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For Lawyers & Professionals 
Independent capacity assessment and clinical consultation

Capacity questions frequently arise at the intersection of law, health, cognition, mental health, family dynamics and financial vulnerability. Clear referral questions and clearly defined scope produce more useful assessments.

Calgary Capacity Assessments accepts professional referrals for statutory and decision-specific matters within scope.

Referral Areas

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  • Guardianship & Trusteeship, including Form 4 reports, reviews and regained capacity

  • Testamentary capacity

  • Enduring Power of Attorney capacity questions

  • Personal Directive capacity questions

  • Financial vulnerability and significant financial decisions

  • Other clearly defined decision-specific capacity questions within professional scope

Complex Mental Health & Capacity Consultation


A formal assessment is not always the appropriate first step. Professional consultation may be useful when a case involves significant psychiatric history, psychosis, addiction, treatment refusal, behavioural disturbance, cognitive impairment, developmental disability, acquired brain injury, unusual or risky decisions, financial exploitation concerns, fluctuating presentation or substantial family conflict.

Consultation can help clarify the capacity question, appropriate assessment pathway and whether additional psychiatric, psychological, legal or other professional involvement should be considered.

Defining the Referral Question

  • The legal or decision-making question

  • The document or transaction involved

  • The proposed change or decision

  • Relevant concerns

  • Timing requirements

  • Relevant records

  • Known family or litigation issues

  • Collateral sources

  • The intended use of the opinion

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​For contested or litigation-sensitive matters, referral through counsel is generally preferred so scope, instructions and intended use of the report are clearly established.

Independent Assessment

The assessor’s role is independent. The purpose of an assessment is not to achieve a predetermined result for the retaining party. The opinion is based on the information available, direct assessment findings, relevant collateral information and the applicable decision-making question.

Professional Services

  • Independent assessment

  • Records review

  • Collateral interviews

  • Written capacity opinion

  • Form 4 Capacity Assessment Report

  • Focused financial vulnerability review

  • Case consultation

  • Report review with counsel

  • Professional conference

  • Litigation preparation and testimony by prior arrangement

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