The author’s parents recently were in a restaurant in the small town in north Georgia where they live. As dessert came, two men approached his parent’s table. The elder of the two, always the Southern gentleman and ever gracious, complimented his mother on the way she was dressed, then turned to his father and said, “Now I want you to be sure and come by the office tomorrow and sign those papers. We’ve got to get them to court. ”

Such an interchange could occur anywhere. What is important about this event is that the man in question was an attorney by training but had not practiced law for at least ten years and had no business dealings with the author, father for even longer.

The man was successful, being both diligent and smart in his dealings with the courts and clients. However, as he approached his retirement years he became neglectful of his personal appearance and some of his business dealings. He had struggled with alcohol abuse early in his life and had overcome this problem with the help of his law partners. When these new problems of attention to his personal care, business, and social relationships became evident, those who cared for him actively sought to resolve them. He was fortunate that he had business partners who would protect him from the consequences of neglect of important matters and a family who would intervene when needed. As his problems with memory progressed he gave up the practice of law, turned the care of his various business interests to others, and concentrated his efforts on the tasks of retirement. Because of his children’s knowledge and timely intervention, this was a success story for him and his family. However, without thoughtful care, planning, and a willingness to intervene by concerned family members the outcome could have been disastrous.

J. Ray Hays provides an overview of the legal issues that Alzheimer families need to be aware of to ensure that careful planning can be made well in advance of the need for legal intervention. Families facing the difficulties of dealing with a relative who has Alzheimer’s disease need to be aware of the protection and assistance they can obtain from the courts. Families with specific legal problems should consult an attorney who deals with such issues. Elder law, wills, estates, and trusts are an emerging specialty in the law, and a family who takes the time to find competent assistance will be rewarded.