Dear Len & Rosie,

After my father's death, my mother Greta gave my brother Stephen a durable power of attorney. Mom was never all that good with finances, and all of us agreed that it would be better for Stephen to take care of things in case anything bad happened to her.

Now I am wondering if my brother has exceeded his authority. He borrowed almost all of her life savings, over $32,000, to keep his home out of foreclosure.

Stephen signed a note for the money and agreed to pay interest at 10% per year. Mom has since reduced the interest to 7%. The problem is that she does not even know how much money Stephen pays each month, because he handles all of her finances. Mom hasn't seen a checkbook or account statement since 1989.

I don't know what I can do. Mom hasn't got Alzheimer's or anything and she seems happy with Stephen handling her money. I don't know if I should sue or just leave it alone.

Edward

Dear Len & Rosie,

When I married my husband we had separate homes. Mine was upside down and I wanted to keep it until it turned around but he wanted to get rid of it. I said I would do that if he would put me on the deed to his home in joint tenancy, which he did. We don't have wills or a trust and I've been trying to get him to do one. He seems to think when he dies, half the house is mine and half belongs to his kids only. We've been married more than 14 years and I've spent lots of money repairing and fixing up this old house. He feels it's all his and his daughters and I feel it's ours and then divided equally between our five kids when we're both gone. What does the law say?

Cheryl

Power of Attorney

Joint Property

Tillem McNichol & Brown