When an elderly family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s related dementia, it is time to discuss the details of legacy, financial, and estate planning. While connecting a loved one with support services is the priority when their memory is beginning to fade from age, formation or modification of financial and estate planning to meet their needs during their last years is often a key family decision. No matter how well an elderly family member has planned for financial and estate distributions, review of those plans to accommodate the expense of residential treatment or other medically related support costs will ensure that an elder is taken care properly while alive; as well as cover memorial and funeral costs at time of death. A licensed attorney can assist with the formation of a combined financial, estate, and legacy plan to suit an elder’s needs.
Law of Diminished Capacity
Within U.S. federal law, the definition of “diminished capacity” applies to incapacitated parties no longer exhibiting full mental ability. If an elder lacks the ability to make routine decisions about complex matters, they may be suffering from memory loss or dementia related to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Patients diagnosed with dementia still have legal rights to their property and assets. Spouses of incapacitated parties are the primary decision makers under law. According to New York rules of intestate succession EPTL 4-1.1, If no living spouse or will exists, and another family member has not already been given power-of-attorney, rights to legacy, financial and estate planning on behalf of an incapacitated party may be assigned to court appointed trustee.