What is undue influence and why does it matter in estate disputes?

What this usually means

Undue influence is when someone uses a position of power or trust to pressure a vulnerable person into changing their will, trust, or beneficiary designations. It is a common basis for contesting a will in California. Signs: the deceased was isolated from family near the end, a new person appeared and gained financial control, or late changes to estate documents benefited one person disproportionately.

What to do next

• Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
• Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
• Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
• Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.

Related questions

• What if I think someone manipulated the will or trust before death?
• What are my rights if I was left out of the will?
• What is a no-contest clause in a will or trust?
• What if the executor is mismanaging the estate?
• What if the executor won't communicate with me?