Question:
“My mother is getting up there in years, and wants to move to a retirement home where she can get the care she needs. But she’s very anxious about selling her house, so she wants me to handle it. Is there any way I can do everything for her so she doesn’t have to stress? Or does she still have to be involved in all the decisions and paperwork?”
Answer:
Yours is really a legal question. I’ll do my best to answer it, but please consult with an attorney…
There are two key parts to your question:
- Does she need to be involved in all the decisions?
That’s between you and your mother. If she’s okay with you deciding everything, that’s her call.
- Can I sign documents for her?
This depends on how she holds title. She can give you Power of Attorney if she owns the home in her name, or if it’s in a trust and the trust allows for a Power of Attorney. If the trust does not, you and your mother should seek legal advice about you becoming a trustee of the trust or amending the trust to allow a power of attorney, either which would allow you to sign.
If there are other interested family members, talk with them before you do anything. You don’t want to create friction or even legal action if they feel you’re overstepping your bounds.
One resource that helps make the moving process easier for seniors is A Place For Mom.com. They provide free services across America and in Canada and can help you with all aspects of the senior moving process.
