What does Rule 1.14 address regarding clients with diminished capacity?

Rule 1.14 focuses on the circumstances in which a client may have diminished capacity to make decisions, such as due to age, mental illness, or other factors affecting their cognitive ability. The rule emphasizes the lawyer's duty to assess the client's ability to make informed decisions regarding their legal matters and outlines the appropriate actions the lawyer should take if they determine that the client cannot adequately understand the situation or make sound decisions.

The rule provides a framework for how lawyers should approach representation when they suspect that a client lacks the capacity to make informed choices, which may include taking steps to protect the client’s interests, consulting with medical professionals, or looking into alternative decision-making arrangements, such as involving a guardian.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of Rule 1.14. For instance, while avoiding representation may sometimes be necessary, the rule specifically outlines how to handle situations where capacity is diminished rather than suggesting that a lawyer should refrain from representation altogether. Additionally, while termination of representation and seeking family involvement could be relevant in certain contexts, they are not the principal focus of Rule 1.14, which is primarily concerned with how lawyers should respond to clients' diminished capacity in decision-making.