Mark C. Palmer, in his Attorney at Work article, gives lawyers advice for working with a client that is experiencing cognitive decline. His article “How Lawyers Should Respond to Cognitive Decline in a Client”, begins as follows:
Question: I’ve represented an individual client for almost 20 years in various transactional and litigation matters. Over the past year, I’ve noticed what seems to be a mild yet steady decline in his cognitive abilities. He has stopped email communications and now will only talk on the phone or have someone bring him to my office. Our discussions of pending matters are becoming disjointed and repetitive.
Can I continue to properly serve a client who may have diminished capacity? What if he continues to decline?
Answer: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are many reasons why someone may show signs of diminished capacity. Some acute symptoms may pass or are corrected, while others may be chronic and eventually debilitating to one’s mental and physical functioning.
To see the full article click: “How Lawyers Should Respond to Cognitive Decline in a Client”
Posted by Will Frankenberry, Associate Editor, Wealth Strategies Journal.
Wealth Strategies Journal 