Civil Competency

As a result of dementia processes, head injury, or other physiological deterioration, individuals may become unable to manage their own affairs. The courts may require the endorsement of a physician or psychologist in order for the individual to be assigned a guardian and/or conservator. Psychologists are in a unique position to assist with this kind of matter in that cognitive testing can essentially map out an individual’s current intellectual strengths and weaknesses. Further, tests of adaptive functioning can quantify the extent of an individual’s impairment in daily living skills.