I'm paying for assisted living with money from his checking account and CD's. He keeps withdrawing money from his checking account. I have the money from the CD deposited into the checking account monthly to pay bills. I'm afraid that he is going to use all his funds so I will not be able to pay bills.
Specificly, what does the document say regarding the handling of money and of greater importance- under what circumstances can the POA be activated? Are those circumstances in effect now?
Generally, DPOAs are more effective in acting on a persons behalf while they are still alive but cognitively impaired. However, in both POA and DPOA the general idea is that the person given the authority acts in a way that the principal would if they were able. Also, if the principal has not been deemed legally incompetent POA does not give the person power to override the principals decisions just because they don't agree with them.
All that said - it's a bad decision to take the principals assets and put them in your own name. This can be interrupted as thief and/or elder abuse. Many, including experts in the field will also tell you never to co-mingle your own assets with the principal you are POA for - it can get dicey when things like qualifying for Medicaid come into play - or if other family members are involved. At best - perhaps an account in both your names but with no assets of your own so every penny can be accounted for that comes in and out of the account. But again - even legal experts will tell you it's not a good idea.
Give your Dad an allowance. My Dad would ask for a couple of $20 bills every now and then. Dad still had his credit card and he was excellent about when to use the card, such as doctor/dentis.
Once my Dad was placed into senior care, I used that account to pay for this monthly rent, and any other bills he might have. Yes, his Social Security and pensions were placed in that account.... Dad had no way of getting to the bank unless someone, other then me, would drive him there. I am sure his caregiver would call me first to see if it was ok to drive him there, but he never asked to go to the banks... whew.