Articles and Resources for Attorneys

These resources are intended to help attorneys identify the psychiatric, behavioral, and evidentiary issues that commonly arise in cases involving undue influence, testamentary capacity, mental capacity, elder financial exploitation, coercion, and vulnerability to manipulation.

Undue Influence and Coercion

• Undue Influence: An Overview – defines undue influence and outlines key factors.
• Basic Types of Undue Influence– describes overt coercion and false goodwill.
• Susceptibility & Vulnerability to Undue Influence – explains factors that make individuals susceptible.
• Behavioral Models of Undue Influence – surveys the SCAM, SODR, IDEAL and thought‑reform models.
• SCAM Model of Undue Influence– details the Susceptibility, Confidential Relationship, Active Procurement & Monetary Loss factors.
• IDEAL Model of Undue Influence – explains Isolation, Dependency, Emotional Manipulation, Acquiescence & Loss.
• SODR Model of Undue Influence – outlines the “Sequence of Undue Influence”.
• Cult Model of Undue Influence– applies thought‑reform principles to legal contexts.
• Undue Influence, Coercion & the IDEAL Protocol – introduces a worksheet for evaluating coercion.
• Undue Influence Wheel Model – illustrates factors in a wheel diagram.
• Suspicious Circumstances in Undue Influence and Probate Litigation – identifies red flags in probate and financial abuse cases.
• More Suspicious Circumstances in Undue Influence Cases – continues the discussion of red flags.
• Active Procurement: More Suspicious Circumstances – focuses on active procurement in will and trust.

Mental and Testamentary Capacity

• Psychological Testing & Limitations in Capacity Evaluations – discusses the role and limits of psychometric testing.
• PARADISE‑2 Protocol: Introduction – introduces a behavior‑based protocol for assessing capacity.
• Dementia & Cognitive Impairment – examines dementia and capacity issues in litigation.
• Mental Capacity vs Competency – distinguishes between mental capacity and legal competency.
• Mental Capacity & Litigation – analyses how capacity questions arise in litigation.

Expert Witness and Litigation Consulting

• Screening Experts: Evaluating Undue Influence Experts – guides attorneys on screening potential experts.
• Considerations When Hiring an Expert– explains when and how to retain a forensic psychiatry expert.
• How Experts Can Help with Undue Influence & Capacity Cases – outlines how forensic experts support complex cases.
• Expert Witness Consultation & Training Overview – describes Dr. Blum’s consultation and training services.

Elder Financial Exploitation and Fiduciary Abuse

• Elder Abuse, Financial Loss, & Undue Influence: FAQs – answers common questions about elder financial exploitation and undue influence.
• Elder Financial Abuse & Exploitation– identifies warning signs and legal remedies.

Business, Financial, and Professional‑Misconduct Matters

• Attorneys & Undue Influence – examines how lawyers can inadvertently participate in undue influence.
• Financial Professionals & Undue Influence– discusses undue influence issues among financial advisors.
• Physicians & Undue Influence – covers undue influence issues in medical contexts.
• Clergy & Undue Influence – addresses risks within clergy or spiritual advisors.
• Undue Influence & Professional Misconduct – summarizes the intersection of undue influence and professional misconduct.
• Prenuptial Agreements, Blended Families, & Divorce – explores family‑law scenarios with undue influence concerns.

Selected International and High‑Stakes Matters

• Betrayal, Suffering, & Psychological Torture – discusses psychological harm and undue influence in extreme settings.
• War Crimes & Diminished Capacity – examines war‑crimes cases and diminished capacity.

For selected complex matters, attorneys may submit a non‑confidential case inquiry through the Contact page. Do not send confidential materials before conflicts have been checked and a written agreement is in place.