My mom is very angry with my sister. Mom is 86 and wants to give each of her children $10,000, but my sister says she is going to have mom write the checks but not mail them so she can keep it for mom's care. Three of my sisters agree, but I hate lying to mom, but she is very, very angry. My Dad is no longer living, I should add that mom is getting quite forgetful. Mom has said many times she does NOT want to go to a nursing home. Thanks for your help - I am new at this and have had arguments with my sisters over my mother's care and it gets nasty.
Your profile mentions Dementia. Your sister has the right idea. Let her sign the checks just don't give them out. Let the sisters thank her. Little white lies sometimes need to be used. I would also write Void on the checks especially the signature. This way they can't be mistakenly used.
So again, it depends on your Mom's financials. If she has upward of one million she is somewhat self insured, and could survive with no governmental help for 5 years. Then she can give some money away. Many seniors do, and help children with down payments, with college for grandchildren. But in these times they are the more lucky, more rare among us.