Enacting a power of attorney?

[Theas18]

I need to start getting formal access to Mum and dads banking etc. I mean beyond her giving me the card and saying " take some money out for me" then giving me portions for petrol/milk bill etc

Mum can't really go anywhere now ( well she can in a wheelchair but even that wipes her out for 24+ hrs) and she cant see.

As I'm 90mins away internet banking and e statements to check etc would be much easier. Also i could do direct payments rather tan I pay it and she pays me back LOL

Bit worried it'll be super complex thougg

Do you have financial POA?

If you do, then first Google the 'POA information mumsbank' and print what it says so you can take it into the bank. Then book yourself a day off, take the original (or authorised copy), all the details of her things you have, photo ID for you, and go into the branch. Then you can get a bank card in your name, and sort out if the account is enabled for internet banking.

It should be straightforward, but many bank staff don't understand what POA means, so having their own info will help

POA will take a while. The quickest thing is to get a Third Party mandate form for them to sign. This gives you access to their account, and allows you a cheque book and presumably a bank card and internet banking.

I also wrote a load of letters for my mum to sign asking for mail to be sent to me. Much easier than trying to sort out POA on loads of utilities etc. As she was moving anyway I set up the mail redirect to come to me. I then give her mail directly relating to her. (Eg I pay subscriptions for things, she gets the event calenders.)

Big tip is when you have the POA take the original into a bank branch for them to copy and certify, rather than send it away. (If you use a lawyer you should ask for some certified copies.) Much quicker and no danger of losing the original. Also with luck you get someone helpful, who can read over the form and help ensure you have filled it in correctly. I don't think I every managed to register a POA in a single visit. Call centres inevitably give you the wrong information of what you need to bring in. I did the same with the tax office.

Internet banking is great. As my mother already has a safe for pills and a carer coming in daily, I leave emergency money in there. Disbursements are listed in the care diary.

Thanks CMOT that's exactly what I was concerned about. What simple way round it. THanks!