Managing Finances for a Loved One

At some point, you may need to handle money matters for someone else—a parent with declining health, an adult child with a disability, or a spouse managing a serious illness. This might mean paying bills, managing accounts, making investment decisions, or understanding what legal authority you actually have. The financial and legal structures around this are real, and getting them right protects both you and the person you're caring for.

These guides explain how to set up the right legal documents before a crisis hits, what to do if you're already managing someone's finances, how to keep detailed records, and how to handle common situations like accessing bank accounts or making healthcare-related financial decisions. You'll also learn the difference between power of attorney, guardianship, and other arrangements—and which one fits your actual situation.