With debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer’s on the increase, the question of whether or not a person has mental capacity to make a Will frequently arises. Jack Haskew, Wills and Probate specialist at KWW Solicitors, explains the rules.
Assessing mental capacity
Mental capacity, in the context of making a Will, broadly relates to whether a person is capable of:
- Understanding what making a Will means and its effect;
- Appreciating the extent of his or her assets; and
- Considering potential beneficiaries in a fair and objective way, unaffected by any condition that might affect his or her judgment.
If they cannot do these things, then they may not have sufficient mental capacity to make a Will. However, determining this is not always straightforward. Mental capacity, particularly in the earlier stages of a condition such as dementia, can fluctuate from day-to-day and the extent of a person’s understanding may not always be clear. It is possible for a person to lack mental capacity to manage their financial affairs but to have mental capacity to make a Will, as the tests that are applied are different.
Can a letter from a doctor help avoid uncertainty?
Where there is uncertainty over a person’s mental capacity, or there is any possibility that a question mark might arise over this after their death, it is advisable to obtain a medical certificate of capacity. A GP should be able to provide this or, if in doubt, they will refer the person to a specialist who can do so. A certificate of mental capacity should be sufficient to deal with any challenges to a Will on the grounds of lack of mental capacity after a person’s death.
What if my loved one has already lost mental capacity?
If a person has already lost mental capacity, an application to the Court of Protection may be necessary for a statutory Will to be prepared on their behalf. This is a Will made by the court, in the best interests of your loved one and taking account of:
- Their past and present wishes and feelings, and in particular any relevant written statement made by them when they had capacity;
- Any previous wills and letters of wishes; and
- Any beliefs, values or other considerations that would have been likely to influence what they would have wanted if they had capacity to decide matters for themselves.
The Court of Protection is most likely to approve a statutory Will if the person concerned has never made a Will before or if there has been a significant change in their circumstances since their last Will was prepared.
How can we avoid the question of mental capacity becoming a problem?
If you suspect your loved one may be beginning to lose mental capacity, or they are in the early stages of an illness such as dementia, it is important not to delay seeing a lawyer to start the process of making a Will. Consideration should also be given to creating a Lasting Power of Attorney, giving a friend or relative power to look after your loved one’s affairs when they no longer have mental capacity to do so themselves. An ‘advance decision’ can also be made to confirm the treatments that should and should not be administered, including life-sustaining treatment.
For a confidential discussion about Wills and mental capacity issues, please contact Alvin David via the KWW website www.kww.co.uk
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.
