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Whoa, whoa, whoa. The original post said she can no longer communicate. Don't be so quick to assume she does not have the capacity to execute a durable power of attorney and health care proxy. Lack of communication and lack of capacity are not the same thing! Consult with an elder/disability law attorney immediately. Guardianship is a big, expensive, intrusive step involving the court system, and should be avoided if at all possible. It does not take much capacity in a patient, to name someone who she would like to have manage her financial affairs, and there are ways that a document can be notarized if she is not physically able to sign it herself. But you will need an attorney to help you with this.
Someone needs to become her legal guardian. This has to be done with an attorney and a doctor who will state she is incapacitated. (Not able to make decisions.) If you need help you can contact your county social service agency and they may be able to advise you. I'd start by talking to her doctor about the best way to proceed. Good luck. These are difficult situations.
So sorry to read about your niece and her cancer. See if you can get guardianship of your niece, then that way you can help her get her affairs in order.
We agree with Freqflyer and Debbie. Someone does need to become her guardian. Our advice is to start with an elder or family law attorney, though, rather than the county. Depending on her prognosis, this may be a situation in which an emergency declaration by the courts or at least a temporary declaration is required. However, a solid attorney will be able to help you get the right pieces in place quickly.
There may be another way, if your niece's assets are titled jointly with others. E.g., if her house and bank account are held jointly and worded so that title passes to whoever is named, you wouldn't need a DPOA for that.
What might be just as important though is an Advanced Directive a/k/a Living Will, so that someone can make medical decisions for her. Does she have any siblings? Are her parents alive? If so, they would also be the logical people to step up and take responsibility, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
I am sorry to learn of this situation; my sister also experienced brain metastasis but was able to create her estate plan before it became too late.
I would agree as well that I'd look to a family elder law or estate planning attorney before petitioning the court for a guardian, unless the family is all in agreement who would act in that capacity. Try to avoid a court appointed independent guardian - it would be much more costly in the long run.
I wish you success in finding an alternate solution.
My sister had a very aggressive breast cancer. She was told she had a 30% chance. She was sick maybe one week out of the month. She didn't work the whole 8 months. She had a six yr old son. She left no will or put him on as beneficiary to her life insurance. The state comes in and tells you what your belongings are worth. Then they expect u to sell for that amount. All money that was collected goes to a lawyer. Her home had a mortgage and no insurance. Mom stayed long enough for nephew to finish the semester. What didn't get sold she was allowed to take. All monies went towards debt. My brother had to go to court to have nephew declared closest living relative so nephew could get insurance money. Better you have a will.
Garden Artist has a great point. However, someone is still likely going to need a court order (e.g. a guardianship ruling) to make decisions on your niece's behalf seeing as your niece did not provide a legal document that provides that kind of decision making authority to a particular person or persons. Also, an elder or family law attorney is necessary, at least in our state, to navigate the guardianship process even if it is uncontested. Absolutely agree that having someone within the family take on this role is the best, even if it means just having an official spokesperson to sign documents reflecting the decision of the family as a whole on anything, from paying the electric bill to deciding which medical intervention to attempt.
I agree with all of these posts. I hope you can work something out. It would be horrible for her to continue to suffer because she missed a step in the legal process. I might also mention, it might help to see what your State Laws are on this. Even if you live in a state that is a Right to Die state it may be too late. Contact an attorney immediately. MAKE SURE the attorney is an elder law attorney. I did not realize how important the specialization is until I hired the wrong attorney. I am sorry your sister and you have to go through this.
This same thing happened with my sister. Once the cancer gets to the brain they can no longer think rationally or are coherant. Its just a matter of time. Don't wait. It was found on Friday the cancer was in her back. By Sunday had gone to the brain, by Tuesday she was gone. This after 8 months of chemo. No will so the state stepped in.
I am sure if she knew that this would happen, she would have done the document allowing someone to take control. Gosh I am sorry. These things are horrible and it isn't like we are used to doing all that needs to be done. It sort of hits us and sometimes too late. I feel so bad for her and the family. Please just think what would she want you to do. I am curious, when the state steps in, what is it that happens?
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
What might be just as important though is an Advanced Directive a/k/a Living Will, so that someone can make medical decisions for her. Does she have any siblings? Are her parents alive? If so, they would also be the logical people to step up and take responsibility, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
I am sorry to learn of this situation; my sister also experienced brain metastasis but was able to create her estate plan before it became too late.
I would agree as well that I'd look to a family elder law or estate planning attorney before petitioning the court for a guardian, unless the family is all in agreement who would act in that capacity. Try to avoid a court appointed independent guardian - it would be much more costly in the long run.
I wish you success in finding an alternate solution.
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