Chronic alcohol use can cause capacity and cognitive issues that wills and estates practitioners should be aware of. This paper explores the effects of alcohol on cognition, the potential impacts of alcohol withdrawal on testamentary capacity, and the use of alcohol as a potential control mechanism. It further outlines questions for practitioners to consider if they suspect their client has an alcohol use problem.

This paper was presented at LESA’s The Impact of Alcohol on Legal Capacity webinar on April 25, 2023.