Forensic Psychiatry Consultation and Expert Witness Services
Complex matters involving undue influence, mental and testamentary capacity, elder financial exploitation, coercion, consent, and vulnerability to manipulation.
Board-certified in psychiatry and fellowship-trained in forensic psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry, Dr. Blum has worked on more than 1,000 forensic matters in the United States and internationally.
Bennett Blum, MD helps attorneys identify the psychiatric questions that matter, determine what the evidence can support, locate missing records and witnesses, test case theories and alternative explanations, and evaluate opposing expert opinions.
Depending on the needs of the matter, his role may include confidential consultation, record review, discovery and deposition preparation, a written expert report, deposition testimony, or trial testimony.
Services for Attorneys
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Undue Influence and Coercion
Analysis of vulnerability, dependency, isolation, deception, coercive pressure, and the conduct of the alleged influencer.
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Mental and Testamentary Capacity
Decision-specific and time-specific analysis of disputed wills, trusts, gifts, contracts, consent, guardianship, and other acts.
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Elder Financial Exploitation
Analysis of capacity, consent, vulnerability, manipulation, and relationship dynamics in disputed transfers and financial decisions.
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Litigation Consulting
Early case assessment, record review, discovery planning, deposition preparation, and evaluation of opposing expert opinions
Why Attorneys Retain Bennett Blum, MD
• More than 30 years of specialized experience involving capacity, undue influence, exploitation, coercion, and complex decision-making.
• Early identification of missing records, witnesses, and forensic questions.
• Direct analysis of supporting evidence, contradictory evidence, and reasonable alternative explanations.
• Assistance with discovery strategy, deposition preparation, expert reports, and opposing-expert review.
• Clear explanation of complex psychiatric evidence in consultation, deposition, and trial testimony.
What is “Undue Influence” in Litigation?
Undue influence is a legal conclusion that may arise when excessive persuasion, coercion, deception, dependency, misuse of trust, or control of the decision environment compromises independent decision-making under the governing law. It is distinct from mental incapacity, although cognitive, psychiatric, medical, or functional impairment may increase vulnerability.
Dr. Bennett Blum specializes in identifying and explaining how undue influence develops, how it affects victims, and how it can be proven or disproven in legal settings.
Selected Testimonials
"He has developed an innovative and useful model to identify cases of undue influence.”
— Candace Heisler, Esq.
“Following an 8 day trial, the San Diego Superior Court judge ruled in our favor on all critical points, and he cited the testimony of Dr. Blum as being key to his decision.”
— D. Brian Reider, Esq.
More of Dr. Blum’s background may be found on the biography and testimonials pages.
Attorney Case Inquiries
Attorneys may submit a non-confidential case inquiry through the Contact page. Do not send confidential materials, protected information, records, pleadings, discovery, or documents until conflicts have been checked and a written engagement agreement is in place.
Submitting an inquiry does not retain Dr. Blum, does not create a physician-patient relationship, does not create an expert-consultant relationship, and does not preclude Dr. Blum from being retained by another party unless and until a written engagement agreement is signed.