My wife & I had procrastinated for years & did not have AMDs at the time she was diagnosed. I was sure she wouldn't be able to do one because, after all, she wasn't "of sound mind."

Our attorney said that memory loss, delusions, paranoia, and extreme behavior didn't matter! He only needed to confirm that she was lucid at the moment he explained the document to her and witnessed her signature. We set the appointment for the best time of her day (mid-morning) and had no problem getting this important document executed.

My family actually had that concern with my grandmother, and we were looking for more information as to whether these advance directives were still able to be signed by the AD individual. Good tip, thanks!

It has been told to me that until you are declared incompetent in a court of law, you retain your rights to sign anything you want to. Of course the person should be at their best competence at the time they sign anything and steps should be made to guard that they are not being coerced or taken advantage of.

This is in Wi., laws may be different in other areas, but this makes sense to me. I would check out state and/or Fed laws and act accordingly.

My dad signed things by simply making an "X" and mom was moving the pen.