Still trying to protect assets

[djbaker1969]

My 72 yr old psychotic mother is now at a state run psychiatric hospital. She still refuses to give me a power of attorney. She owns a co-op apartment worth about $70K and has about $40K in cash. The psych hospital petitioned to become the receiver of her social security checks, I told them that her SS is currently direct deposited in her bank account and is used to pay her private health insurance premiums and her co-op maintenance and insurance. I explained if her maintenance stops getting paid - her apartment will probable eventually go into foreclosure or at least become encumbered. They have agreed to and suggested I become a representive payee of my mother's social security. Is this a smart or foolish thing for me to do. What are the advantages and disadvantages?

Thanks very much for your input.

 

[seniorjudge]

You should be her representative and get a guardianship/conservatorship over her.

She cannot give you a power of attorney; she is not competent to give one.