I am a co-signer or joint-account holder on my Mom's checking, savings, and credit card accounts. I'm also listed by name on her Springing Power of Attorney (which has not been activated as she is still pretty aware) and her Living Trust (for when she is gone) and with her health insurance (so I can make those calls for her and help her with that). Do I also need to get a formal power of attorney to do her financial business? What would that do for us that we haven't already taken care of? And, if it's needed, how do I do that? Do I have to go to a lawyer? I've been doing her bookkeeping and financial business for over a year now with no significant problems, except some entities ask to talk to her, so I have to be at her house to do those things (I visit once a month, I'm 120 miles away).