Is it fraud and am i liable?

What is the name of your state? ohio

my brother is in jail, and will be for quite a while. i have power of attorney over his estate. he wants me to max out his credit cards to pay his legal fees and whatever else needs payed (including giving him some money)(about $5000 total). i'm pretty sure that he is planning on filing bancruptcy. is this fraud? will the courts even consider this debt if he files bancruptcy soon after? most importantly will i be held liable? I don't have the money to help pay his legal fees let alone another $5000 debt.

Personally I wouldn't do it. They will look at the last 90 days of activity and it would look suspicious if you did this. Technically if he knows he is filing, they should not be used. I also would not be using someone elses credit cards as your brother could later say he was unaware of what you were doing and then they would come looking for you for those charges.

I would get your brother to sign a paper stating that he is aware and has his permission that you are using them though whether or not he files BK.

[HomeGuru]

[quote]Originally posted by bart63
[b]What is the name of your state? ohio

my brother is in jail, and will be for quite a while. i have power of attorney over his estate. he wants me to max out his credit cards to pay his legal fees and whatever else needs payed (including giving him some money)(about $5000 total). i'm pretty sure that he is planning on filing bancruptcy. is this fraud? will the courts even consider this debt if he files bancruptcy soon after? most importantly will i be held liable? I don't have the money to help pay his legal fees let alone another $5000 debt.

**A: if you take such action you will be soon joining him making big rocks into small rocks.