Just a final update, I wrote the Probate Court in Cuyahoga County, Ohio and got this back.
"I'm not sure who to contact or how to go about requesting Power of Attorney over my brother.
His name is xxx and address is xxxxx. I received a call from the Bedford police on Sunday April 15, 2009 stating that they had found my brother unconscious lying on the street somewhere in Bedford. He was admitted to Hillcrest Hospital, in Cleveland in a comatose state and later transferred to the ICU at Cleveland Clinic. He has not regained consciousness and has had several seizures since being there. They believe he has encephalitis and his prognosis is not good. At best, if he can survive he will require nursing home care for an extended time if not for the rest of his life. I am the only living relative left in out family and want to be able to take care of his financial and medical needs. I live in xxx, PA, about 350 miles away and don't know what I need to do. I have very limited financial means to visit or hire an attorney and frankly wouldn't know where to start. I was advised to contact the Court in his jurisdiction for advice and am doing so with this email. I am in the office until 3:45 M-F and can be reached at home at xxx. If somebody can give me a call or email with advice it will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
"We do not grant powers of attorney in the probate court. Powers of attorney must be granted by an competent person and if your brother is not conscious, you cannot be his POA. You could apply to be his guardian in this court. This would require you coming here for a hearing. For advice or questions on how to get started, please contact the Guardianship Department"
So basically there is nothing I can do. I can?t afford another trip over there or to hire an attorney here. I?ll have to let the state do whatever they think best. So that means his bills won?t be paid, taxes, etc. I appreciate the people here who gave me the advice, Thanks.