Training Course Syllabus:

Estate Administration From Start to Finish

A Step-By-Step Guide to Estate Administration

Designed for attorneys who are new to estate administration or need a basic refresher, this course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of estate administration, including proper asset valuation and distribution, taxation, and account closing procedures. You'll also learn how to correctly deal with thorny estate administration debt issues, including jointly held assets, business ownership and complex tax issues. Equip yourself with real-life, practical knowledge to ensure you are fully prepared to handle the entire estate administration process from start to finish - register today!

• Learn how to meet every deadline, follow procedures and complete essential forms.
• Identify key estate administration pitfalls you need to avoid.
• Manage your client's entire estate administration procedures properly and effectively.
• Learn how to tackle complex estate administration issues such as taxes, jointly held assets and will contests.
• Understand how to properly transfer and distribute assets.
• Explore proper procedures and processes when dealing with insurance claims and debt during estate administration.
• Gain a better understanding of the probate court's procedures so that you can avoid common pitfalls and mistakes.
• Get the latest information on allowances and elections against the will.
• Identify how to properly distribute assets to minors, surviving spouses and trusts.

This is a rebroadcast of the original webcast delivered by Brandon A. Borgmann, Daniel P. Kapsak and Michelle Stoll on December 30, 2013. Faculty will be available to answer your questions after the program.

All times are shown in Eastern time

1. COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS AND INFORMATION GATHERING
   11:00 - 11:45, Brandon A. Borgmann
   1. Overview of Probate Processes
      1. Full Probate Administration
      2. Summary Administration
   2. First Meeting with Family or Designated Personal Representative
   3. Fee Agreements
   4. Using Online and Government Resources to Locate Information
   5. Ancillary Administration
2. INITIAL STEPS TO THE ESTATE ADMINISTRATION PROCESS
   11:45 - 12:15, Brandon A. Borgmann
   1. Intestate Estates
   2. Determination of Heirs
   3. Interpreting Provisions and Terms of Art Found in Wills
   4. Using Disclaimers Correctly
3. MARSHALLING ASSETS
   12:30 - 1:00, Michelle Stoll
   1. Procedures to Locating and Marshalling Probate and Non-Probate Assets
      1. Safe Deposit Boxes and Bank Accounts
      2. Real Estate
      3. Brokerage Accounts, 401Ks, IRAs, Pensions and Life Insurance Policies
   2. Sample Forms and Documents Needed
   3. Appraisers and Valuing the Property of Probate Estates
4. HANDLING CLAIMS AND DEBT
   1:00 - 1:45, Brandon A. Borgmann
   1. Understanding the Claims Period
   2. Presentation of Claims Against the Estate
   3. Assets Subject to Claims
   4. Priority and Payment of Claims
   5. Contested Claims
   6. Insolvency and Foreclosure
   7. Selling Assets and Dealing with Creditors
5. COMPLEX ISSUES IN ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
   2:15 - 3:00, Daniel P. Kapsak
   1. Jointly Held Assets
   2. Spousal Claims
      1. Allowances and Elections Against the Will
   3. Handling Unmarried Couples and Stepchildren
   4. Will Contests, Trust and Estate Disputes
   5. Business Ownership
   6. Agency Problems Involving Guardianships, Conservatorships, Powers of Attorney or Other Agency Relationships
6. HANDLING ESTATE ADMINISTRATION TAX ISSUES
   3:00 - 4:00, Daniel P. Kapsak and Michelle Stoll
   1. Examples of Forms Needed
   2. Overview of Estate Tax Valuation
   3. Properly Filing and Payment of Federal Estate Tax Returns
   4. Federal Income Tax Issues for the Descendent and the Estate
   5. Resolving Disputes with Taxing Authorities
   6. Deductions and Exemptions
   7. How the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Affects Your Clients
   8. Tax Deadlines and Handling Extensions
   9. Sales of Real Property
7. DISTRIBUTION AND CLOSING OF THE ESTATE
   4:00 - 4:45, Michelle Stoll
   1. Sample Forms, Agreements and Documents Needed
   2. Proper Transferring and Distribution of Probate and Non-Probate Assets and Timing of Distributions
      1. Real Estate
      2. 401Ks, IRAs, Pensions and Life Insurance Policies
      3. Distribution of Miscellaneous Assets (Automobiles, Jewelry, Etc.)
   3. Distributions in Kind
   4. Distribution to Minors, Surviving Spouse and Trusts
   5. Disposition of Unclaimed Assets
   6. Proper Settlement of the Estate
      1. Formal and Informal Estate Accountings
      2. Choosing the Appropriate Closing Procedure
      3. Compensation and Discharge of the Personal Representative
8. ETHICS AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
   5:00 - 6:00, Daniel P. Kapsak
   1. Breach of Fiduciary Responsibility
   2. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   3. Attorney-Client Privilege
   4. Fee Agreements

Seminar Summary:

Designed for attorneys who are new to estate administration or need a basic refresher, this course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of estate administration, including proper asset valuation and distribution, taxation, and account closing procedures. (see full course description)

print this agenda