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<p class="MsoNormal">This is in eastern Washington, farm country. Client's mother died last year; father survives but has mild dementia (short-term memory problems but generally healthy and able to care for himself, though not handle financial matters and can't
maintain the family farm by himself any more). Client has 3 siblings, one of which is DPOA for Dad.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The DPOA has moved Dad from the parents' Washington farm to a 'care home'
<u>in Idaho</u> that actually sounds like somebody's house, where they keep Dad and another individual in a small room on twin beds. DPOA has given the caregiver complete authority to exclude client from the house, restrict phone call access, etc. (Meanwhile,
other possible financial shenanigans, but that's not the point of this post.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please assume Dad wants to be able to see client, and can articulate that, but the caregiver consistently interferes, with DPOA's full knowledge and approval.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Any thoughts on how to proceed in this situation? Two issues:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1. How to challenge DPOA's authority to restrict access to the parent (and delegation of authority to the caregiver)?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2. Jurisdictional problems--moved Dad to Idaho, though domicile is/was Washington.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If it has to come to legal action, I'm considering Vulnerable Adult petition for Protection Order under RCW 74.34.110, and petition re DPOA under RCW 11.94.090. But this restricted-access issue seems a little different from straight financial
exploitation or obvious, physical abuse/neglect.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Many thanks for your thoughts!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eric<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">SAYRE LAW OFFICES, PLLC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1320 University St<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Seattle WA 98101-2837<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">phone 206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">fax 206-625-9040<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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