Power Of Attorney After Death

[shivvy]

My mother has Alzheimers and my sister has Power of Attorney, so my sister pays mums bills etc. We were chatting today and wondered what happens to the PoA when mum dies. I have had a quick look online and it seems to say that the PoA is dissolved when the person dies. But we would need to access mums finances to pay for funeral costs etc.
So I am looking for some advice about what happens in that situation.
2 other sisters are executors of mums will so does that come into play somehow?
Cant really believe that we haven't thought about this before now, but mum is near the end now unfortunately and we want to make sure that we are prepared in all aspects when the time comes. Thanks.

[237SJ]

That is when Probate will come into play but that depends how much money your Mum has and the criteria set by her bank

[woofgang]

yes, on the death of the testator, POA is dissolved and responsibility passes to the executor(s)

[bednobs]

you can usually access money to pay for funeral bills with a death certiificate i think. M husband who did not have any grant of representation did that for his mum's estate and the bank issued a cheque for the funeral directors

[Tilly2]

Power of Attorney stops after the death but, as has has been said before, the bank will release any funds needed for the funeral.

[Tilly2]

The grant of representation, issued by the Probate Office, will allow the executors to access and distribute the funds from the estate, according to The Will.

[sandmaster]

Bednobs and Tilly2 are correct - the bank will release funds for essential bills - the funeral bill being one. Possibly house insurance renewal to protect the estate's assets. But they will either pay the bills direct or by cheque payable to the funeral director, insurance company etc. The executors named in the will need to apply for probate before they are able to administer the estate.

[shivvy]

Thanks for the great advice.
Another query then - will mums direct debits continue to be paid by her bank?

[woofgang]

My experience is that once the bank is aware if her death, then the account becomes frozen and nothing will be paid out. Banks do have certain latitude over what they do with the account of a deceased person and if there is something that is essential then they may be prepared to release funds for that. but all direct debits and standing orders cease. Again from my experience, companies are aware of this and will wait for payment. What the executors need to do is inform companies who have been receiving automated payments from your mother. Most of them will have a bereavement department or service.