A death certificate will list all diagnoses as the cause of death. If dementia is listed on the death certificate, and the will has been made within 10 years of the date of death, the Probate Office will require an Affidavit from a medical practitioner, who treated the deceased person.  

This Affidavit must confirm that the deceased person had the capacity to make their Will. This Affidavit is lodged with the Probate application.

This is generally not a problem, because if there was any concern about the person’s capacity at the time the will was made, the solicitor would advise the person to get confirmation from their doctor that the person has capacity to make the Will. 

If the deceased person died without making a Will and dementia  is listed on the death certificate, then this requirement does not apply.