Trusts, Estates & Probate

WI Specific

Wisconsin Trusts Guide

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 7 Total
OnDemand
5 hours 56 minutes
Michael Bezoian
Mary Youssi
Gini Hendrickson
Gretchen Burgess
Sarah Barnes
With Michael Bezoian from DeWitt LLP + 4 others
Recorded May 16, 2025
Product ID 100055

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Overview

Explore the Building Blocks of Estate Plans

This practical introduction to trusts will help you build a better understanding of how they're chosen, created, and used. Break down the different types of trusts, the trust language used in drafting and case law, key tax planning and reporting issues, and essential trust administration tasks. Be prepared for specific challenges associated with various types of trusts by understanding their unique characteristics. Register today!

  • Master essential trust principles.
  • Explore top trusts currently in practice: their unique features, requirements, and uses.
  • Identify key revocable trust mistakes and get guidance for preventing problems.
  • Explore tax saving tactics tailored to unique client needs.
  • Get suggestions for the use of specific language in trusts.
  • Clarify the requirements for the formation of a special needs trust.
  • Come away with practical examples and trust language needed to put your new knowledge to use right away.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Introduction to Trusts: Main Terms, Concepts, Parties
  2. Irrevocable Trusts: Essential Uses and Key Provisions
  3. Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) Structures and Uses (With Sample Trust Language)
  4. Other Unique Trust Structures of Note
  5. Taxation and Tax Consequences of Trusts
  6. Revocable Living Trusts
  7. Trust Administration Basics
  8. Legal Ethics of the Trusts Practice

Related Topics

Product ID 100055

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 7 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Introduction to Trusts: Main Terms, Concepts, Parties

    1. Main Terms and Concepts Defined
    2. State and Federal Laws Governing the Creation and Administration of Trusts
    3. State and Local Tax and Property Laws Affecting Trust Drafting
    4. Who Are the Main Parties? Their Duties and Responsibilities to a Trust
    5. Clarifying Reasons for Drafting a Trust
    6. Deciding Which Type of Trust to Use
    7. Top Trust Uses for Non-Taxable Estates

  2. Irrevocable Trusts: Essential Uses and Key Provisions

    1. Unique Features of Irrevocable Trusts
    2. Trust Language Review
    3. Types of Irrevocable Trusts and Their Uses

  3. Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) Structures and Uses (With Sample Trust Language)

    1. The Types of Special Needs Trusts and Their Specific Purposes
    2. Who Can Be the Beneficiary
    3. Protecting Benefits Eligibility
    4. Drafting Tips and Sample Trust Provisions
    5. Maximizing Allowable Expenses

  4. Other Unique Trust Structures of Note

    1. Charitable Trusts
    2. IRA Trusts After the SECURE Act
    3. Generation-Skipping/Dynasty Trusts
    4. Medicaid Qualifying Income-Only Trusts (Miller Trusts)
    5. Pet Trusts
    6. Cabin Trusts
    7. Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts
    8. NFA Gun Trusts
    9. Incomplete Non-Grantor Trusts

  5. Taxation and Tax Consequences of Trusts

    1. State and Federal Tax Laws Update
    2. Tax Reporting: Accounting vs. Distributable vs. Taxable Income
    3. Fiduciary Tax Returns
    4. Tax Basis in the Assets
    5. Tax Consequences of Trustee Investment, Distributions, and Other Activity
    6. Trusts Used for Tax Reduction
    7. Marital Trusts After ATRA and TCJA
    8. Grantor Trusts and Grantor Trust Status Toggling
    9. Trusts in Estate Administration

  6. Revocable Living Trusts

    1. Testamentary vs. Revocable Trusts (and Pourover Wills)
    2. Drafting Tips and Samples
    3. Common Mistakes to Avoid
    4. Qualified Terminable Interest Trusts (QTIPs)
    5. Tax Consequences and Planning
    6. When a Revocable Trust Becomes Irrevocable

  7. Trust Administration Basics

    1. Trust Funding and Trust Assets Management
    2. Laws Governing the Administration of Trusts
    3. Administration Expenses and Trustee Compensation
    4. Distributions and Accountings
    5. Trust Modification, Decanting, and Constructive Trusts
    6. Common Disputes

  8. Legal Ethics of the Trusts Practice

    1. Who is Your Client?
    2. Confidentiality in Third Party Communications
    3. Assessing the Client's Capacity
    4. Avoiding Fraudulent Transfers

Who Should Attend

This basic level online seminar is designed for the professionals involved in creating and administering trusts:

  • Attorneys
  • Accountants and CPAs
  • Trust Officers
  • Tax Managers
  • Wealth Managers

Speakers

Michael Bezoian
Michael
Bezoian
DeWitt LLP
Mary C Youssi
Mary C.
Youssi
Walny Legal Group LLC
Gini L Hendrickson
Gini L.
Hendrickson
Amundsen Davis LLC
Gretchen J Burgess
Gretchen J.
Burgess
Murphy Desmond, S.C.
Sarah J Barnes
Sarah J.
Barnes
National Benefits Services, LLC
Speaker bio
Michael Bezoian

Michael Bezoian

DeWitt LLP
Michael Bezoian

is an attorney at DeWitt LLP, where his practice primarily focuses on preparing comprehensive estate plans for clients with vastly diverse backgrounds, objectives, and net worths. He has extensive experience drafting last wills, powers of attorney, revocable trusts, and irrevocable trusts. In addition, Mr. Bezoian works with clients in preparing and negotiating pre- and post-nuptial agreements. He earned his B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from the University of California, Los Angeles and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin Law School. Mr. Bezoian is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

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Speaker bio
Mary C Youssi

Mary C. Youssi

Walny Legal Group LLC
Mary Youssi

is an attorney at Walny Legal Group LLC, with offices in Milwaukee and Elm Grove. Her practice areas consist of estate planning and administration, probate, and asset protection planning, as well as elder law, including adult guardianship and protective placement. Ms. Youssi earned her B.A. degree from UW-Milwaukee and her J.D. degree from Marquette University Law School. She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin in the Elder Law Chapter; in addition to the Milwaukee Bar Association, where she is a member of the Probate Bench-Bar Committee. Ms. Youssi continues to volunteer as a Moot Court judge and coach for current Marquette Law students.

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Speaker bio
Gini L Hendrickson

Gini L. Hendrickson

Amundsen Davis LLC
Gini Hendrickson

is an attorney at Amundsen Davis LLC located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her practice focuses on business law, tax, estate planning, probate and trust administration, real estate for businesses and individuals, and business succession planning for family-owned businesses. Additionally, Ms. Hendrickson aids in the creation of nonprofit entities such as 501(c)3 organizations as well as corporate and family foundations. She earned her B.A. degree, with honors, from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and her J.D. degree from Pace University. Ms. Hendrickson is a member of American Inns of Court, Forum for Women Estate Counselors, Wisconsin Planned Giving Council, and Madison Estate Planning Council; and a board member of Madison Estate Council. She is also a member of ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section; Litigation: Ethics and Malpractice Committee, and Probate and Fiduciary Litigation Committee. Ms. Hendrickson is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin.

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Speaker bio
Gretchen J Burgess

Gretchen J. Burgess

Murphy Desmond, S.C.
Gretchen Burgess

is an attorney shareholder at Murphy Desmond Lawyers S.C., where she is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of estate planning, including the preparation of revocable and irrevocable trusts, wills, powers of attorney for healthcare and finance, special and supplemental needs trusts, and marital property agreements. Ms. Burgess also handles the establishment and termination of adult guardianships, as well as the preparation of Wispact trusts and Medicaid planning. She assists clients in all aspects of the estate administration process, including formal and informal estate administration, special administration, and trust administration. Ms. Burgess earned her B.A. degree from Macalester College in Japan studies and her J.D. degree from Hamline University School of Law with an international law concentration. She is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, Dane County Bar Association, and Madison Estate Council, and is on the Board of Directors for Blackhawk Technical College Foundation. Ms. Burgess is also an admissions representative at Macalester College. She is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and licensure in Illinois is pending.

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Speaker bio
Sarah J Barnes

Sarah J. Barnes

National Benefits Services, LLC
Sarah Barnes

is an attorney and legal counsel with National Benefits Services LLC, where she handles all levels of trust and estate administration matters. She was previously in private practice for many years, where she practiced in the areas of estate planning and elder law. Ms. Barnes earned her B.A. degree from Edgewood College and her J.D. degree from Marquette University Law School. Her professional memberships include the State Bar of Wisconsin, Dane County Bar Association, Legal Association of Women, and the Madison Estate Planning Council. Ms. Barnes serves on a number of non-profit boards, is a frequent speaker at various continuing legal education seminars, and has served as guest faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is admitted to practice in the state of Wisconsin.

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Yes, the more people you bring from your organization, the more you save. After the first registration, each additional attendee receives a special discount off of their total tuition.
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The OnDemand Video will be available to stream within 14 days of live broadcast date. You will have access to the content for 6 months in your account. If you’re a subscriber, you’ll have access to your course recordings until 7 days after the expiration date of the subscription.
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