Dissecting an Undue Influence Claim: From Intake to Appeal

Paul R. Shugar | Reminger Co. LPA

As a shareholder and Co-Chair of Reminger’s Estates, Trusts, and Probate Litigation Practice Group, Paul has statewide experience involving an array of million-dollar estate, trust, and guardianship issues such as undue influence, power of attorney abuse, and financial exploitation. An award-winning journalist who worked at daily newspapers around the country before becoming a lawyer, Paul employs the writing and investigation skills he developed as a reporter to maximize results in litigation. Whether you are ready to plan your estate, need questions answered after a family member dies, or believe litigation is necessary to challenge wills, beneficiary designations, or other bad acts, Paul has guided clients through post-death land, corporate, divorce, and oil-and-gas lease disputes.

Paul regularly lectures on estate and trust administration and litigation topics across the state of Ohio. He is an officer for the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association’s Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law Section and a member of the Ohio State Bar Association Probate Trust and Estate Section Council.

I. Understanding undue influence claims | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

• Key elements of an undue influence claim, common misconceptions, and challenges in proving or defending these cases

II. Litigation strategies and evidence | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

• Managing discovery, including medical and financial records, estate planning files, and utilizing depositions and expert witnesses effectively

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

III. Resolution and trial considerations | 2:10pm – 2:40pm

• Approaches for mediation, settlement strategies, and trial techniques for undue influence cases