C A….I had power of attorney for all things for both my parents, and we had a trust so as to bypass Probate. But not all companies that we dealt with KNEW that, when I needed to contact them about similar issues that you are concerned with. I left Houston, back to Michigan, when it became necessary for me to take care of my parents—-so no one here, even KNEW me. So when I needed to make those calls, I did so when my father was home. I told him that I was going to make the call, I told him why, and told him what I wanted to know from them, and what I intended to do…..he was to stand by me,when I made the call….because they needed to speak with him, to get his permission to speak to me. These financial companies often record the conversations, when permission is granted over the phone, to protect them from liability. My dad wasn’t stubborn, he just wasn’t comfortable doing these sort of things, as my mother had always handled these sort of details, and he didn’t know where to start, or what he should know, or what questions to ask…..and he was VERY thankful that I was willing to help him understand and do the dirty work. The key that unlocked the door to willing, however, was that I was very honest with him, and above board, before I made the call. And occasionally, when I first came back home, he checked to see if I did what I sad I was going to do. IF your mother is willing to tell them they can talk to you—-maybe she doesn;t hear to well over the phone, she can say….you can always ask them to mail answers to specific questions to her home, if they will not speak with you.