The Role of the Medical Expert in the Retrospective Assessment of Testamentary Capacity

Author:

Shulman Kenneth1ORCID,Herrmann Nathan1,Peglar Hayley2,Dochylo Daniel3,Burns Clare2,Peisah Carmelle456

Affiliation:

1. Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2. Weir Foulds LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

3. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

4. University New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia

5. Sydney University, New South Wales, Australia

6. Capacity Australia, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Objectives: Physicians and other mental health experts are increasingly called on to assist the courts with the determination of testamentary capacity. We aim to improve the understanding of the retrospective assessment of testamentary capacity for medical experts in order to provide more useful reports for the court’s determinations and to provide a methodology for the retrospective assessment of testamentary capacity. Method: Medical experts with experience in the retrospective assessment of testamentary capacity collaborated with lawyers who practice estate litigation. The medical literature on the assessment of testamentary capacity was reviewed and integrated. The medical experts provided a clinical perspective, while the lawyers ensured that the case law and legal perspective were integrated into this review. Results: The focus and limitations of the medical expert are outlined including the need to be objective, nonpartisan, and fair. For the benefit of the court, the medical expert should describe the nature and severity of relevant medical, psychiatric, and cognitive disorders, and how they may impact on the specific criteria for testamentary capacity as defined by the leading case of Banks v Goodfellow. Medical experts should opine only on the issue of vulnerability to influence and defer to the court to determine the facts of the case regarding any influence that may have been exerted. Conclusions: Although the ultimate determination of testamentary capacity is a legal one, medical experts can help the court achieve the most informed legal decision by providing relevant information on clinical issues that may impact the criteria for testamentary capacity.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Psychiatry and Mental health

Cited by 5 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. Responding to the Growing Need for Medical Experts in Testamentary and Estate Related Capacities: A Course for Physicians (Brief Report);The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry;2024-09

2. Retrospektiv vurdering av testasjonsevne;Tidsskrift for familierett, arverett og barnevernrettslige spørsmål;2024-05-16

3. The testamentary capacity in acute stroke. A cross-sectional study;Applied Neuropsychology: Adult;2024-03-06

4. The Assessment of Testamentary Capacity Viewed from the Perspective of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities;International Law - A Practical Manual [Working Title];2023-03-22

5. A Comprehensive Approach to Assessment of Testamentary Capacity;Frontiers in Psychology;2021-12-23

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