by Jim Schuster Certified Elder Law Attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document granting another person the power to act as the first person’s agent or “attorney in fact.” (An “attorney at law” is a person who acts as the agent in a court of law.) The powers granted may be as broad or as narrow as the “principal” chooses. The agent acts only so long as the principal approves – the agent’s authority may be terminated at any time. The agent never “takes over” but rather only performs the actions the principal authorizes, which may be to take care of all business of the principal. However, the principal always remains in charge. Where the power of attorney is “durable” the agent may continue even if the principal is not competent. A power that is not durable is suspended while the principal is incapacitated and that is the opposite of what an elder needs.
Every professional knows the critical value of a power of attorney for an elder. The “advance directive” is a specialized power widely recognized as the legal remedy for control over one’s destiny in the face of terminal illness. The patient’s instructions are carried out by the “patient advocate” whose authority is limited to end-of-life decision making. Without an Advance Directive nobody can make decisions for the patient. The only alternative then is an order from the probate court.
All geriatric professionals recognize that a durable general power of attorney is essential to successful aging. It allows a spouse, trusted child or friend to handle the elder’s business while the elder cannot.
Some elders are afraid of authorizing a power of attorney because they are afraid of elder abuse. They may have heard that 80% of the “perps” are family members. In practice, elder abuse is very rare. The vast majority of people who use powers of attorney for elders are loving, caring family members who without the authority could not assist. Powers of attorney are indispensable, but they also can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Choose agents wisely and know that it is a risk with a cure.
An agent is required by law to strictly and dutifully perform only those powers granted. More later on what happens if the agent violates this duty. The power of attorney is indispensable for family members who come to the aid an elder in time of need. Sorting out insurance denials is impossible with authority. A “No” answer to “Are you the insured?” will quickly terminate a call if the child has no authority.
What of the power for abuse? We hear of concerns that children may get a power of attorney from parents and then subject them to elder abuse. There are a number of legal points to consider. First, if the elder is not competent when the document is signed then it is of no effect. A court in a guardian or conservator proceeding may find that the elder did not know what the elder was signing and void the document as well as appoint a guardian. Second, the power of attorney is not often needed for abuse since these children have access to bank accounts of the parent by being joint on the bank account. Third there are criminal laws against abuse. A person who uses a power of attorney is a “person in relationship of trust.” If the agent uses the power of attorney to exploit a vulnerable adult, Michigan law provides for punishment up to 10 years in jail and a fine 3 times the value of the money or property obtained.
In addition the agent who abuses the authority granted may be charged with embezzlement and forgery and receive up to 14 years in jail. Elder exploitation is the misuse of an adult’s funds, property or personal dignity by another person. If you suspect Elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a private home or unlicensed facility, notify Department of Human Services (DHS) Protective Services for Adults. Statewide 24 hour Hotline: 855-444-3911.
Probate court is an alternative, but what does it cost? Where the elder is unable to manage his daily affairs and lacks the simple capacity to name the person who will assist in their affairs, the probate court is the only option. A petition to appoint a guardian or conservator must be filed with the court. There will be a formal public hearing. It will cost in time and money, and the elder’s affairs will be in the public court file. A complete inventory of their property will be on file as well as detailed annual accounts of their income, expenditures and a report on their physical condition. It will not be private. The court will appoint a person who will be supervised and answerable to the probate court.
Probate Court form 666 advises the following options be considered first before filing for a guardian or conservator:
•Do not resuscitate order
•Healthcare power of attorney
•Durable power of attorney
•Representative payee.
The protection of the court does not come without a price. One Westland wife found out the hard way. She wanted to sell her home and move to a condo now that her husband, who used to take care of the house, was in a nursing home. The problem was that she was his court appointed conservator. She had to “petition” the court for permission to sell the house. After eight weeks and almost losing her sale to an eager young family she got court approval and a bill for over $4,000 in court and legal costs.
Single people are especially vulnerable to having large sums of their own money spent on court ordered proceedings. One 85 year old Detroiter, who had frugally saved all his life, was billed over $10,000 in court approved conservator fees to manage and organize his affairs. He had a nephew who was a retired physician who offered to assist but was turned down by the court. Many seniors had their homes sold to pay for court appointed guardian and conservator fees. One wife was informed by the court appointed conservator that she had to spend two thirds of her and her husband’s life-savings on his nursing home bills. The conservator never thought of petitioning the same court for in increase in the wife’s asset allowance.
In short the power of attorney is a simple, affordable wonderful tool for family members to come to the aid of a person in need. If that power is abused there are powerful remedies against those who would try to take advantage of a vulnerable adult.