Description
Testamentary capacity is the mental capacity needed to write a will.
Deciding whether an individual has testamentary capacity can be difficult. The decision is ultimately a legal one but it is important for doctors to be aware of its meaning and to know when to get advice both to ensure that patients get the best care and to avoid unnecessary medico-legal disputes. The disposal of ones property after death can be a central concern for many ill and dying people. Mistakes can be distressing for family and stressful for the doctor.
