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The Moneyist

‘A person who is used to controlling others does not like being controlled’

Dear Quentin,

In a previous letter, I detailed how a relative gave their lawyer full financial and healthcare power of attorney. After my relative was declared mentally incompetent by two doctors, the lawyer activated the POA and is now preparing to place my relative in assisted living, which they do not want. They have now asked me to “fix this.”

I obtained some bank statements, and it appears the lawyer added his name to the accounts last July. My relative removed me from the POA and as the beneficiary of their IRA nine years ago. Instead of being appreciative when I said I didn’t care about the IRA and would help them anyway, this person became annoyed.