Forensic Psychiatrist for Undue Influence, Testamentary Capacity, and Elder Financial Exploitation Cases
Independent forensic psychiatric consultation and selected expert-witness services for attorneys in probate, trust, fiduciary, and related litigation involving mental capacity, vulnerability, coercion, consent, and disputed decision-making.
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 available evidence can support, recognize evidentiary gaps, 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.
What Early Consultation Changed
After engaging Dr. Blum early in a complex elder-abuse matter, D. Brian Reider, Esq., reported:
“By following his suggestions and obtaining his insight, we were able to focus on critical issues and obtain the discovery we needed.”
— D. Brian Reider, Esq., Best Best & Krieger LLP
Services for Attorneys
Analysis of vulnerability, dependency, isolation, deception, coercive pressure, and the conduct of the alleged influencer.
Undue Influence and Coercion
Analysis of capacity, consent, vulnerability, manipulation, and relationship dynamics in disputed transfers and financial decisions.
Elder Financial Exploitation
Decision-specific and time-specific analysis of disputed wills, trusts, gifts, contracts, consent, guardianship, and other acts.
Mental and Testamentary Capacity
Early case assessment, record review, discovery planning, deposition preparation, and evaluation of opposing expert opinions.
Litigation Consulting
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 evidentiary gaps and important 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 evaluates how undue influence may develop, how it may affect decision-making, and whether the available psychiatric and behavioral evidence supports, undermines, or limits the asserted claim.
Selected Testimonials
"(Dr. Blum) is a unique professional. He has developed enormous expertise in medicine, mental health, and law. His work frequently blends these fields and allows multiple systems to operate effectively . . . He has developed an innovative and useful model to identify cases of undue influence. . . Elder abuse is an evolving field. Dr. Blum is one of its leaders."
— Candace Heisler, Esq.
"I first met Dr. Blum in the winter of 2004 as he served as a consultant and expert witness in the case of Prosecutor v. Pavle Strugar . . . Recognizing the historical importance of this situation and the fact that the issue of competency was one of "first impression" for modern tribunals, the Prosecutor's Office had to obtain internationally recognized experts. Dr. Blum's name was put forth as a highly recommended geriatric psychiatrist . . . Dr. Blum went to great lengths to assist the Court in this matter . . .”
- Phillip Weiner, Esq.,
Office of the Prosecutor, United Nations-ICTY, The Hague, Netherlands
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.