Legal Question in Elder Law in Florida

Help with an elderly parent

My father who will be 87 years of age this year has become very disoriented, can not see very well, but still lives alone in his home. He is very stubborn, asks my brother and I for help, but then he doesn't want to give up control. Just recently my brother was able to look at some of his banking statements and bills. He has, we feel been either scammed or maybe not scammed but has definitly been taken advantaf of. We are afraid if we do not do something he will loose his home which is really all he has anymore. He has been sent to the collection agency more than once, has more money going out than he has coming in. We never know when he will not be able to find his way home, be hit by a vehicle because he doesn't see or hear well at all anymore. My brother and I feel as though are hands are tied but are grasping for anything to be able to help even though he doesn't want to give up control.


Asked on 1/31/01, 9:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Kelly Henderson

Re: Help with an elderly parent

You have discribed a very difficult situation. You may want to consider talking this over with a guardianship attorney and having someone appointed (you or your brother) to handle the financial affairs of your father. You might explain to him that such a move would not give you total control of his money because the court would oversee your actions and require that you file an accounting of money spent. These situations can also set up so your father has some control of his own money, say the ability to withdraw some small amount each week or month for his personal use. You need only take that much control of his affairs that will protect him. Good luck and send me an e-mail if there is anything else I can do.

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Answered on 3/21/01, 12:20 pm


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