My step father and sister made it unbearable to help them care for my mother any longer. So I took steps back to keep my own sanity. My sister and stepfather are keeping me from seeing her. They say I can’t go there. I’m one of the power of attorneys can they do that? My sister pays herself double the amount of hours that she works and pays other people out of my mother's checkbook. I called and reported it but nothing seems to be happening. I don’t know what else to do. Please help!
What exactly did you report and to whom? If you reported only your sister's paying herself twice the amount due for her work - how do you know what hours she does, by the way? - and paying other people - for care? - using your mother's check book, I can see why APS, if that was who you spoke to, didn't think it warranted investigation.
Your stepfather's and sister's isolation of your mother and their preventing you from seeing her is more of a red flag. Unless it's just you they're keeping out, and plenty of other people have access to your mother..?
So what happened? What blew up?
Call an elder attorney, show him your POA paperwork and share what's going on.
Who did you call? APS?
Who does POA list first? Are you the primary or secondary POA?
Your sister can not be "paid" (at least in my state) without court permission if it's strictly her money. However, if it's a joint account with your step-father, then it may be another story.
Who's POA for your step-father? Is he of "sound mind"?
Who are the other people being paid? Caregivers I presume.