This month, the Will and Probate Litigator Blog is featuring the second installment of the “Legal and Psychiatric Perspectives of Undue Influence” with partner Robert Brunson and Charleston, S.C. Psychiatrist, Dr. Linda Austin. Robert interviews Dr. Austin about the prevalence of dementia in an increasingly aging baby boomer population and the risks that declining cognitive functioning can pose to high wealth families. This interview involves what families should look for if they are concerned that a parent may be vulnerable to undue influence.

The interview is divided into three parts. The first installment, released in July, discusses the general issues of cognitive decline and the potential for undue influence. The second interview segment, posted above, concerns what families should look for if they are concerned that a parent may be vulnerable to undue influence. The third segment, launching in September, includes a discussion of what to do when the family believes a parent or grandparent is being influenced unduly. Each installation is short but contains essential information from both the legal and mental health perspectives of this complicated and often vexing issue.