Recently, we started discussing what Dementia caregivers need to know about estate planning and what this means for their ability to protect their wishes through an estate plan. We covered:
However, as Dementia progresses, estate planning must become more proactive and strategic than ever to avoid court and conflict over your loved one's wishes in the future. If Dementia becomes too advanced before planning is complete, the question of who will manage your loved one's assets and care will be left to a judge who doesn't know your loved one or their wishes.
Keep reading to learn what steps need to be considered when estate planning for someone with more advanced Dementia.
If your loved one's cognitive capacity is in question, seeking a professional evaluation is a prudent and proactive step in the estate planning process. Schedule an appointment with your loved one's primary care physician or a specialist in dementia care to assess their mental state and make a recommendation on your loved one's ability to make estate planning decisions.
During this evaluation, the medical professional will talk to your loved one and ask them questions about their everyday life, how aware they are of their circumstances, and what they would do in certain situations, such as if a stranger came to the door or if a pipe burst in their home.
Your loved one doesn't need to remember every detail about their life to benefit from the evaluation. The professional will be most concerned with your loved one's ability to analyze a scenario and make a thoughtful decision on how to respond. For example, your loved one may not remember what day of the week it is but may remember they shouldn't open the door for a stranger.
Receiving a report from your loved one's doctor stating they have the cognitive ability to make estate planning decisions (at least when they are in a lucid state) protects their ability to make decisions for their finances and healthcare. It dissuades any future debate from third parties as to whether your loved one could make a plan in the first place.
It may be second nature to help your loved one with appointments, especially if hearing and memory troubles make it difficult for them to follow along. But as much as possible, allow your loved one to meet with their lawyer independently. A private meeting between your loved one and their lawyer will allow them to express their wishes without external influence.
Even if you have your loved one's best intentions at heart and they would prefer to have you present during the meetings, encouraging your loved one to have private conversations with their lawyer when possible helps avoid questions about whether or not you influenced their estate planning decisions.
If it isn't feasible for your loved one to have an entire meeting with their lawyer alone, make sure they at least have opportunities to talk to their attorney privately by leaving the room while your attorney confirms their wishes.
Be sure to document every time your loved one meets alone with their lawyer and ask their lawyer to document it as well.
Unfortunately, errors that occur at the time an estate plan is signed are common. Every state has different laws for how estate planning documents are executed, how they can be signed, and what witnesses or notaries are required to make the document binding.
If your loved one's plan isn't executed correctly, it can result in your family needing to involve a judge to determine whether the estate plan is still valid. This also creates an opportunity for family members to question whether your loved one had the mental capacity to create the plan at all.
Documenting your loved one's capacity when the estate plan documents are signed is also essential. Ensure that their lawyer reviews the documents carefully with your loved one before they sign them, that the documents reflect your loved one's wishes, and that your loved one is creating the plan of their own free will.
If you have any concerns about other family members questioning your loved one's estate planning decisions or mental state at the time, ask your loved one and their attorney if they could record the signing meeting to dispel any claims that your loved one was coerced into planning or didn't know what they were signing.
If your loved one received a dementia diagnosis and hasn't addressed their legal matters, don't despair - but act fast. Even in the advanced stages of Dementia, individuals may have moments when they can participate in decision-making and estate planning. But, due to the progressive nature of Dementia, time is of the essence for your loved one to create an estate plan, and the sooner they plan, the easier it will be for them to get the help they need as their condition progresses.
In cases where your loved one's capacity is severely diminished, and estate planning hasn't been completed, your family will need to pursue a court guardianship. This legal arrangement involves a court appointing a legal guardian who assumes responsibility for making decisions for the person with Dementia. This process can be stressful, and the court may appoint someone your loved one never would have wanted to manage their assets or healthcare decisions.
To ensure your loved one's wishes are documented before it's too late, I invite you to book a call with my office today. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate guidance and legal expertise to ensure the well-being and wishes of your loved one are preserved.
(By Appointment Only)
14425 Falcon Head Blvd
Bldg E-100
Austin, TX 78738
