in illinois does a legal document have to be filed with the court before it takes effect

Question

it was a power of attorney form, a decision was made that the person could not handle their financial matters but the person claiming the poa did not take charge of the finances until 6 months later and never disclosed they had taken the action to claim the poa

Answer 1

Who decided the person could not manage their affairs themself? Who made out the POA? A POA must be made out by a lawyer. A doctor must make the diagnosis that a person can not handle their own affairs and a judge has to agree. A person can not just decide to claim POA over another. Get a lawyer.