YOU HAVE THE POWER

You Have the Power. August 2020. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. The lady in the parking lot was excited: “Thank you! You don’t know how much you’ve helped us.” I was taken aback, but rose to the occasion: “Certainly!” I must have looked puzzled, because she laughed and...

FUMBLING THE BUSINESS

By Tim Barkley. July 2020. “I have a buyer for my husband’s work van, and he can’t sign because he has dementia. We need the money. What can I do?” “We have a buyer for my mom’s business, but she just had a stroke and can’t sign papers. What do we need to do?” The...

CONSTERNATION

Consternation. March 2019. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. “Well, thank you for your time, your Honor.”  The hearing on emergency guardianship had concluded in manner not entirely satisfactory to Susan and her brothers. “All rise!” directed the bailiff, as the judge...

SURPRISE!

Surprise! January 2019. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. Susan’s voice was urgent: “I’m at my mom’s place at the assisted living.  The social worker just told me that Mom signed a new power of attorney and replaced me.  Our sister Mary, who hasn’t...

GUARDIANSHIP

Guardianship. July 2018. By Timothy S. Barkley, Sr. The lawyer’s telephone rang.  A man’s voice on the other end spoke urgently: “My name is Henry Jones.  My mother, Ophelia Jones, fell yesterday and is in the hospital.  I saw a power of attorney on her desk with your...