When you create your estate plan, you likely put a lot of time and thought into choosing your executor. After all, they are one of the most important people involved in your estate plan, and they should serve your best interests throughout your life and after your death.
Unfortunately, some executors will not fit the bill, though. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, some executors simply do not have your best interests in mind.
Manipulators after an estate
Cornell Law School takes a look at a phenomenon called undue influence. Typically, this refers to instances in which a manipulator will take advantage of an aging person to gain access to their estate in some way. For example, a person may talk their way into being granted the role of executor, or they may manipulate their way into it through trickery, such as forcing the victim to sign away their power without them realizing it.
Manipulators aiming for someone’s estate will have a variety of tricks up their sleeve. They may try to isolate you in order to prevent outside influence and interference. They could exert a large amount of control, such as demanding to make all of your medical appointments, pick up your medications, dole out dosages, and keeping your schedule to his- or herself instead of sharing it with you.
Gaslighting and manipulative tactics
They will also often gaslight victims, i.e. try to convince you that something is or is not real when the opposite is true. If you suffer from age-related dementia or other mental health illnesses, they will often capitalize on this to make you doubt yourself.
It is important to take immediate action against such manipulators. You can start by getting in contact with loved ones to gather more opinions on what you should do next.
