Hi. Thank you for your question. It's a good one. There are important parts of this situation that need to be known before giving you legal advice. Yes, whatever powers your father gave to another person, ended when your dad passed away. If your dad gave those powers to your uncle, your uncle's powers to handle YOUR DAD'S AFFAIRS died when you dad died. The death certificate is public record. Is your mother competent to handle her own affairs? It sounds like she also give your uncle power of attorney to handle HER affairs. Depending upon the wording of the power SHE gave your uncle, and what he is doing, he might be acting properly. If your mom is competent, she has the legal right to revoke the power of attorney SHE gave your uncle. I do not know whether or not doing so would be wise at this time, as I'd need more information. I would need to know the ways your uncle is not keeping your mother informed and I would need to review the power of attorney before giving an opinion.

If I can help, feel free to call me directly. I'm just across the 'hill' from you. Roberta Avrutin, Esq. 323.653.3900

The person with authority to deal with insurance and the death certificate would be dad's next of kin. The person authorized to make a claim on the insurance would be the beneficiary. That presumable would be your mom for both, not your dad. So the expiration of your father's grant of a POA to your uncle is irrelevant to those issues. Your mom is still alive. Your uncle holds her power of attorney, which is still in effect. Whether the power extends authority to do what he is doing, depends on the exact terms of the POA, but your mother's POA granted to him is still in effect.