Problems with Bank of America

[John Wilde]

On May 28th my mother passed away at 67 years old.
My wife and I became responsible for the care of my 88 year old grandmother. July 1st her rest home decided to give us 30 days notice on kicking her out. We find her a new place for $4500 a month and we think things are fine. I go to the bank with a power of attorney and they will not let me create a account for her. They told me that if she had an account I would be able to get on it as a signer. I find an account she has with them that the back could or would not find. I go back with my mother's death certificate, Power of Attorney for my grandmother, the account statement for my grandmother's account. I sit there for about 2 hours durring my work day! They fax all my papers to their legal department. They the tell me that they can't help me and that my power of attorney is not specific enough. I liquidate my savings account to pay for her nurseing home. Keep in mind my wife has been sick and out of work for 5 months! Anyway I called a couple people regarding the POA.

-Wachovia Bank- excepted it for trust information
-Franklin Templeton- excepted it to sell off $10,000 in principle
-CFS( Financial Consultant) - excepted to give me access to her accounts
Her accountent- excepted it to give me access to her tax returns

Basically what I am saying is that Bank of America is not allowing my to take care of my grandmother using her hard earned money and making me broke and crazy and the same time!

 

[PNYKLR]

I think thats crap if you have power of attorney for your grandmother they should be able to open up a new account and transfer the $ over into a newaccount if they cant add you as a signer on the current account. I would ask to speak to someone else or even try a different branch you may be surprised and get different results. I know here they would not add my mother to my brothers account when my dad died, they said he would have to open a whole new account. This is a last resort, but is your grandmother capable of going to the branch?

 

[John Wilde]

I thought about that but decided against it because the leagal dapartment was a national level department. I spoke to my brother that is a business owner. He had me talk to his account rep at a local owned bank. She called me several time and excepted my faxed information. She is setting the account up as we speak so my brother and I only have to sign a form for the account to be activated. Keep in mind that I did not even step foot into this bank yet. Once things slow down in taking care of my mother estate and my grandmother's care I will be dumping Bank of America like a bad habbit! This is a perfect example of a big company not wanting or needing our business. My Grandmother had accounts with them for almost 60years.
Way to go customer service!!!!

 

[PNYKLR]

But will you be able to access the $ from her account at a future date?

 

[John Wilde]

No, I don't think so. I am not going to pay the lawyer to make another POA for them. They could just deny it again. I will pray to god I can get my sick grandmother to sign a check to me or her new account at the other bank. Once finished my family and extened family will not do business with Bank of America again.

 

[PNYKLR]

I would say have her (if she is capable) sign a check payable to
you or whomever is power of attorney then close the account -
the power of attorney has to be specific as to what its for - I just called my mom (she has it for my grandmother) . I would if possible call back the lawyer and tell them that it is not the right power of attorney form and explain the bank situation see what he/she says.

 

[John Wilde]

Chris,

Thanks for your help.
It seems that the bank is the problem not the POA.
The other bank had no problem with it.
The other bank should have the new account set up on Friday.
I will try and have her sign the check. She has dementia that get worse as the day goes on. We are trying to get dr's notes from Kaiser to so that my brother and I can replace my deceased mother as trustee.

As soon as grandma is taken care of, we need to address about 50 accounts for my mother.

Did I mention that neither one filed their taxes for 2001.
I get to clean that up too!!!

 

[PNYKLR]

I know the dementia thing my grandmother has dementia so I definetly know the deal - good luck any time