The doctor and I knew getting Annie to the hospital would not be easy. We needed the family's help. But until we could put our plan into action, Annie was still on her own—and still driving.
She tried to pay for groceries with her Medicare card and looked for gasoline at a clothing store.
We knew she had to stop driving.
I checked her Red Estate Planning Binder. Almost everything was in her trust—except her car.
The family began our detective work. We searched for the car keys and title but could not find either one. Using her Financial Power of Attorney, I discovered there was still a lien listed on the car, even though it had been paid off years earlier.
To transfer the car into the trust, I needed the original lien release.
There was just one problem. The bank that made the loan had gone out of business during the Great Recession.
(No, I am not making this up. I practice law for a living.)
After three weeks, I found the bank that had taken over its assets. They located the old loan and provided the lien release. Finally, we transferred the car into the trust.
Why go through all this trouble?
Because the car had value, and simply taking someone else's car can create legal problems. Once the car belonged to the trust, the trustee could legally take possession of it.
Meanwhile, Annie was still driving. We knew it was only a matter of time before she hurt herself or someone else. I increased her liability insurance coverage and hoped for the best.
Then we made a plan.
At 6:00 one morning, we would meet a tow truck at Annie's house and have the car taken to the dealership. The dealer could service it and sell it.
We arrived at Annie's house early that morning.
What we saw shocked us.
Let’s continue.
Ilene