My dad recently moved into assisted living. My sister has POA. Dad wanted his kids and grandkids to take the things they wanted from the home and sell what no one wanted. My sister has arranged for an auction and we're instructed that we can bid on things we want at the auction but not not take anything else out of the house. I realize that there are problems like this along the way and my dad does need money for future living expenses, but I know most of his stuff is not worth $$$ but are invaluable in the memories. Must we abide by my sister's instructions?
However, I do understand that she's probably trying to recoup all the money she can for your father's future care.
OTOH, if your father is still capable of making decisions, it's his right to do so and decide if he wants to subject the family to bidding at an auction.
When does she plan to open the auction to the public to sell what the family doesn't want?
I do get that we want to get as much as we can for his future care, but as I said, most of the stuff is sentimental in value and will not bring a lot, especially when the auctioneer takes his cut.