Managing Debt and Finances After a Dementia Diagnosis

What to Do About Dementia Debt and Divorce

Our money expert answers your financial questions

Jane Bryant Quinn is a personal finance expert for AARP. Q: My wife has . When I call to ask about her or credit cards, the reps need her permission to speak with me, which she can't give. What should I do? A:This is a powerful reminder of the need for a . Had your wife given you her POA as soon as she got the diagnosis, you'd have the right to manage her affairs. It might not be too late, says Rebekah Brooker, an attorney with Scheef & Stone in Dallas. People with dementia often have good days as well as bad ones. On a good day, your wife could legally sign a power of attorney. If your wife doesn't have good days, your only option is the complexity of a . Q: When I divorced 12 years ago, my ex agreed to pay the but never did. I am being dunned for money I don't owe. How do I get this off my credit report?

Ask Jane

Jane Bryant Quinn will answer questions about money issues posed by you. To submit a question, send yours to . Due to the volume of mail, Jane cannot provide individual replies. A: Such a short question with so many issues! First, you, too, owed this debt because you're a joint account holder. A divorce agreement doesn't change that. You can't be sued for it because the statute of limitations has presumably run out. But the collection firm that owns your bad debt is still allowed to bill you, which is totally unfair. should drop off your credit report after 7 1/2 years from the first missed payment. But the debt owner might not have told the credit bureau when to start the clock. Use the bureau's website to dispute the bills, says Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney for the National Consumer Law Center — not on the ground that your ex should pay (that won't work) but because they're stale. The bureau will check with the debt's owner, which should solve the problem. is a personal finance expert and author of Making the Most of Your Money NOW. Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures

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