For over 20 years Dr. Bernatz was an expert at the forefront of legal matters involving undue influence, capacity, and financial elder abuse. In a statement of decision, the court acknowledged her expertise; her "career-long experience," "pioneering achievements," and "impeccable credentials."
She began her expert witness career in financial elder abuse in 1997 and by 2006 Dr. Bernatz developed and published the undue influence model SCAM™ and the 4 bucket system™ that provides guidance on how to gather and analyze the circumstantial evidence in undue influence matters.
A year later, in 2007, Dr. Bernatz became a founding member of the world renowned Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center (LACEAFC), and the psychologists at Bernatz Experts have been the primary consultants since its opening.
In 2008, Dr. Bernatz established a professional training program for her associate psychologists at the LACEAFC to educate them in the field of undue influence, capacity and financial elder abuse.
By 2014, Dr. Bernatz's SCAM™ model was reflected in the new California Probate Code (PC § 86 and WIC 15610.70) regarding undue influence.
Dr. Bernatz passed away in 2021, but her associates continue to be the expert witness team you can count on to assist you in resolving the undue influence, capacity, or financial elder abuse litigated matter through mediation or providing you with the litigation support for a successful outcome at trial.