Undue influence can have a dramatic impact on how an estate is distributed. It may mean that the wishes expressed in a person’s will do not actually align with what they wanted because they were manipulated into making those changes.
It is important for family members to recognize when this type of manipulation may be happening so that they can take appropriate legal action if necessary. With that in mind, here are three red flags to look out for.
Brand-new beneficiaries
For one thing, if a person who is in a position of power, such as a caregiver, is suddenly added to an estate plan at the last minute, that can be a red flag. Did they threaten to withhold care or assistance from the elderly individual unless they were included in the inheritance? They may have pressured the person into changing the will.
Drastic changes
Additionally, if changes to an estate plan are drastically different from what a person had previously discussed, that can also be a warning sign. Did they truly have a major change of heart, or were they being coerced into making those changes? When family members are shocked or confused by sudden revisions to the estate plan, there may be a reason for that reaction.
Isolation and separation
Finally, when an elderly person becomes isolated from other family members or beneficiaries, that can also be a red flag. If they spend nearly all of their time with one specific individual, who is then suddenly left the majority of the inheritance, it could indicate manipulation. The elderly person may have been intentionally separated from other loved ones so that one individual could gain more influence over them.
None of these issues automatically proves undue influence, but they are red flags that may justify further investigation. Family members who are concerned about these situations need to understand what legal options may be available to them.