Estate Planning for the Older Client

Lawrence A. Frolik (Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law) has recently published his article entitled The Challenges of Estate Planning With a Very Old Client, Est. Plan., May 2007, at 3.

The topics covered by this insightful article include:

• The “heightened reality” of estate planning as the client’s death is likely to occur sooner than with younger clients.
• The physical limitations of older clients.
• Techniques the estate planner may use to compensate for these limitations.
• Methods for enhancing the “client friendliness” of the estate planner’s meeting room.
• Testamentary capacity.
• Undue influence.

Prof. Frolik concludes that

[d]ealing with the very old client presents special problems, but it also presents special opportunities, for these clients are very appreciative of the planner’s efforts to address their concerns.  The planner who recognizes the challenges and has planned out appropriate responses will be a planner who not only satisfies the client, but who also meets his or her own professional standards.