Undue Influence Expert Witness
When a vulnerable person's decisions are quietly steered by someone who misuses trust or authority, the result can devastate families and estates. Bennett Blum, MD — an internationally recognized forensic and geriatric psychiatrist and a pioneer in the study of undue influence — helps attorneys evaluate these claims with rigorous, evidence-based psychiatric analysis. His expertise has been sought by courts, government agencies, and international bodies, including the United Nations and the U.S. Senate.
What Is Undue Influence?
Undue influence occurs when one person misuses a position of trust, authority, or dependency to override the free will of a vulnerable individual for personal gain. Unlike testamentary capacity, it requires reconstructing patterns of behavior, relationship dynamics, and psychological manipulation over time.
For a fuller explanation of how undue influence develops and who is most vulnerable, see Understanding Undue Influence.
How Dr. Blum Helps Attorneys
- Retrospective psychiatric evaluation of the alleged victim's vulnerability and decision-making capacity
- Analysis of manipulation tactics, isolation, dependency, and other recognized indicators of undue influence
- Review of medical records, depositions, financial documents, and witness accounts
- Clear, court-ready expert reports
- Expert witness testimony at deposition and trial
- Case consultation for plaintiff or defense
Recognized Indicators of Undue Influence
- Isolation of the individual from family and trusted advisors
- Sudden or unexplained changes to wills, trusts, or beneficiaries
- Overreliance on a single caregiver, advisor, or new acquaintance
- Exploitation of dependency, fear, or cognitive decline
- Inconsistency with the person's lifelong values and relationships
Why Dr. Blum
Dr. Blum developed widely used frameworks for evaluating undue influence and has trained judges, attorneys, Adult Protective Services personnel, and government officials throughout the Western Hemisphere. His decades of research and case experience allow him to explain complex psychiatric concepts clearly and persuasively to courts and juries.
Related Articles
- Understanding Undue Influence
- Suspicious Circumstances
- Undue Influence Susceptibility and Vulnerability
- Undue Influence - Behavioral Models
- The IDEAL Model
Inquiries from Attorneys
Dr. Blum is currently accepting a limited number of new engagements and focuses on complex, high-value, or precedent-setting matters involving undue influence and mental capacity. Attorneys with a qualifying case are invited to reach out with a brief case summary. Dr. Blum personally reviews each submission.