It’s wise to be prepared to step in and take over your aging parents’ finances just in case you are needed. These steps can help you be ready if/when the time comes.

by Gary Foreman

Dear Gary,
My father and mother live alone in the same house that I grew up in. My father is getting up there in years. He takes care of my mother who is slowly developing dementia. Because of this, he also takes care of all financial matters. We want to be prepared for the worst. What are some steps we should take in organizing their finances, so if necessary, I can easily step in to manage their finances for my mother?
Addison from Seattle, WA

Legalities and Paperwork

There’s an old saying that goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Too many people wait until it’s too late to prepare for elderly parents to become disabled or pass away. As a result, things that could have been handled easily become much more complicated and expensive.

The first thing to remember is that if you’re going to have legal authority to act for another person (like your mom or dad), you need to get their approval while they’re alive and mentally competent to give it to you. Obviously that can’t happen after they’ve passed away or are suffering from advanced dementia.

The second thing to remember is that you want to find out where they keep their important papers, who should inherit certain assets, and what medical directives they want while they’re able to tell you.

With that in mind, let’s look at some of the practical steps you’ll want to take.

Preparing To Take Over Financial Affairs

Your goal is to be prepared to take over both the financial and physical affairs for just your mom if your dad should pass away or for both of them if he should become incapacitated.

Let’s begin with the financial. Start by collecting information about all things related to their finances. Assemble a list of all assets and liabilities, including online accounts and passwords. Find out about any bank deposit boxes.

Next list the recurring bills and any that are paid online. Don’t forget any monthly bills that are automatically deducted from their accounts or charged to a credit card.

Talk with your dad about simplifying their finances. It’s common for people to add complexity as years pass. Now is the time to consolidate duplicate accounts. Unless you’re dealing with substantial assets, your parents probably don’t need accounts in more than one or two banks. The same thing is true with brokerage accounts. Look to minimize the number of statements and financial institutions that you need to interact with.

Periodically check their credit report, especially if any outside caregivers are involved. You may want to place a credit freeze. Seniors are often targets for identity theft. If the credit card company sees a credit freeze, they won’t issue a card to an ID thief.

Make sure that wills and/or trusts are up to date. Have your parents make any changes now while they can. There may be some inheritance issues that are touchy. In most cases, it’s better to discuss them now while your parents are able to referee and make final decisions.

The lawyer should prepare papers that will give you the right to act legally on your parents’ behalf. At some point, you may need to have the authority to move money, pay bills, and sign legal documents for them.

Once you have the financial affairs in order, you’ll want to do the same for their physical affairs.

Preparing to Take Over Physical Affairs

Talk with your parents about their home. Plans for their future will be greatly affected by whether they want to stay in their home or move. Be practical. Sometimes what we want simply isn’t practical. For instance, your mom may need more care than your father or even professional caregivers can provide in their home.

Talk with your parents about caregivers. There are many options available, but not all are suited for every situation. Ask questions now so you’ll be able to help select the right caregiver if/when the time comes.

You should list any doctors and pharmacists along with their contact information. Create a list of all medications that your parents are taking.

Also talk with them about medical directives. Now is the time to find out where they draw the line between regular and extraordinary measures.

Related: Care Management for Your Elderly Parent

As our parents age, many of us will take on increasing responsibilities for their physical and financial affairs. But, you’re wise to begin the process while you can discuss the issues with them and line up any necessary legal documents.

• 5 Ways To Help Your Parents With Their Finances
• Helping Elderly Parents Organize Must-Have Financial Paperwork
• Helping an Elderly Parent When Their Mate Dies: Financial Chores
• 5 Ways To Reduce Resistance When Helping Aging Parents With Finances
• Financial Issues for Alzheimer’s Families

Reviewed May 2024

About the Author

Gary Foreman is the former owner and editor of the After50Finances.com website and newsletter. He's been featured in MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, The Nightly Business Report, US News Money, Credit.com and CreditCards.com.