The question I asked earlier about if the drafter of a will is also a beneficiary, how many degrees of separation are permitted between the drafter and the testator before a Certificate of Independent Review is required is for the State of California thus is the answer 3 degrees or 4 degrees? However, I was told by an expert here: In summary, 4 degrees of separation is the limit before undue influence is presumed, but 3 degrees may be a stricter standard used in certain cases or jurisdictions. The rule you follow depends on your jurisdiction's specific estate planning laws. The jurisdiction here is California and the question does not state whether it is family or not so is it still 4 degrees or 3?