My dad has a wonderful agent and he has informed me that all I have to do is formally request my dad's financial information if I want to see it. My dad has dementia and I’m having difficulty with my step-siblings so this is a good idea. Can anyone tell me how to do that?
You do not need to respond but what do his step-children have to do with this. As steps, they are not entitled to anything legally unless he adopted them. Did he raise them? Are they afraid that Dads care will use up all the marital assets? If so, his wife would need to see an Elder lawyer to have their assets split. Dads split eventually going towards his care. If step siblings have a problem, they should be talking to the POA and not you. They are entitled to protect their Moms assets too. The POA also should be made aware that there is a problem because that person handles Dads finances and should be protecting them. You should not get involved because nothing u can do.
I didn't know a POA COULD share financial information with family just because they request it.
In normal circumstances they cannot.
Perhaps your Dad, when well enough, or now still BEING well enough, has OK'd this release of information.
Generally, a POA acts for the person who requested they serve as POA, acting with the person or for the person if the person cannot act him or herself, but that POA is under no obligation to share any information with anyone but a COURT if the court requests an accounting (say a family suspects fraud for some reason).
I wish you luck.
What is the "difficulty" you are having with your step-sibling that requires knowing your Dad's financial information? Why doesn't the step-sibling ask the PoA themselves? Is this an inheritance issue? Hopefully not. And if it is, this is the domain of the Executor of his estate, not the PoA. And not until your Dad passes.