Legal Question in Family Law in Ohio
power of attorney abuse
Hi.
My sister was given power of attorney and placed my mother in an assisted living facility. She not only controls mom's accounts, assets, house, car, etc., but she is deliberately trying to keep me away from mom. She won't even tell me the name, number, or location of the facility mom is at. She and mom are in Ohio, and I live in California. I trusted her as power of attorney, but never dreamed she'd keep me away from mom. I don't understand why she's doing this, as I had always taken care of mom and she never has. All I can think is that she is trying to protect her inheritance. I don't care about the money; I just want to have contact with my mother to make sure she is ok and happy. If she is content, then fine. But if not, I want her to come live with me (she didn't want to live with me because she didn't like my girlfriend due to her advanced age.)
My question is, can my sister legally keep me away from mom? Does her power of attorney allow her to do so? She won't even allow mom to have a phone, nor for mom to talk to me on my sister's cell phone. If this continues, mom (whose memory is deteriorating) may forget who I am. Perhaps my sister is hoping for this?
Thank you for your time & any advice you can give me!
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: power of attorney abuse
Your enquiry should be referred to an attorney who practices law in Ohio. That is the law that would appear to apply since both mom and sister reside there.