POA is it always ‘worth it’?

Agree that if you have you mums consent then sometimes it’s easier to just pretend to be her. Perhaps for things that are less sensitive and have her sitting right next to you while you do it.
I understand about the not bullying things but sometimes hard choices have to be made, we’ve had to be firm with my grandmother on occasion which is distressing but necessary.
Now is the time to act while she still has capacity, when she doesn’t, it’s too late.

Definitely worth it IME. Get in touch with AGE UK. They will advise you. If you don't get it sorted out now, you run the risk of social services and the court of protection getting involved. Social services can be very helpful, of course, but you need to have a say in your mum's affairs. Elderly people are targets for conmen and scammers, you need to be in a position to protect her.

It was invaluable in dealing with my dad’s affairs, if you’re already dealing with your mum’s affairs, you’d be as well having it. In my experience organisations were a mixed bag, on the phone most were happy for me to hand the phone to dad and for him to say he was happy with me dealing with them, and it was noted so no future issues, some wanted me to email photos of the document, and others (looking at you SANTANDER) were a royal pain in the backside and would only accept it after actual sight of a certified original document.

I know some of MN will be horrified at this, but if you’re doing stuff on the phone wouldn't be above just saying you are your mum

It is well worth doing. A POA costs £82 at full price (can be less depending on the individuals circumstances). If you don't do one and then need to take control, it will be by way of Deputyship via the Court of Protection. You can easily be looking at a cost of £1k if a court hearing is needed, plus the need for an imdemnity policy plus ongoing annual fees. Also it is not a quick process.

Regarding your sibling, the POA document should state whether you are authorised to take decisions jointly or severally (individually).
Broadly yes it is a case of 1. Create 2.register with Office of Public Guardian 3.activate
As your DM still has mental capacity, now is the time to check whether the current version still serves her needs or whether she’d rather redraw it, in light of the siblings non involvement. Get whichever version properly registered.
Normally to activate the POA with banks, utilities etc you would send them an original or certified copy, sometimes they will want your ID too. Post offices will certify documents for a fee if you don’t have any registered professional types handy.

It's incredbly useful.

My parents have POA for a family friend. She still has capacity for most decisions but doesn't understand implications sometimes eg catalogue debts.

When you activate a LPOA you don't use it for every decision necessarily. The guidance notes state that a person may have capacity for some things but not others or capacity might come and go. Old peole still have the right to make bad financial decisions eg my parents old friend has every right to fritter her money away on catalogue clothes but they stop her ordering on credit as she doesn't understand that she hasn't paid on her debit card.

It's your responsibility to ensure you carry out the persons wishes and don't take things out of their hands when they are capable of making decisions.

I think if you phone the public guardian office they will help you. Just explain to your mum that the bank's won't let you help her if you don't have this. Takes a few weeks to register. My parents are fit and well in late 80s...dad still used to go to the gym until lockdown!!! He's 89. They registered them for our ease of helping them if needed.

When I invoked my financial POA for my mum, I phoned the POA team for her bank and they were incredibly helpful - I needed to send them the certified copy of the POA and then I got a card and cheque book as 'CMOT, Attorney of MumCMOT' within 2 weeks. If you have an account with the same bank already it is easier as they have all the information to identify you.
If your sibling is difficult, it is even more important that you have all the finances totally transparent as you never know when they will kick off

Financial poa active immediately. Welfare only when they lose capacity. Us the poa registered with the public guardian? If so contact the banks and arrange to send copies. You should get your own card as attorney for her account and keep records to show when you use it.
My partner has poa for his parents and now manages all their finances but should be transparent so noone tries to accuse you of taking money from her. Some places will accept your word for it but legally they shouldn't.

So yes they are very useful.

In my experience, yes.
Watching the hoops my mum has to jump through when dealing with my grandparents affairs and finances and that’s with full POA and cooperation from my grandmother.
If the power of attorney already exists does your mum actually need to be involved? I’ve not had to do it myself so not sure how it works....

DH had POA for FIL who had all his faculties. It was helpful just to be able to contact banks, sky etc when it all got too much for FIL to bother with.
It also meant that when FIL ended up in hospital after a fall, DH was able to fully discuss things with the medical team.