Financial and Estate Planning Legal Tools for the Early Stages of Alzheimer's Dementia or other Cognitive Impairments

MSU Extension MontGuides and Resources

1. Concerned About Memory Loss:  Montana Legal and Financial Resources  (MSU Extension Website)
   
   
2. Property Ownership. (MT198907HR) (2025) (PDF Version) (HTML Version-ADA Accessible) [Order Online]
   Describes the three main forms of property ownership in Montana, plus real-life examples of estate settlement for each.
   
   
3. Transferring Property Owned in a Joint Tenancy or in a Life Estate Without Probate (MT201606HR) (2024) (PDF Version)  (HTML Version-ADA Accessible)  [Order Online]
   Describes the process when real property is owned as joint tenants or is subject to a life estate, the distribution method is determined by Montana Law.. 
   
   
4. Wills.  (MT198906HR) (2023) (PDF Version) (HTML Version-ADA Accessible) [Order Online]
   Outlines why a written will is necessary. Includes information about costs, restrictions and changes after its completion. 
   
   
   • Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Relationship and Obligations Personal Representative, Guardian, or Conservator(PDF)
     
     
5. Dying Without a Will in Montana: Who Receives Your Property? (MT198908HR) (2025) (PDF Version) (HTML Version-ADA Accessible) [Order Online]  Includes legal terms and detailed examples of possible scenarios for distribution of property should a person die before writing a will in Montana. 
   
   
6. Nonprobate Transfers. (MT199509HR) (2022) (PDF Version) (HTML Version-ADA Accessible) [Order Online]
   Describes the various forms of ownership Montana allows the deceased's property to bypass probate and transfer directly to beneficiaries such as payable on death designations on financial accounts and transfer on death registrations for stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. 
   
   
7. Talking With Aging Parents About Finances (MT199324HR) (2023) (PDF Version) (HTML Version-ADA Accessible) [Order Online]
   Provides strategies for diplomatic discussion about family financial issues with aging parents.
   
   
8. Power of Attorney (Financial) (MT199001HR) (2024) (PDF Version) (HTML Version-ADA Accessible) [Order Online]
   Explains how to give another person authority to make financial decisions for you through a legal document known as a power of attorney. Information about the Montana Uniform Power of Attorney Act passed by the Montana Legislature is provided. Features of the new Statutory Power of Attorney form are also explained. 
   
   • Financial Power of Attorney Statutory Form and Agent Statutory Form (PDF)
     
     
9. Estate Planning:  The Basics Packet (MSU Extension) $10.00
   

   The Basics of Estate Planning packet was developed to help you work toward establishing estate planning goals and objectives that will provide the greatest satisfaction for you and your intended beneficiaries. The packet includes 18 guides that range in topic from A Glossary of Estate Planning Terms to Montana's End-of-Life Registry.  By purchasing this packet, your name will be added to an address list to receive updated MontGuides as the law changes. 
   
   

10. Estate Planning Top Ten Estate Planning Actions for Montanans  (Cutouts for Memory Jar)

National Government Agency Resources

1. Medicare
2. National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health
   
   • Getting Your Affairs in Order
   • Legal and Financial Planning for People with Alzheimer's
   • Planning for Diminished Capacity and Illness
3. U.S. National Library of Medicine
   • Advance Directives
4. A Guide for VA Fiduciaries
5. Social Security Booklet: A Guide for Representative Payees

Organizational Resources

1. Alzheimer's Assocation:  Montana Chapter
   • Caregiver Center
2. Family Caregiver Alliance
   
   • Conservatorship and Guardianship
   • Legal Planning for Incapacity