DEAR ABBY: This concerns "Hurt Brother in Ohio," who has been given power of attorney by his mother.
I would ask the brother who has the power of attorney to be broadminded in regard to his older, smarter (his words) and angry brother. I suspect a long-standing anger has affected the mother herself, and perhaps all her children. The angry brother may be silent, but I'll bet he has a story to tell.
If the mother is 90, these brothers are not kids. Both of these men have possibly spent years being compared to each other, and it has served neither of them well. It's way too late for the mother to sort it out, if what I surmise contains a seed of truth.
Dutiful brother asked for a suggestion. I have one: Would it be possible for the dutiful brother to force objectivity on the situation by hiring a service to handle the bill-paying and accounting? The service can send statement copies to any and all parties. The dutiful brother could then avoid further hostility by sincere refusal to regard the power of attorney as other than a formality that he need not act upon. -- A READER WHO HAS BEEN THERE IN DENVER
DEAR READER: I'm printing your suggestion with the hope that "Hurt Brother" sees it. It could be comforting.