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What's New in Undue Influence: Tools, Definitions, and Court Responses (November 7, 2018)

Webinar Recording

Mary Joy Quinn's slides
Nancy Hoffman's slides
Dr. Sheila Jones & Cecilia Steiner-Smith's slides


In 2015-16, a team of researchers in California created the California Undue Influence Screening Tool (CUIST) to help Adult Protective Services (APS) workers identify and document this murky, "know it when I see it" threat to older American's security, autonomy, and assets. The tool reflects the state's civil definition of undue influence that was created in 2014 to reflect current understanding of the phenomenon. Mary Joy Quinn, who directed the project, described CUIST and the new definition. Geriatric neuropsychologist Nancy Hoffman, PhD; who provides consultation, assessment, and expert witness testimony in forensic cases involving mental capacity, undue influence, conservatorships, will contests, and financial elder abuse; described how she has incorporated CUIST into her practice and how California courts are responding to the new definition.

APS workers in the District of Columbia began using CUIST in 2017 under the leadership of Dr. Sheila Jones, Chief for Adult Protective Services, Department of Human Services, Family Services Administration. This followed the passage of the Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult or Elderly Person, which established undue influence as a criminal offense the previous year. Assistant Attorney General Cecelia Steiner-Smith, JD, who represents APS in guardianship and conservatorship cases and in obtaining temporary protection orders, civil protection orders, and provisional protection orders for vulnerable adults, discussed DC’s new law for undue influence and the court’s response.

This webinar is intended for professionals and advocates who are interested in improving their communities' response to undue influence.

For copies of CUIST and more on undue influence, visit CEJC's Undue Influence Toolkit page.

Panelists included:

Mary Joy Quinn, Consultant and retired Director of San Francisco Probate Department
Dr. Nancy Hoffman, Geriatric Neuropsychologist
Dr. Sheila Jones, Chief, Adult Protective Services, District of Columbia
M. Cecelia Steiner-Smith, JD, Assistant Attorney General, District of Columbia

This National Elder Justice Advocates Academy webinar was hosted by CEJC with support from the Huguette Clark Family Fund for the Protection of Elders.

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