Defining Testamentary Capacity

One of the most common reasons for a will contest are claims about testamentary capacity. These are usually brought by heirs who allege that the person who created the will did not have testamentary capacity to create that document. If this challenge is successful in court, the will is deemed invalid.

Capacity is a general term and one that is not subject to a precise definition, but generally refers to someone not being in a sound mind to understand their estate planning documents or decisions. In these cases, documents executed by a person in this state are not valid. 

Multiple factors might be explored to determine whether or not a person is of sound mind at the time they executed their will. This can include information from the doctor regarding the testator’s mental state at that point in time, whether or not the testator understands the nature and extent of the property they own and whether or not the testator understands the ordinary affairs of life. It falls to the person who is alleging that the creator did not have testamentary capacity to illustrate this in court.