Estate Planning and Alzheimer’s Disease: Legal Insights for 2025

At The Lansky Law Firm, we understand the challenges families face when Alzheimer’s disease becomes part of their lives. Whether you are the one diagnosed or a loved one providing care, the emotional and financial impact is profound. One of the most important steps you can take is ensuring that the right legal protections are in place.

Estate planning in these circumstances isn’t just recommended — it is essential to protect independence, assets, and dignity.

Why Timing Matters

If you or someone you love has received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and you haven’t yet established critical estate planning documents — such as a will, durable powers of attorney, or advance directives — now is the time to act.

Legal capacity — the ability to understand what you are signing, recognize the consequences, and communicate your wishes — is necessary for these documents to be valid. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, most people still have this capacity. But because Alzheimer’s is progressive, capacity can diminish unexpectedly, making it vital to plan sooner rather than later.

Key Legal Tools for Alzheimer’s Planning

The following documents form the foundation of a strong estate plan for individuals with Alzheimer’s:

• Durable Power of Attorney for Finances Appoints trusted agents to handle financial matters when you are unable to do so safely.

• Health Care Power of Attorney (Health Care Proxy) Allows a trusted person to make medical decisions in line with your values when you cannot.

• Living Will Outlines your preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, feeding interventions, and comfort measures.

• Dementia-Specific Advance Directive Where available, details your wishes across different stages of Alzheimer’s, ensuring they are honored as your needs evolve.

• Last Will and Testament and/or Revocable Trust Provides instructions for how your assets should be handled and names executors or trustees to oversee your estate.

What Happens Without a Plan

If these documents are missing or unclear, families may need to seek guardianship or conservatorship. This means the court appoints someone to make decisions on your behalf. While sometimes unavoidable, it can lead to higher costs, stricter oversight, and a loss of personal control.

How The Lansky Law Firm Can Help

Our team helps families plan with confidence by:

• Developing strategies to protect assets from the high costs of long-term care.

• Drafting and updating advance directives that reflect your values.

• Helping you select trusted decision-makers for financial and medical matters.

• Considering guardianship only as a last resort.

• Ensuring your plan is compliant with Tennessee law and tailored to your needs.

The Real Goal: Peace of Mind

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but careful planning can bring stability and comfort. At The Lansky Law Firm, our mission is to protect what matters most — your choices, your dignity, and your peace of mind.

Peace of Mind through Preparation.

Visit Us: 6800 Poplar Ave #225, Memphis, TN 38138

Call Us: (901) 767-7006

Learn More: www.lanskylawfirm.com