We are two disabled seniors. I have been handling the bills for 30+ years, but now I cannot write out checks or address envelopes due to my poor writing. I'm losing my math skills, as well; and I have home health aides most days. My spouse hasn't done this, so I've been training him for more than a year. Although he is a help in many other areas, he still just can't do this alone. Any ideas for us? Many thanks.
I would definitely research any firms very thoroughly though, and go for the firms with multiple practice areas and good reputations as opposed to single practitioners. There are definitely some good ones, but they typically don't have the resources of larger firms.
If you need help locating a firm, post back, with general information on your location (it's not in your profile).
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/where-do-i-reach-out-to-get-someone-trustworthy-to-help-balance-a-disabled-seniors-checkbook-451651.htm
What experiences have you had in finding someone based on the suggestions made at that time? Were there problems, or issues that couldn't be worked out?
You'll probably get suggestions to make online payments; do you feel comfortable enough on the computer to make payments this way? Do you have a good security system on your computer? If not to either question, are you comfortable making payments by phone?
I just did this for a payment I usually pay in person b/c I've experienced slow processing in the past (and also b/c of stay at home orders), and ended up making a duplicate payment because the online portal managing payments advised that the payment wasn't successfully processed.
When I phone checked, I found the payment was made twice. Now I have to write both my card holder and the payment recipient to reverse the second charge, as well as visit the privacy sections of the company that charges to process the payment, and reverse the second charges.
I won't be doing that again!
You may also get suggestions for automatic deductions of payments. Think carefully about this; some companies are reliable; others aren't. I did this once and would never do it again b/c the company refused to stop charging after I discontinued service.
It wasn't a standard utility bill or something mandatory, but it cost me in the long run, and frankly, I don't have a lot of confidence in some companies one way or the other and wouldn't give them access to any of my accounts other than by specific payment.
Do you have any relatives or friends you could trust?
Call your Office of Aging. Ask if they know of any service like this.
Maybe you will just need to set up automatic withdrawl with your utilities. My Mom was on a budget, so the same amount came out every month. Credit cards? Maybe you can set up an amount with them to be withdrawn every month? Ask your bank what they can offer. Maybe there is someone there who can help set u up, or refer you to someone.
Another is letting a CPA handle your bills but there will probably be a fee.