Today I spoke to the Community Living Center Social Worker. Wonderful person... whose job is to help with all kinds of personal matters. Let me share why I requested her help.
Perhaps it might be of some use for you to share with the RV forum.
Cricket and I have joint account for our financial matters. When she joined the Air Force, she opened an account at Eglin AFCU. Of importance is that Eglin AFB is in Florida. I received a letter from Eglin FCU the other day stating that our accounts were being placed as "de-active". This is done when no activity has occurred for more than 6 months. The letter stated that all I had to do to 'activate' my account was to call and tell them or deposit or withdraw any amount.
However, if I didn't do anything, the account (by Florida law) would be closed and all the money in the account would be turned over to the state of Florida.
Not to panic! Over the years, Cricket and I had jointly opened an account with USAA and that is our active financial institution. We just kept the Eglin account open as a safety valve...should we want to borrow money. Both Cricket and my account had less than $50 currently in it.... but I had no desire to give any money to the state of Florida. So... I called Eglin FCU and told them to close both accounts.
I was able to close my account. However, in order to close Cricket's account, she had to talk directly to the operator on the phone. Of course, that is no longer possible. The bottom line is that in order for the account to be closed, some 'acceptable' proof had to be sent to the bank.
Now, since I have a medical power of attorney, I thought it would be a simple matter to have the VA submit a copy to the bank. No such luck. As the Social Worker shared with me... the medical Power of Attorney is fine for permission for medical matters.
However the VA's experience has been that when it comes to legal matters (such as dealing with banks/financial affairs)... a legal power of attorney is required. Had Cricket and I had signed such a document when both of us were "mentally healthy", I would have had a copy and the matter would end there.
But.. I don't have that legal document. To obtain that document now would cost a lot of money, going to court, etc.
Now I have two options: (a) wait until she dies and obtain a death certificate and send it in and release the funds; (b) deposit $5 into her account, thereby keeping it open and active and wait until she dies and THEN send the death certificate in. So.... I am depositing $5.
Now... here is the 2nd situation. As it happens, it occurred two days ago. This definitely will be of interest to all SKP members. We are registered as residents of Texas. As such, every once in awhile, we receive a summons to appear for Jury Duty. Last week Cricket received that Jury Summons. As everyone knows, there are about a dozen reasons a person can have to be excused for jury duty. However, none of them cover being in a terminal condition...specifically.
I called the court and explained our situation. No problem.... just have a doctor certify that she is actually in a terminal condition that will not improve. This is a well known condition that the VA has experience with. So, I contacted the VA, brought the original jury summons letter to them and they are taking care of it.
Ned, unfortunately, both of the above situations have an excellent chance of happening to our friends. Perhaps sharing my experience will prepare them to ensure they have a legal power of attorney to minimize the daily requirement of dealing with such matters.
