Dear Carol: My 82-year-old mother wants to go to her bank to renew a certificate of deposit. She seems competent, but my brother and I feel someone needs to go along with her. The bank has been pressuring her to buy an annuity, and we’re not sure this is wise. Since my brother’s name is on the checking account, he has offered to go along with Mom to do her banking, but she refuses. We respect her independence, but she has made several foolish financial choices in the past, and we’d like to protect her. Are our concerns normal?  - Norma

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