My Mom is 95 with CHF and lives two hours away. I have three sisters who all live 20 minutes from my Mom. One is so dear and the other two belong on Jerry Springer. Mom still lives at home, (five bedroom farmhouse). Last year after she survived Covid, we all pitched in to help. I suggested at some point that perhaps we should look into AL since she has required more and more care and because the house is so big, there was cleaning and yard work etc. I received an e-mail from the two sisters, telling me they would never put our Mother in a "home" and help was no longer expected from me or my other sister, that they would do it all. They stopped speaking to both of us. They now insist I make an appt to see my mother though my brother in law because they won't be in the house if my sister or I am. I comply because all of this is temporary at this point and eventually I will never have to see them again. I have done all I can do to stop the texts and e-mails. Blocking, spam folder etc. But they have blindsided me again and again by using other people's phones and when Mom passes, I know it is going to be worse and I just want them to leave me alone. Is it possible to have all communication go through a lawyer. I know there will things to sign when the house is sold and I know there is a will in place that divides what ever there is four ways. I honestly don't even care about any of that, I just want the ugliness to stop. I'm 70.
The attorney reviewed my parent’s estate planning docs - Will, DPOAs, etc., and wrote a letter instructing sib that all communication to me specific to my parent and parent’s care went through them first. It cost approx $500, and that took care of it - nipped it in the bud. The other thing that went on - sib’s lies to my parent also stopped. It upset my parent no end as they thought (were told) I was being horrible to my sib. That, to me, was a bigger issue - manipulation for sib’s own purposes, and sib didn’t care about parent being upset. So wrong.
My parent passed recently, and I am executor. Similar stuff started up again, and fortunately, the probate attorney understands the dynamics, and has been great to work with. Processing grief while processing an estate is tough work. The probate attorney has helped tremendously.
Bottom line: I would recommend an elder law attorney review of your parent’s documents, if possible, along with what can and cannot be done. The attorney may be able to send a similar letter to your sisters. Yes, it will cost some money, but better that, if you can afford it, than constantly being dinged by siblings.
One additional thing - and a big one - the stuff that went on really thrashed me. I went back into counseling for awhile, and got my head and heart back on straight. If this is messing with you, your self-esteem, anger, etc., counseling may be a good addition.
Good luck!
i am not sure if anyone has POA. If the mean sisters do it ends upon Moms death and they cant keep you from Moms funeral without a legal order.
I am POA for my Mom and despite not having a relationship
with one of my siblings I would never cause friction between her and my Mother.
hang in there, enjoy the time you have with your Mom. The goal is quality time with her
You can go to an attorney, who may begin by drafting a letter to them outlining what further legal action you will take if they don't stop all harassing communications with you. Usually, just the threat of legal action gets people to stop. You will need to provide compelling evidence for the attorney to consider.
If your sisters are your Mom's PoA, you won't ever be allowed to know what's going on with her or be informed of her passing, or be allowed to attend her funeral. Just saying this may be the outcome. If you're not sure if they are actually her PoA (and you care if they are) the attorney can also demand proof of PoA, with a similar threat to have them prove it in court.And you will be resonsible to pay the attorney. I'm so sorry for your family's disharmony. Such a shame for your poor Mom.
'And loving it!' (said in my best Get Smart accent)
You had suggested AL as a practical future pathway, let's call that *the downsize stage*.
But those 2 sisters have donned their *no Care Home EVER!* T-shirts, drawn the battle lines & taken the lead.
In the wise words of some General: Lead, Follow or Get (outta the way).
I can see how you could not follow their plan, so are left with the get out of the way option.
It is a real shame when families pull apart due to elder care. Strong personalities, strong views & closed minds can wreaking havoc on relationships 😞
You all want a good life for Mom - just have different views!
Between the mixed messages of stopped speaking & also bombarding texts.. I feel good clear communication is sort of... missing.
Would it possible to have a faith/community/social worker mediate to improve the communication? Get a re-set?
Does anyone have power of attorney for your mom? Is she incompetent? If not, she gets to decide if you can or cannot visit, not your nitwit sisters. Quit catering to them.
Sure, you could try to get a lawyer to write a nastygram telling them to leave you alone, but what happens when you want to see Mom? You'll be shut out completely. As for inheritances, don't expect to get anything if one of them is the executor of the will.
If it was me, I wouldn't answer any calls from numbers I don't recognize and let the calls go to voicemail. Just as when you were children, I'm sure your mother would advise that they'll stop harrassing you if you don't react.
An attorney could discuss the possibility of a restraining order preventing them from acting without authority.
One way to address this would be to file with the local applicable court for injunctive relief, and ask the presiding judge to schedule an arbitration type hearing at which each of you could state your positions and an arbitrator would create suggestions, and/or issue authoritative guidance. Anyone participating would be bound by those decisions. That could be a stumbling block though, if your sisters wouldn't agree to participate.
If there is a will it will be filed. It often takes a year or more to settle an estate. Stay out of it. Their probate attorney will contact you and let you know timelines eventually.
Simply go Grey Rock on them. There is no other way. You might consider seeing a therapist for a while to set your boundaries and stick to the settings for your own good. You cannot control them,but you can decide on your responses to them.
Check sender of any email.
I would not bother wasting money getting a lawyer to send a letter.
If nothing else it would give them the satisfaction that you are spending your money.
Try not to let it bug you much if it aggravates you that much your mom might just out live you.
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