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Wills - Undue Influence

Attorney Working To Make Sure There is No Undue Influence In A Will

Wills can be contested on a number of grounds including that the testator was incompetent to make a will at the time of signing it or the signing of the will was subject to Undue Influence (e.g., coercion, manipulation, deception, compulsion, intimidation, etc.). A good New York City contested wills attorney with experience in estates and wills can help prevent such problems. 

Undue influence is typically not easy to demonstrate.  Essentially, it must be shown that the person signing the Will, the testator, set forth provisions that were against his free will and his desired intentions.  Generally, the testator must be shown to have been unable to counteract the influence due to illness or other factors that caused him to be too weak or unable to make his own choices.  It is commonly noted that to demonstrate undue influence, an objectant needs to show that the wrongdoer had opportunity, motive and that undue influence was actually practiced.  Undue influence will usually not be found just because a beneficiary was kind to a person in his old age or simply asked to be made a Will beneficiary.  However, there are certain situations where a Court will infer the existence of such influence.  Such instances occur where persons in a confidential relationship with testator are made beneficiaries.  For example, where the attorney who drafts the testator's Will is also named as a Will beneficiary.  Situations where a person who has a power of attorney and end up as a Will beneficiary may also provide the basis for such inference.

Contesting a Will in New York requires that the Court be provided with very specific information that can demonstrate that a Will should be ignored.  Since the testator is now deceased, Courts tend to want to follow the provisions that are set forth in a written Will unless it is clear that the document should be rejected.

As a New York City attorney, I have also represented clients in cases where their potential inheritance has been affected by an undue influence will.  The presence of undue influence in connection with a will can result in the will not being valid.

I have many years of experience working with and advising clients in the creation and implementation of wills that express the clients’ personal desires regarding the disposition and protection of assets while providing potential tax advantages and security for family and beneficiaries. I work to make sure that there is no undue influence in the creation of a will and that clients are not deprived of an inheritance because of an undue influence will.

I was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1979 and admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1982 after graduating in the top 10% of my class at The New England School of Law in Boston. I was admitted to the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. I started my own law practice as an attorney in New York City in 1985.

For personalized attentive service and a free case evaluation with a New York City lawyer, you can contact me by telephone (212) 355-2575, fax (212) 751-5911 or e-mail

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I am very grateful to Mr. Jules Martin Haas attorney of law in New York. I am from Buenos Aires Argentina. He managed with expertise a very difficult situation. of a complicate heritage from my aunt Anna Grodzka that lived and died a very long time ago in New York. I recommend him not only for his extraordinary knowledge but also for his kindness. Irma CW Peusner
★★★★★
I found Mr. Haas after being misguided by a former attorney. Mr. Jules Haas took our case which involved an estate/trust dispute. What initially seemed like an impossible and overwhelming legal fight was now in the hands of someone who had the integrity and legal expertise to win our case. Mr Haas' attention to detail and his expert knowledge base, skillfully and successfully guided us through an intricate legal process. I am very thankful and grateful to Mr. Jules Haas for representing our interest and ultimately winning. Bringing about a peace of mind we needed. Thank You Devida Nedd
★★★★★
I was in need of a guardianship attorney and I hired the services of Jules M. Haas' Law firm. The service of counselor Haas and his staff, was very profesional and the case was handled in a timely matter. I would strongly recommend his services Angel Guevara
★★★★★
I strongly recommend Jules Haas. I have worked with him for two years and he has provided so much support and followed through with everything he promised he would do. His support staff is just as helpful! We had an interesting case and he helped to solve each part of it legally and was very thorough. Thank you for everything you have done to finalize our families estate Robyn Stafford
★★★★★
Jules Haas helped me with managing the process in probate court for my father's estate through to its completion upon the sale of my father's house. He was knowledgeable, efficient, and effective in submitting documentation to the probate court, explaining procedures to me, and advising me as to the progress of my case. His support staff was also very helpful. He made what for me created so much anxiety into something manageable where I could see progress every step of the way. His fees were very reasonable. I am super grateful to him for all the help he has provided and strongly recommend his services. Diana Janer
★★★★★
I just completed an estate transaction where Jules Haas represented my client in an estate and he did a great job! He was very quick at responding to all matters throughout the sale process, he was detailed, he was knowledgeable and he was a pleasure to work with. I just recommended him to some new clients who are going through an estate matter and will continue to recommend him. Rodolfo Lucchese