What is the meaning of undue influence?

Undue influence refers to a situation in which one party exerts excessive pressure on another, compromising their ability to make free and informed decisions. This often occurs in relationships where there is a power imbalance, such as between a caregiver and a dependent individual. The result can be the manipulation of decisions, especially in legal contexts like wills or contracts, leading to outcomes that may not reflect the true intentions of the influenced party. Legally, proving undue influence typically requires demonstrating that the influencer had a significant degree of control over the influenced party's decision-making process.