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I have DPOA for my mother who has been diagnosed with dementia. Mom wants to get some roof work done. However, recently she's experienced bouts of hallucinations. She's gone to the doctor so we aren't sure if the hallucinations are connected to her dementia or if they are the result of a possibly UTI. Nevertheless, she is very close to signing a contract with a roofer and I want her to wait. Also, my brother is helping to facilitate this contract - AND he wants nothing to do with me (primarily because he does not have DPOA thanks to his history of mismanaging money and borrowing large sums of money from my mother). Should I contact the contractor directly and tell him he needs to wait? Just need to do what's right and try to avoid any fireworks with my (idiotic) brother.
Thanks!

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If you know who the roofing contractor is, this is what I'd do if I were you. I would contact him directly asking him to send me a copy of the contract as I would be the only person who can legally enter into a contract. If he gets signatures from anyone else, he might not get paid, as the homeowner is incompetent. Schedule the work to be done at your convenience, when you can go to be with your mother and it will probably take a couple of days, so plan accordingly. It depends if they are to repair anything or just reshingle, and also if they need to remove the old shingles or can just cover them. If this doesn't seem to be okay with the roofer, then tell them thanks but no thanks. Then tell your brother and mother whatever you have worked out.
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If it were me, and roof needs repairs or replacement needs to be done, I would only allow a roofer who has been in the community a long time and has an excellent track record. Pay up front only the cost of the materials, and after the work is completed then pay for the labor. And pay by check directly to the roofing company.

If it is your brother who is picking out the *roofer* and since you said he has a history of mismanaging money and borrowing large sums of money from your mother, it would make me wonder if he is working out some type of deal where he will get the money and no work or cheap work will be done.
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You might send a letter (next day air) with copy of DPOA, to roofer, explaining you are the only person who can give legal permission. Also send a copy of this to your brother, and remind him he has no authority to your mom's money, especially for a major purchase like this. You could put a temporary hold on her checking & credit card, so that no money is paid (but that could cause problems for anything on Auto-Pay that should be paid). Are you able to go there and be there in person?
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@jessiebelle - I've not seen the contract. That's the problem. Additionally, if my mother is experiencing hallucinations and some paranoia, the last thing I want right now is to have roofers on top of her house - I think it will make matters worse. Does this make sense?
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You write that she needs the roof work done. Is the price for the work reasonable? If it is reasonable, I don't see the problem here. Is the problem with the roof something that you can wait on? Do you want to get more estimates? UTIs are usually fairly easy to treat and respond in about a week, so they're no reason to put off needed work. If the estimate for the work is too high is the only reason I can see to try to stop her from signing the contract. Is that the case?
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