If you’ve just binged Season 2 of Wednesday, you’ll know it’s not just the monsters that are scary, it’s the estate planning. In one eerie scene, the headmaster attempts to manipulate Grandma Addams into leaving her fortune to the school and him instead of her family. The twist? He uses a literal siren to charm her into changing her wishes.

As a Contentious Probate Paralegal, I couldn’t help but sit up straighter. Because while sirens might be fictional, undue influence is very real, and it’s one of the most common grounds for challenging a will.

What Is Undue Influence?

In probate disputes, undue influence occurs when someone exerts pressure on a vulnerable person to change their will, often to benefit themselves. It’s not always as dramatic as a mythical creature singing sweet nothings, but it can be just as insidious:

• Isolation from family
• Control over finances or care
• Emotional manipulation
• Sudden changes to longstanding wishes

In Grandma Wednesday’s case, the siren’s powers were supernatural. In real life, it might be a caregiver, relative, or even a professional advisor who crosses the line.

Why It Matters

Wills are meant to reflect the true wishes of the person making them. When coercion creeps in, it undermines autonomy and fairness, two pillars of good estate planning. That’s why contentious probate exists: to protect legacies from being hijacked.

Lessons from Nevermore

So, what can we learn from Wednesday’s gothic world?

1. Suspicious circumstances deserve scrutiny. If a will suddenly changes in favour of someone with influence, it’s worth asking why.
2. Documentation is key. Keeping clear records of intentions, capacity assessments, and independent advice can help defend a will, or challenge one.
3. Family dynamics are complex. Just like the Addams Family, real families have layers. Probate disputes often reveal long-standing tensions, secrets, and power plays.

Final Thoughts

While we don’t (yet) have sirens in the courtroom, we do have legal tools to challenge wills that don’t feel right. If you suspect undue influence, speak to a specialist, preferably one who’s watched Wednesday and knows their way around both monsters and mandates.

And remember estate planning should be about love, legacy, and clarity, not coercion.