What is the name of your state? New Jersey
My father-in-law is 88 and was in assisted living near us in PA for 8 years. Recent hospital stays have left him with too many ailments to take care of himself. Hospital recommended rehab, and we found a reputable nursing home in NJ. Kept apartment for a few extra months in case he could return. Have determined he is not in able to return and will need to stay in nursing home.
Nursing home suggested we apply for Medicaid to take over once his funds run out. Prior to applying, my husband and I have told the home we'd like to set up irrevocable preplan funeral arrangements as he has no life insurance. The nursing home has suggested an amount that we should not go over. We will put this amount toward the funeral home from his checking account and pay the difference ourselves. My father-in-law has a will naming my husband his attorney in the event of his death, and several years ago added my husband to his checking account. My husband never touched this account until the first hospital stay when he had to take over paying the bills, which are not many.
The funeral home has asked that along with the check, my husband submit a power of attorney. My father-in-law never put one together. In order to get a power of attorney now, we understand we need my father-in-law to sign with witnesses. However, is it necessary that this be notarized? Although he still has his faculties, he is not in physical condition to travel to a notary and I do not know any that make house calls.
The workaround would be to have him sign the funeral contract himself. However, he is already depressed and saying to just let him die. It was bad enough when he was admitted and asked to fill out a living will. We fear that asking him to sign his funeral arrangements will put him into even deeper depression.
My father-in-law is 88 and was in assisted living near us in PA for 8 years. Recent hospital stays have left him with too many ailments to take care of himself. Hospital recommended rehab, and we found a reputable nursing home in NJ. Kept apartment for a few extra months in case he could return. Have determined he is not in able to return and will need to stay in nursing home.
Nursing home suggested we apply for Medicaid to take over once his funds run out. Prior to applying, my husband and I have told the home we'd like to set up irrevocable preplan funeral arrangements as he has no life insurance. The nursing home has suggested an amount that we should not go over. We will put this amount toward the funeral home from his checking account and pay the difference ourselves. My father-in-law has a will naming my husband his attorney in the event of his death, and several years ago added my husband to his checking account. My husband never touched this account until the first hospital stay when he had to take over paying the bills, which are not many.
The funeral home has asked that along with the check, my husband submit a power of attorney. My father-in-law never put one together. In order to get a power of attorney now, we understand we need my father-in-law to sign with witnesses. However, is it necessary that this be notarized? Although he still has his faculties, he is not in physical condition to travel to a notary and I do not know any that make house calls.
The workaround would be to have him sign the funeral contract himself. However, he is already depressed and saying to just let him die. It was bad enough when he was admitted and asked to fill out a living will. We fear that asking him to sign his funeral arrangements will put him into even deeper depression.