Geriatric forensic SERVICES
I am a licensed psychologist, and I have been continuously licensed in Colorado since 2004. I have been continuously licensed in Wyoming since 2014. I am credentialed through PsyPact to conduct forensic psychological evaluations in a total of 41 states.
I work as an expert psychologist and expert neuropsychologist, specializing in older adults, geriatric psychology, and geropsychology. I earned a bachelor’s degree in 1995 from Trinity University, double majoring in psychology and religious studies. I have master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from the University of Denver (1997 and 2001, respectively), and I have engaged in hundreds of hours of postgraduate training in forensic psychology, forensic assessment, neuropsychology, and geropsychology. I also complete at least 15 hours per year of continuing legal education in the areas of elder law and estate planning. Since 2004, I have owned my own practice, where I specialize in forensic evaluation and assessment. Roughly 50% of my practice is clinical, where I treat and/or evaluate individuals. At this point in my career, I have conducted more than 2,000 evaluations. I have conducted more than 120 evaluations of testamentary and/or contractual capacity and undue influence. I have presented multiple times on issues related to guardianship, conservatorship, will contests, testamentary capacity, and undue influence (often for CLE credit for attorneys). I have testified under oath more than 100 times, for both plaintiffs (petitioners) and defendants (respondents), and I have never failed to have been qualified as an expert. In addition to my private practice, I was on the faculty of the University of Denver for twelve years, where I taught graduate level classes in psychological assessment, cognitive and neuropsychological assessment, and in the ethical and legal practice of psychology.
I have conducted retrospective evaluations and have testified in cases in 11 states, and I am familiar with statutory and case law related to testamentary capacity, undue influence, and guardianship/conservatorship in all 50 states. See my writing in this area.
Knowledgeable, unbiased, and accessible. I take my time with each case and make certain my opinions are backed by evidence, research, and case law. I produce reports you can use in mediation and at trial, and I try to make them air-tight; my goal is to write a good enough report that opposing counsel does not want to depose me. And, I love older adults: I find this work incredibly rewarding, and I end up having a lot of fun with my clients!
“One of the very best expert reports I’ve ever obtained. It was thorough, well researched, and exactly on point.”
photo by BBH Singapore
Testamentary Capacity
Whether you are concerned about your client’s capacity and want an evaluation prior to the signing of a will, or you suspect a decedent did not have testamentary capacity years ago, I can help you understand these issues.
“Dr. Wachtel helps me humanize my clients.”
photo by Hazy Momo
undue influence / exploitation
I use a research-based approach to evaluate for current exploitation, past undue influence of decedents, susceptibility to undue influence, and whether or not any actual undue influence or financial exploitation occurred.
“[Dr. Wachtel] knows how to make the most difficult concepts understandable.”
photo by Jordan Whitt
contractual capacity
Signing complicated documents, powers of attorney, car leases, transfers of deeds. Make sure your clients knew what they were doing and that they understood the nature and effect of the contracts they signed.
photo by Jeison Higuita
guardianship / conservatorship
I help attorneys and courts understand the functional needs of vulnerable senior citizens, including whether they need a guardian or conservator and whether there should be any limits placed on guardianship or conservatorship.