balk at power of attorney documents that are old. My Mom assigned me as power of attorney in 1992 and had a signed, notarized document so stating, but banks said it was "too old". I thought the whole idea of power of attorney was to make the arrangement early so it would be ready when/if needed. I finally wound up having to get and attorney to draw up a new one for us to stop the hassles. And, by the way, our lawyer had a good idea, he specifically listed items in the POA he knew would be problematic, like trusts, annuities, bank accounts, etc. This helped immensely.
Second, I was surprised at how much stuff (furniture, appliances) would disappear just by setting it out in the front yard with a "free" sign on it. Not talking about nice stuff, but old 1970's chairs, used old washers/dryers, old beds/mattresses. People were literally fighting over them in the driveway.
For me, getting rid of the "stuff" was the hardest physical work, but dealing with all the legal stuff was most difficult and time-consuming.
I wish you the best in this endeavor.
A couple of things that surprised me:
First, banks and other institutions seem to balk at power of attorney documents that are old. My Mom assigned me as power of attorney in 1992 and had a signed, notarized document so stating, but banks said it was "too old". I thought the whole idea of power of attorney was to make the arrangement early so it would be ready when/if needed. I finally wound up having to get and attorney to draw up a new one for us to stop the hassles. And, by the way, our lawyer had a good idea, he specifically listed items in the POA he knew would be problematic, like trusts, annuities, bank accounts, etc. This helped immensely.
Second, I was surprised at how much stuff (furniture, appliances) would disappear just by setting it out in the front yard with a "free" sign on it. Not talking about nice stuff, but old 1970's chairs, used old washers/dryers, old beds/mattresses. People were literally fighting over them in the driveway.
For me, getting rid of the "stuff" was the hardest physical work, but dealing with all the legal stuff was most difficult and time-consuming.
I wish you the best in this endeavor.