September is World Alzheimer’s Month, with World Alzheimer’s Day falling on Sunday 21st. It’s a time to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and its profound impact, not just on individuals, but on families, communities, and the legal decisions that follow.

At Switalskis, especially within our Contentious Probate team, we understand how Alzheimer’s can affect a person’s ability to make or change a will, and how this can lead to complex, emotionally charged disputes after their death.

Preserving what they truly wanted

Alzheimer’s affects memory, judgment, and decision-making, sometimes long before a diagnosis is made. When someone loses capacity, their ability to express or update their wishes may be compromised. After they pass away, families often ask: Is this really what they wanted?

Our role is to help preserve and honour those wishes. We support clients through:

• Challenges to capacity: Was the person able to understand their decisions at the time?
• Concerns about undue influence: Were they pressured or manipulated?
• Disputes over gifts or changes: Were these genuine or exploitative?

These cases require legal expertise, but also empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of how Alzheimer’s affects individuals and families.

Building a future of empathy and clarity

World Alzheimer’s Month is a call to action. It reminds us to:

• Plan early and clearly, especially when capacity may be in question
• Approach disputes with sensitivity and trauma-informed care
• Advocate for fairness while honouring the person behind the paperwork

If you’re navigating uncertainty around a will, a lifetime gift, or the intentions of a loved one affected by Alzheimer’s, our Contentious Probate team is here to guide you with clarity and care.