Legal Question in Elder Law in New York

Protecting Elder from harassment

Following my mother's death, my father returned to NY & presently lives with my brother. I hold my father's POA. He is menatlly competent, although by his own admission not very good at handling finances. My sister continuously contacts him asking for money, which he eventually wires. This occurs almost daily & if he refuses, she harasses him by phone until he sends her money.

They have tried changing their number & have even moved, unfortunately, she continues to contact him. He feels a sense of guilt because she was born when my parents were rather old... He doesn't want her out of his life & can't just turn his back on her. However, the constant harassment by his own admission & our observation is causing a great deal of emotional & physical stress which his health cannot withstand. He becomes depressed & has suicidal ideations. We have tried to intervene on his behalf with my sister unsuccessfully.

He is willing to turn over his finances for management to myself or my brother, but I worry about his sense of independence,etc. He has enough income to support himself and live comfortably, but can't continue to support her as well. What can we do legally to help & protect him? We'd like him to enjoy his life.


Asked on 6/29/05, 6:05 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Penny Kassel The Law Offices of Penny Kassel & Associates, PC

Re: Protecting Elder from harassment

Take him up on his offer to let you manage his finances now before the situation gets much worse

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Answered on 6/30/05, 5:47 am


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