The short answer
A power of attorney for money ends when the person who signed it dies, so the one signed by the parent who died has ended. Your surviving parent's own power of attorney is a separate paper. If it named the parent who died as agent, check whether it names a backup.
If there is no backup, your parent can ask a lawyer whether to sign a new one while they are able to decide. Whether money and health care need separate papers depends on the state. And no power of attorney lets anyone manage Social Security.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
In the full chapter
The chapter explains what exists and what to ask, then ends with what to do, what can wait so you can set it aside, and who can answer the questions that are yours alone.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’, courts’ and organizations’ own pages in October 2026. Where a rule differs by state, the book names one state as an example. Check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 6: Your Surviving Parent
This page has the short answer from chapter 3. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 3 to 24 after the death.
Questions near this one
Other questions on related subjects, from this book and the others.
- What happens with Social Security payments after the death? Book 3, Their Money
- When can I hand out the inheritance? Book 2, Being in Charge
- Who can sell the house, and what does it take? Book 4, Their House
- Who is in charge this time? Book 7, The Second Parent
Hear when Your Surviving Parent is out
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