Abusing Power of Attorney - Consequences

[SpySocks]

Sister, step-mother and I have POA for my father who has advanced vascular dementia.

Step-mother has continued to book foreign holidays for them both, saying she wants to make memories. On reviewing his bank statements, I have discovered that the holidays have been paid for on his credit card, which has then been paid off using funds from his current account. This account is in his sole name. It is not joint. He does not have the mental capacity to agree to this. The holidays are expensive cruises. Since his diagnosis (5 years ago), he has also given her children £500 each every christmas (this is something he has done for me and my sister since we left home in the early 2000s). They have been married for 7 years and the children are adults in their late 40s/early 50s.

The last couple of holidays have been difficult as he was very confused most of the time and didn't know where they were.

I believe she has abused the POA and want to get the Office of Public Guardian involved. Does anyone have any experience of this? Are they likely to take my concerns seriously? What are the likely penalties?

The twist in the tale is that my father is now in hospital dying, as a result of a bug he picked up on the cruise, which developed into pneumonia and a severe infection. I feel so angry.

https://share.google/I9eFvGetqTirJ6WJK

go to the Court of Protection. They can do emergencies too when time is of the essence.

I have worked with the pg&t in the past; in those cases monetary gifts that were the norm can continue.
If historically he took annual holidays or supported his wife doing so again this would be considered normal use in this family.
No harm in calling.

Contact them for advice.

Is the £500 to her children a new thing? Or did he do it when he had mental capacity?

Does she continue to gift the same to you and your sister.

Does your father have a will?

If your father had not been ill in hospital I would have suggested contacting your local safeguarding team re the holidays.

There is also a group on Facebook - Dementia & Alzheimers UK carers group, if you post this on there

might be worth contacting them, but if he went on a cruise with his wife then I think it would be a difficult one to argue, especially if he used to pay for things during the marriage when he had capacity. I’d probably be more concerned about what’s in the will and who has it!

Thank you for all the comments. Much appreciated. I'll respond later.