Q: What is statute? If someone has dimentia and it’s medical records can they change poa and will
A:
Just because someone has dementia does not mean that they, definitively, cannot sign a new POA or Will. The test is whether the person was lucid at the time they signed the document. In other words, did they understand what they are signing when it was signed.
Dementia is a spectrum. Meaning some people have a mild form that causes occasional forgetfulness and other people, sadly, wont recognize their own family. Some people are lucid during different times of the day. This is sometimes referred to as "sun-setting". Whereby in the morning they will be clear, alert, oriented, etc..., but as the day goes on they start to lose their capacity.
I hope this helps.
A: No. Unless the person "is of sound mind" they are not legally competent to give anyone a POA or to change a will or to create a will.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.