Mental capacity is assessed according to the ability of a person to make a specific decision at the time the decision needs to be made. Assessment should be carried out when a person’s capacity is in doubt and he has to make a particular decision. Different individuals may be involved in assessing a person’s capacity for different decisions. A professional, such as a lawyer, or the donee of an LPA may seek a formal assessment where they have doubts about the person’s capacity and the decision the person has to make is an important one.