Some Thoughts on Clients and Capacity Rebecca C. Morgan, Esq. Edwin M. Boyer, Esq. Stetson University College of Law Gulfport, Florida

Here is Our Problem? We have an ethical obligation to presume capacity in our relationships with our clients We have an ethical obligation to presume capacity in our relationships with our clients The reality is that we will have many more clients with diminished capacity than we have ever had The reality is that we will have many more clients with diminished capacity than we have ever had We need to know much more than we know now about diminished capacity We need to know much more than we know now about diminished capacity We need to be able to communicate with our clients with diminished capacity in order to meet our Ethical obligation We need to be able to communicate with our clients with diminished capacity in order to meet our Ethical obligation

Is There A Rule Of Thumb?

Model Rule of Professional Conduct Rule 1.14 (a) When a clients ability to make adequately considered decisions in connection with the representation is impaired whether because of minority, mental disability or for some other reason, the lawyer shall, as far as reasonably possible, maintain a normal client lawyer relationship with the client. (a) When a clients ability to make adequately considered decisions in connection with the representation is impaired whether because of minority, mental disability or for some other reason, the lawyer shall, as far as reasonably possible, maintain a normal client lawyer relationship with the client.

Model Rule of Professional Conduct Rule 1.14 (b) A lawyer may seek the appointment of a guardian or take other protective action with respect to a client only when the lawyer reasonably believes that the client cannot adequately act in the clients own interest. (b) A lawyer may seek the appointment of a guardian or take other protective action with respect to a client only when the lawyer reasonably believes that the client cannot adequately act in the clients own interest.

Comments A client lacking legal competence often has the ability to understand, deliberate on, and reach conclusions about matters affecting the clients own well being A client lacking legal competence often has the ability to understand, deliberate on, and reach conclusions about matters affecting the clients own well being The law recognizes intermediate degrees of competence The law recognizes intermediate degrees of competence Some persons of advanced age can be quite capable of handling routine financial matters while needing special legal protection concerning major transactions Some persons of advanced age can be quite capable of handling routine financial matters while needing special legal protection concerning major transactions

Rule 1.14(2002) (c) Information relating to the representation of a client with diminished capacity is protected by Rule 1.6. When taking protective action pursuant to paragraph (b), the lawyer is impliedly authorized under Rule 1.6(a) to reveal information about the client, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the client’s interests. (c) Information relating to the representation of a client with diminished capacity is protected by Rule 1.6. When taking protective action pursuant to paragraph (b), the lawyer is impliedly authorized under Rule 1.6(a) to reveal information about the client, but only to the extent reasonably necessary to protect the client’s interests.

Comments to Rule 1.14 In determining the extent of the clients diminished capacity, the lawyer should consider and balance such factors as: the clients ability to articulate reasoning leading to a decision; variability of state of mind and ability to appreciate consequences of a decision; the substantive fairness of a decision; and the consistency of a decision with the known long term commitments and values of the client. In appropriate circumstances, the lawyer may seek guidance from an appropriate diagnostician In determining the extent of the clients diminished capacity, the lawyer should consider and balance such factors as: the clients ability to articulate reasoning leading to a decision; variability of state of mind and ability to appreciate consequences of a decision; the substantive fairness of a decision; and the consistency of a decision with the known long term commitments and values of the client. In appropriate circumstances, the lawyer may seek guidance from an appropriate diagnostician

ACTEC Commentaries (original rule) The lawyer generally should not prepare a will…for a client who the lawyer believes lacks the requisite capacity. On the other hand, because of the importance of testamentary freedom, the lawyer may properly assist clients whose testamentary capacity appears to be borderline. In any case the lawyer should take steps to preserve evidence regarding the clients testamentary capacity. The lawyer generally should not prepare a will…for a client who the lawyer believes lacks the requisite capacity. On the other hand, because of the importance of testamentary freedom, the lawyer may properly assist clients whose testamentary capacity appears to be borderline. In any case the lawyer should take steps to preserve evidence regarding the clients testamentary capacity.

THE SLIPPERY SLOPE THE SLIPPERY SLOPE

THE SLIPPERY SLOPE You have, and you will have a client whose capacity to understand and execute a legal document, complete a legal transaction, or assist you in representation, will be in doubt You have, and you will have a client whose capacity to understand and execute a legal document, complete a legal transaction, or assist you in representation, will be in doubt Sometimes you have to choose and you may have to defend your choice Sometimes you have to choose and you may have to defend your choice You also must be able to communicate with the client You also must be able to communicate with the client

Our Clients over 65 group increased 22% over 65 group increased 22% 2050 – 17.1% of population will be over – 17.1% of population will be over – 5.1% of population will be over – 5.1% of population will be over 85

Our Clients Prevalence of dementia thought to double every 5 years in the elderly Prevalence of dementia thought to double every 5 years in the elderly Affects 1% of persons 60 and over Affects 1% of persons 60 and over Affects 45% of persons 85 years old Affects 45% of persons 85 years old Most common cause – Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60% to 70% Most common cause – Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60% to 70% One new Alzheimer’s case every 6 seconds One new Alzheimer’s case every 6 seconds

WHAT IS DEMENTIA Dementia is not an illness – it is a group of symptoms that may accompany a variety of diseases or physical conditions Dementia is not an illness – it is a group of symptoms that may accompany a variety of diseases or physical conditions It is a global disturbance of cognitive functioning It is a global disturbance of cognitive functioning More than 50 diseases and conditions result in varying degrees of mental impairment More than 50 diseases and conditions result in varying degrees of mental impairment

WHAT IS DEMENTIA “a syndrome characterized by acquired impairment in a least three of five neuropsychological and behavioral domains “a syndrome characterized by acquired impairment in a least three of five neuropsychological and behavioral domains 1. memory 1. memory 2. language speech 2. language speech 3. visuospatial ability 3. visuospatial ability 4. cognition (ability to manipulate previously learned information) 4. cognition (ability to manipulate previously learned information) 5. mood/personality 5. mood/personality

WHAT IS DEMENTIA A diagnosis requires that cognitive defect be severe enough to cause impairment in social and occupational functioning A diagnosis requires that cognitive defect be severe enough to cause impairment in social and occupational functioning Symptoms can result from a variety of diseases or physical conditions Symptoms can result from a variety of diseases or physical conditions Conditions result in varying degrees of mental impairment Conditions result in varying degrees of mental impairment Manifest at different times many are reversible Manifest at different times many are reversible The lava lamp theory The lava lamp theory

Common Dementia Causing Diseases and conditions Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s disease Multi-infarct dementia (stroke) Multi-infarct dementia (stroke) Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease Huntington’s disease Huntington’s disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Picks disease Picks disease Depression Depression Anxiety disorders Anxiety disorders Closed head injuries Closed head injuries

Legal vs. Clinical Capacity

A LOOK AT LEGAL CAPACITY Historically – Lawyers deal with situation specific standards Historically – Lawyers deal with situation specific standards Make a will, gift, contract, make medical decisions Make a will, gift, contract, make medical decisions

LEGAL STANDARDS OF CAPACITY State specific State specific Generally a presumption of capacity Generally a presumption of capacity Adjudication of incapacity might not prevent meeting the standard – Will? Adjudication of incapacity might not prevent meeting the standard – Will? The legal transaction specific analysis in many cases parallels clinicians evaluation of capacity – “domains” The legal transaction specific analysis in many cases parallels clinicians evaluation of capacity – “domains”

Transaction Specific Analysis Testamentary Capacity Testamentary Capacity Contractual Capacity Contractual Capacity Donative Capacity Donative Capacity Convey Real Estate Convey Real Estate Make a Health Care Decision Make a Health Care Decision Mediate Mediate Drive Drive Marry Marry Stand Trial Stand Trial Vote Vote

CAPACITY IN THE GUARDIANSHIP CONTEXT 60’ Paradigm – underlying medical or mental health diagnosis 60’ Paradigm – underlying medical or mental health diagnosis 80’s trend – focus on function – underlying diagnosis is important but may not be the basis for a guardianship 80’s trend – focus on function – underlying diagnosis is important but may not be the basis for a guardianship New Trend – Cognitive element – “unable to receive or evaluate information, or communicate decisions to meet essential requirements for safety. UGPPA New Trend – Cognitive element – “unable to receive or evaluate information, or communicate decisions to meet essential requirements for safety. UGPPA

Clinical Models For Guardianship - The Grisso Model For Guardianship - The Grisso Model For Transactional - Domain specific Models For Transactional - Domain specific Models Domain – a cohesive area of cognitive or functional behavior Domain – a cohesive area of cognitive or functional behavior Consent Capacity Consent Capacity Financial Capacity Financial Capacity Independent Living Independent Living

Conclusion Whether in the guardianship context or the transactional context - Capacity is a legal determination made by a judge based upon a legal definition with opinions given by professionals Whether in the guardianship context or the transactional context - Capacity is a legal determination made by a judge based upon a legal definition with opinions given by professionals

These Are Our Standards These Are Our Clients These Are Our Challenges What Do We do

The Slippery Slope Again Do you assess for capacity? Do you assess for capacity? How far do you go is assessing? How far do you go is assessing? Who does the assessment? Who does the assessment? What is your liability and to whom? What is your liability and to whom? What are the ethical issues? What are the ethical issues? But Most important: But Most important:

La Monomane de L’envie Theodore Gericault 1819 How Do We Communicate

Communicating With Your Client

Factors to Consider Client’s ability to articulate reasoning underlying a particular decision Client’s ability to articulate reasoning underlying a particular decision Client’s knowledge and appreciation of impact and outcome of decisions Client’s knowledge and appreciation of impact and outcome of decisions Consistency of client’s professed choices, desires and goals “over time” Consistency of client’s professed choices, desires and goals “over time” Potential impact of external variables on the client’s decision making process (e.g., third parties, financial stressors, physical health) Potential impact of external variables on the client’s decision making process (e.g., third parties, financial stressors, physical health) Nature of the legal task and issue and the adequacy of your presentation Nature of the legal task and issue and the adequacy of your presentation

Signs/Indicators of Possible Impairment and Diminished Capacity* Short term memory loss (versus better memory for events of the past) Short term memory loss (versus better memory for events of the past) Language and communication problems Language and communication problems Problems with comprehension of abstract concepts Problems with comprehension of abstract concepts Lack of cognitive flexibility Lack of cognitive flexibility Problems with calculation Problems with calculation

Signs/Indicators of Possible Impairment and Diminished Capacity* Problems with orientation (space, time, place, person) Problems with orientation (space, time, place, person) Problems with hygiene Problems with hygiene Emotional lability and impulsivity Emotional lability and impulsivity Delusions and hallucinations Delusions and hallucinations *Always try to consider the client’s relative level of functioning as compared to some prior baseline *Always try to consider the client’s relative level of functioning as compared to some prior baseline

Contributors to Impaired Capacity Cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia, delirium) Cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia, delirium) Mental disorders (e.g., depression, psychotic disorders) Mental disorders (e.g., depression, psychotic disorders) Physical disorders Physical disorders Medication effects Medication effects Substance abuse Substance abuse Impaired sensory functioning Impaired sensory functioning Situational stressors Situational stressors

Enhancing Client Capacity Accommodate sensory changes and limitations Accommodate sensory changes and limitations Accommodate cognitive changes and limitations Accommodate cognitive changes and limitations Foster trust Foster trust

Accommodate Sensory Changes and Limitations Minimize glare on materials and in room Minimize glare on materials and in room Minimize background noise Minimize background noise Look at client when speaking and sit close to each Look at client when speaking and sit close to each Speak more slowly and more loudly, using a lower pitched voice Speak more slowly and more loudly, using a lower pitched voice Print documents in larger fonts Print documents in larger fonts Provide extra time for reading and review of documents Provide extra time for reading and review of documents

Accommodate Cognitive Changes and Limitations Adopt a slower pace Adopt a slower pace Ask non-compound questions, break up materials into smaller segments, and discuss one issue at a time Ask non-compound questions, break up materials into smaller segments, and discuss one issue at a time Verify understanding before moving onto another topic, provide corrective feedback when necessary and then re-assess Verify understanding before moving onto another topic, provide corrective feedback when necessary and then re-assess Schedule appointments for time of day when client is at his or her best Schedule appointments for time of day when client is at his or her best Provide time for breaks and use multiple shorter appointment rather than longer ones Provide time for breaks and use multiple shorter appointment rather than longer ones Consider meeting in the client’s residence Consider meeting in the client’s residence

Foster Trust Interview client alone Interview client alone Stress confidentiality of relationship and fiduciary duty Stress confidentiality of relationship and fiduciary duty Paraphrase assessment of client’s desires, goals, and intentions Paraphrase assessment of client’s desires, goals, and intentions Never talk about the client when others are in the room Never talk about the client when others are in the room Consider word choices Consider word choices “person-centric”=focus on what client can do “person-centric”=focus on what client can do Complex v. simple; big picture vs. details Complex v. simple; big picture vs. details

Communication Tips from Alzheimer’s Association Patience Patience Don’t correct or criticize Don’t correct or criticize Limit distractions Limit distractions Non-verbals—point to something Non-verbals—point to something Emotions vs. words Emotions vs. words communication-tips.asp communication-tips.asp

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