Henry gets help and his son gets caught out

Henry was an 86-year-old widower who had lived in a regional aged care facility for the past four years. It was reported to our team that Henry’s aged care fees had not been paid by his appointed attorney for many months, accruing a $19,000 debt. Our investigator obtained medical information confirming Henry had dementia and was unable to make financial decisions for himself, while a copy of an Enduring Power of Attorney document identified the attorney was Henry’s son.

The aged care facility indicated that Henry’s son had been repeatedly contacted but no payment had been received. Property searches identified that Henry owned a house in the area. His son was living there but not contributing to the property’s upkeep. When asked about this, the son defended himself by saying that as sole beneficiary of his father’s estate he was entitled to the funds.

Our office suspended the financial powers of the attorney and applied to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for the appointment of an administrator. QCAT revoked the Enduring Power of Attorney and appointed an independent financial administrator, and the Public Guardian referred the attorney’s actions to the Queensland Police Service.