On November 14, 2016, BBC News reported that dementia has now become a leading cause of death. The article states that, last year, more than 61,000 people died of dementia(11.6% of all recorded deaths). Dementia, unfortunately, is common, and probate lawyers are frequently facing inheritance and guardianship disputes involving it. How can having a valid estate plan prove beneficial to someone with dementia? Don’t estate plans only affect me when I die? What do Florida probate litigators know about dementia and undue influence? Can you create a valid will after your doctor tells you that you have Dementia or Alzheimer’s? Can you amend your Florida trust or will even though you have severe dementia and are being influenced by a family member?
Florida Estates and Mental Illness
In cases where mental illness is an issue, a good estate plan should focus on health related issues. What does this mean? West Palm Beach estate planning attorneys can tell you that an estate plan can include health documents. Who’s going to make health care decisions for you if you no longer cannot make them for yourself? Is there a power of attorney to assist with simple things like paying your taxes and bills? Is there a power of attorney to assist you with personal things like getting your prescriptions and getting you to the doctors? Do you have a living will expressing your desire if you are or have to be sustained on life support or by artificial means? Does the health care proxy or medical durable power of attorney jive with the rest of your plan? Are they up to date? Are your fiduciaries all lined up and ready to go? West Palm Beach wills lawyers know that money is important, for sure, but so is one’s mental and physical well being.