{"id":6687,"date":"2025-07-27T22:56:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T02:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/?p=6687"},"modified":"2025-07-27T22:56:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T02:56:10","slug":"power-of-attorney-or-guardianship-for-older-adults-confront-and-avert-misuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/power-of-attorney-or-guardianship-for-older-adults-confront-and-avert-misuse\/","title":{"rendered":"Power of Attorney or Guardianship for Older Adults: Confront and Avert Misuse"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-style-rounded is-style-rounded--1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/power-of-attorney-or-guardianship-for-older-adults.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6688\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/power-of-attorney-or-guardianship-for-older-adults.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/power-of-attorney-or-guardianship-for-older-adults-300x152.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/power-of-attorney-or-guardianship-for-older-adults-1024x518.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/power-of-attorney-or-guardianship-for-older-adults-768x388.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it\u2019s apparent that a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/articles\/conveying-real-estate-through-a-power-of-attorney\/\">power of attorney<\/a> is being improperly used, is there any recourse? Here, we explore this important question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Entrusted to Act<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older adults might want a designated friend or relative to hold <em>power of attorney <\/em>(POA) for them.<em> &nbsp;<\/em>In this way, they have someone who can take care of their business when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a <em>durable power of attorney<\/em>, an agent may continue to act for a person who no longer can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-5-background-color has-background has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><em><strong>Here is an example of the <\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/forms\/california\/special-durable-power-of-attorney-for-the-sale-of-property\/\"><strong><em>durable power of attorney<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em><strong> for transferring a deed in California. See more <\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deeds.com\/\"><strong><em>state forms on our website<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em><strong>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alternatively, a court may order a <em>conservatorship<\/em> or <em>guardianship<\/em> for an elder who\u2019s been found to have already lost capacity to sign legal agreements and make weighty decisions. Until that court-issued&nbsp; determination, an older adult retains the legal ability to carry out transactions. Transferring a deed is just one example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you give an agent the authority to transfer your real estate deed, the agent has a duty to act with due care, and in your best interest. A court can invalidate a POA if it finds your agent wielding power improperly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Constitutes Improper Pressure on Older Adults? States Take Specific Approaches to Undue Influence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Petitions for guardianships or conservatorships, as well as powers of attorney in the context of disputed wills, trusts, or property transfers can all become problematic. The typical problem is undue influence.&nbsp; When an agent starts exerting pressure on an older adult, it\u2019s hard to know when a line has been crossed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And because influencing tends to occur in private, it can be even harder to call out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vulnerability to undue influence is commonly a factor when a court establishes a formal conservatorship to protect a person who had given a friend or relative power of attorney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what exactly is undue influence? It involves a relationship of trust, in which one person puts their own desires first \u2014 not the interests of the vulnerable adult. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">California: Exemplary Definition of Undue Influence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Excessive persuasion, overcoming someone\u2019s free will, taking unfair advantage&#8230; All of these actions fit California\u2019s definition of undue influence. A fact-finder might consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The vulnerability of the person being influenced to the influencer\u2019s affection or pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The influencer\u2019s role in a (personal or professional) position of trust. \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The use of control over information, drugs, necessities, social interactions, or sleep.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Actions that change personal or property rights in a surprising or unfair way.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are just examples, and not all have to exist in order to show that undue influence was in play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What does this look like in real life? Imagine a daughter, living with her father. She isolates the older adult from other relatives. She has convinced him to pay her for caregiving. Under her pressure, he ultimately writes a will that leaves her his home and investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the father dies, his other children challenge the will. The court finds undue influence. A jury decides that the fair thing to do is to distribute the father\u2019s estate equally among his offspring, rather than let the \u201cinfluencer\u201d receive everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoid Misuse of Protective Authority to Sign Documents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To avoid misuse of the power you grant, you must understand it. Consult a lawyer of your choice if you\u2019re unsure of the meaning of any part of the power of attorney form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You and your designated agent will both sign the form, as with a contract. Your agent must promise to act according to your expectations, to the extent the agent knows your wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Your agent must act in your best interest, and within the scope of authority you\u2019ve granted in the document. You are free to set limits on that authority.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are asked to be someone\u2019s agent, know that the power of attorney has safeguards. Courts can step in to advise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Undue Influence in Real Life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A will came before the Middlesex, Massachusetts probate and family court in 2023. The issue before the court was whether the deceased, Montana Jasiul, who had been under a conservatorship, lacked capacity to sign the will. The will disinherited the deceased\u2019s closest family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Someone can sign a will while under conservatorship. But again, there are guardrails. They involve family law and probate judges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the court first established the conservatorship, a psychiatrist had told the court how Jasiul had proved vulnerable to influence, suffered from dementia, and had already fallen victim to manipulation that resulted in a serious financial loss. So, the court decree stated that an independent psychiatrist was to evaluate Jasiul, to determine will-making capacity. The probate judge found that the psychiatric evaluation never took place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was a <em>psychologist<\/em>\u2019s letter in the file, vouching for Jasiul\u2019s capacity. But that was drafted <em>five months before<\/em> Jasiul executed the will. Testimony indicated that Jasiul was behaving erratically at the time of the signing. The will was set aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Doubt? Ask the Court\u2019s Opinion First<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As an agent, you may petition the court for guidance. This way, the court will let you know what the boundaries are, so you won\u2019t act beyond them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can always ask your own lawyer to petition the court for expanded authorities when necessary. That includes the authority to sign a will or convey the real estate deed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a court must make a determination for a vulnerable person, it can name a <em>guardian ad litem<\/em> to investigate facts, ascertain the older adult\u2019s best interest, and speak to the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court can determine whether a protected can sign a deed, will, or other document \u2014 or whether an agent\u2019s signature is a must-have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-5-background-color has-background has-small-font-size is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supporting References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pat Murphy for <em>Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly<\/em> (Bridge Tower Media): <a href=\"https:\/\/masslawyersweekly.com\/2024\/10\/17\/probate-judge-finds-will-made-under-conservatorship-invalid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Testamentary Capacity &#8211; Probate Judge Finds Will Made Under Conservatorship Invalid<\/a> (Oct. 17, 2024; describing the case of Estate of Jasiul Montana).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And as linked.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/high-angle-shot-of-elderly-woman-looking-at-her-vintage-photos-8087724\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yaroslav Shuraev<\/a>, via Pexels\/Canva.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it\u2019s apparent that a power of attorney is being improperly used, is there any recourse? Here, we explore this important question.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6688,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[107],"tags":[2586,2599,1322,984,2602,264,395,1855,2601,2603,1802,2600,2061,1805],"class_list":["post-6687","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-elder","tag-conservatorship","tag-court-intervention","tag-elder-abuse","tag-elder-law","tag-elder-rights","tag-estate-planning","tag-financial-exploitation","tag-guardianship","tag-legal-safeguards","tag-poa-misuse","tag-power-of-attorney","tag-senior-protection","tag-undue-influence","tag-vulnerable-adults"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Power of Attorney or Guardianship for Older Adults: Confront and Avert Misuse - Deeds.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to prevent power of attorney misuse and recognize undue influence against older adults. 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