4 Steps to Managing Your Parents’ Bank Accounts

As your parents grow older, they might find it moredifficult to manage their bank accounts. The consequences can pile up quickly: unpaid bills, inactive account fees and steep overdraft charges.

Your parents might be reluctant to ask for assistance— after all, they’re used to helpingyou out and not the other way around — so you’ll probably have to initiate the conversation. Once you’ve convinced them you should be involved in their finances, shift your attention to the following tasks.

At-a-glance checklist

[ ] Get authorized as a durable power of attorney.
[ ] Figure out how many bank accounts your parentshave.
[ ] Track downother banking products.
[ ] Enroll in online bill pay and take advantage of other tech tools.

1. Set up a durable power of attorney

Adurable power of attorneylets you make financial decisions on your parents’ behalf. To get them on board, highlight how you’re trying to make their lives a little easier. They’ll still have access to their accounts, but so will you.

Unlike a standard power of attorney, a durable power of attorney remains valid even if one of your parents becomes incapacitated. Free durable power of attorney forms might be available on your state’s website or elsewhere online. Your state might require you to have them notarized. Some financial advisorsrecommend working with a lawyer, which could cost a few hundred dollars.

Complete this paperwork as soon as possible; a diagnosis of dementia, for example, could impair your mom or dad’s ability to act on his or herown behalf, says Colleen Kavanaugh, a certified caregiving consultant.

“If an attorney sees that an individual is not fully cognizant, you will have to go through the lengthy and expensive process of establishing legal guardianship over them,” Kavanaugh says.

» MORE: Long-term care and wealth planning for aging parents

2. Identify bank accounts

Next, get an overview of your parents’ checking and savings accounts. If they aren’t able to provide a complete picture, consider other tactics for getting the information.

“Look at previous tax returns to see what firms are listed that pay interest and dividends,” says Jim Ludwick, a certified financial planner. “The supporting statements might also be available to provide account numbers and contact information.”

Ludwick also recommends reviewingchecking account statements to see where your parents have made payments or deposits.

“This may lead you to additional accounts or people to whom loans have been made and should be making repayments,” he says.

3. Look beyond basic accounts

Besides checking and savings accounts, your parents might have other bank-related products, such ascertificates of depositand safe deposit boxes. When it comes to the latter, Kavanaugh recommends adding your name to the box. You should know where the key is and what’s inside.

Know the maturity date of anyCDs. If you miss it,the bank might automatically renew the CD for the same term length. You’ll owe early withdrawal feesif you access the money beforehand.

4. Embrace technology

Overseeing a new set of bank accounts requires some work, and you’ll want to make the job as easy as possible.

Start by downloading the mobile apps from your parents’ banksso you can monitor their account activity. Consider setting up text alerts to notify you oflarge deposits or withdrawals. Lastly, think aboutsigning your parents up for online bill pay.

“Move all paper billing to electronic billing — to your email address,” Kavanaugh says.

Managing your parents’ bank accounts is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one. Doing the necessary preparationwill give you a solid overview of their finances and go a long way in ensuring that their money remains in good hands.

» MORE: Introduction to online and mobile banking

Tony Armstrong is a staff writer at NerdWallet, a personal finance website. Email: tony@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @tonystrongarm.

The article 4 Steps to Managing Your Parents’ Bank Accounts originally appeared on NerdWallet.