For someone to create a valid will or trust, the individual must be of “sound mind”, which is a term for determining mental capacity. If an individual is determined to lack sufficient mental capacity, then any document that individual signs is invalid under California law. Under California law, there are different laws for determining mental capacity based on whether an individual is signing a will or a trust. This article will examine the role mental capacity plays in estate planning.
Mental Capacity Required for Wills
California law presumes that everyone has the mental capacity to make a will. As a result, it is up to the individual challenging the legitimacy of a will based on mental capacity to pursue these matters in court. To make a will, an individual must be at least eighteen years old and of sufficient mental capacity. The mental capacity required to make a will in California is considered the lowest. The mental capacity law for wills require an individual to understand several things:
- The individual must understand that he or she is creating a will.
- The individual understand what property the individual owns.
- The individual must understand the relationship the individual has to the beneficiaries that are named in the will.
- The individual must not suffer from mental disorders with symptoms that include delusions or hallucinations.
Mental Capacity Required for Trusts
The mental capacity required to make a trust is higher than the capacity required to make a will. The mental capacity required to create a trust dictates that an individual understands the following:
- The rights, duties, and responsibilities created or affected by the decision.
- The probable consequences for the decision maker in addition to the various individuals who are influenced by the decision.
- The significant risks, benefits, and reasonable alternatives created by the trust.
Mental Capacity and Estate Planning
Have the loved ones in question examined by medical care providers. Due to the differences in standards, individuals who display any signs of memory loss or dementia should be evaluated by a primary care provider for mental capacity. While a person with the beginning stages of dementia likely has the capacity to create a will, that individual likely does not have the capacity to create a trust. It can be particularly difficult to determine exactly when an individual’s mental capacity is no longer fit to make either a will or trust because individuals are often resistant to admit a decline in mental aptitude. Have estate planning devices in place by the time mental capacity is affected.
If you have any questions about mental capacity might influence an individual’s ability to write a Will or Trust, contact a seasoned and experienced California estate planning lawyer today.