I showed my drivers license, gave my social and address, and I believe I signed something but honestly, not sure, I must have but my mind was elsewhere, we had just left an attorneys office and I had been signing papers there, sounds stupid and it is.

This must sound strange, so briefly, I want to tell you, I dated this man 37 years ago and we amiably parted ways. I found him again only last January in the clutches of a controlling housekeeper/ caregiver but now he is 83, has a pacemaker, neuropathy , can hardly walk. His family and wife are dead, he has no body in this world. I refused to let the housekeeper chase me away, Iknew something was horribly wrong there. He was bankrolling her big time, she still owes him money, meanwhile, he had worries about having enough money to support himself independently in his one little bedroom apartment in the apartment house he used to own when I knew him. He made a new will naming me to inherit, and put me on the bank account and took the controlling housekeeper off. I have no idea really what he does have to do for him, and I think I need know how to guide him in expenses. His total possessions as I see it are a few pieces of old, outrageous furniture that i'd donate or just toss out, and I suspect that he has very little money left also. I am thinking that I would like to know just how many months rent left that he has. Meanwhile, the Controller just up and quit and returned his keys so i have taken over cleaning the apartment, looking after his dog and cat's litter box, and doing his laundry. It's not much to be honest, he has very little, uses very little, and I also shop for him now. I did not want this position nor the responsibility either but here it is. I guess it made him feel better to name me in his will and to give me power of attorney and whatever it is to make medical decisions if he is unable - i e to pull or not to pull the plug. It was then that we went at the bank at his insistence. I was too polite to ask the amount involved and I was not told. Funny how we have attitude when ti comes to money. Anyway, it has occurred to me that I should have the info of the account number as well as how much he has to live on. Even though I am the only person in his life at this point, he has to be somewhat uncomfortable to have put such trust into my hands, or into any hands, after what he has lived in his lifetime. I would be.

I don't want to make a fool of myself and walk into the bank without the account number but I also don't want to distress my dear friend from the past by asking him either. Everybody it sounds like has had their hands in his pockets and I am not in that category. I let him do this because I know it makes him feel better , like he is not just now a helpless old man. I have to drive, he can't, and open doors, he uses a walker, so I try to give him as much dignity as I can. He was always a kind and good person, a gentleman and I remember well, even though there was no passion for me 37 years ago, I remember the kindness and goodness of my friend. So there it is. I am 73 myself and who knows if I will survive him even anyway.

I was a little more resourceful, looked for and got the account number and opened an account on line. He has not much in this one account, so now I understand why he is concerned with his expenses and I can help out more. There are 2 other accounts also , hopefully he has enough funds to live out his days in peace and independently, with me helping him.

Today we went to another bank and my dear Viejo put me on the account as Joint. I have no idea how much he has in it but shall know shortly. I have been remarkably important to his life so far and that is a lot to say for anybody. I am helping now with the law suite against his step son for the contents of a safe deposit box of his deceased wife, and hopefully he will be able to live his days out in peace, The only failure is not trying. Thanks, Gina