To protect the assets of a relative with dementia, one may be named agent on a power of attorney or as trustee of a revocable trust to a court may appoint a guardian of the estate.

Q: My sister has dementia. We recently learned that her checking account is overdrawn $150, and she has only $72 in savings. We are concerned that her credit card debt may be soaring. Soon she will receive about $10,000 as an inheritance. She does not want us to know the state of her finances, and she would resist giving up control. What can we do to protect her assets?

A: You could try talking to her to see if she will agree to name you as agent on a power of attorney or as trustee of a revocable trust. But if that does not work, the only other option is to go to........

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