Assuming she is competent she can execute a Power of Attorney naming your wife as Attorney in fact. Regarding the lawn person if the facts are as you say and the money was drawn down ovewr such a short period then you may have some recourse as an economic crime against your mother. This may run counter to the POA ability I addressed previously. $70,000.00 in only a few months sounds like your mother was taken advantage by the person. I would contact the District Attorney's office in the County your mother resides and see if an action can be maintained. I would also file a police report if the evidence shows all they checks made out to this one person.
Assuming she is competent she can execute a Power of Attorney naming your wife as Attorney in fact. Regarding the lawn person if the facts are as you say and the money was drawn down ovewr such a short period then you may have some recourse as an economic crime against your mother. This may run counter to the POA ability I addressed previously. $70,000.00 in only a few months sounds like your mother was taken advantage by the person. I would contact the District Attorney's office in the County your mother resides and see if an action can be maintained. I would also file a police report if the evidence shows all they checks made out to this one person.