Probate Practice: The Essential Basics Training Class

Course ID: 13949

Probate Practice: The Essential Basics Training Seminar

Efficiently and Accurately Handle the Challenges of Probate

To ensure a successful outcome in settling an estate for your clients, you need to have a thorough understanding of the probate process. How does your knowledge stack up? Get the solid foundation you need to thrive in the probate arena by attending this up-to-the-minute seminar. Examine the nuts and bolts of the probate process so you'll be better prepared to handle decedents' estates.

Along with our experienced faculty, you'll learn about the probate process from initiation all the way through to closing the estate. Reduce delays, taxes and expenses in estate administration. Recognize and deal with potential tax problems and handle even the most difficult claims against the estate. Develop strategies for locating, collecting, and taking inventory of the decedent's assets, and recognize the importance of ethics in dealing with clients. Minimize costs and expenses for you and your clients with our time-saving tips.

Learn about the probate process from start to finish!

Know how to and where to begin the probate process and improve your efficiency.
Interview and determine the best personal representative for each situation.
Properly handle claims against the estate.
Discover hidden ways to determine the existence of a will.
Recognize and protect spousal rights and advise knowledgeably on what family allowances can be taken.
Easily coordinate the filing of the estate tax and fiduciary income tax return.
Confidently handle the closing process from the timing of distributions to obtaining discharge of the personal representative.
Identify common probate problems and come away with solutions that work.


	Agenda
	INITIATING THE PROBATE PROCESS Kevin A. Craine, 8:30 - 9:30 Interviewing and Determining the Personal Representative Evaluating the Estate to Minimize Costs and Expenses -- The High Cost of Dying Locating, Collecting and Taking Inventory of the Decedent's Assets -- Probate vs. Nonprobate Determining Which Types of Administration are Right for You -- Informal or Formal Elections and Filings Handling Claims Against the Estate Using Renunciation and Disclaimers as a Post-Mortem Planning Device SPOUSE'S RIGHTS AND FAMILY MAINTENANCE Jack G. Gibbs Jr., 9:30 - 10:30 Determining the Existence or Nonexistence of a Will Duties of the Personal Representative Homestead and Exempt Property -- What is Legally Your Client's, Regardless of Value Effect of Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements The Surviving Spouse's Elective Share What are the Family Allowances That Can Be Taken? BASIC TAX MATTERS Joseph F. Frasch Jr., 10:45 - 12:00 Overview of Tax Compliance and Post-Mortem Planning Coordinating and Filing the Estate Tax and Fiduciary Income Tax Return Planning for an Estate Tax Audit Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes Disclaimers Reverse QTIP Elections CLOSING THE ESTATE Joseph F. Frasch Jr., 1:00 - 2:30 Timing of Distributions Transfer of Probate and Nonprobate Assets Distributions to Minors and Trusts Preparing the Final Account Petition for Complete Settlement Obtaining Discharge of the Personal Representative ETHICS IN PROBATE PRACTICE Kevin A. Craine and Gregory S. DuPont, 2:45 - 3:45 Performing Competent Legal Services Identifying the Client Avoiding Conflicts of Interest Distinguishing Privileged and Non-Privileged Communication Keeping the Client Informed Establishing Attorneys' Fees COMMON PROBATE PROBLEMS AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM Gregory S. DuPont, 3:45 - 4:40 What to Do When the Decedent Has Property in More Than One State -- Multiple Domiciles Inter Vivos and Testamentary Trusts Intestate Administration Lost/Withheld Wills


	Audience
	This basic level seminar will greatly benefit attorneys with limited or no experience in probate practice, paralegals who assist them, accountants who need to know the rules and regulations pertaining to tax administration of the estate, and trust officers who deal with probate issues.