Connecticut Probate Process: In 7 Simple Steps
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut CLE |
|
6 Total |
| New York CLE |
|
7 Total |
| New York CPE for Accountants |
|
7 Total |
| CPE for Accountants/NASBA |
|
7 Total |
Fri, Oct 23, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM
Fri, Oct 23, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM
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Overview
Learn How to Handle Assets, Taxes, Personal Representatives, and More!
This step-by-step practical instruction offers essential knowledge of probate processes and best practices for handling each unique case effectively. Learn how to tackle crucial first steps; handle the personal executive; gather, value, and distribute all assets; and successfully complete the final accounting and tax returns. Arm yourself with the foundational knowledge and best practices you need to ensure a smooth administration from start to finish. Register today!
- Don't overlook anything important: confidently navigate critical first steps.
- Understand executor powers, duties, responsibilities, and compensation guidelines.
- Learn how to effectively marshal and inventory all assets.
- Pick up tips for validating, prioritizing, and satisfying creditor claims.
- Get practical guidance for post-mortem planning, trust administration, and tax hurdles.
- Put the decedent's affairs to rest by making distributions, filing the final tax return, and completing the final accounting.
- Discover how to litigate deed contests, lost or contested wills, fiduciary misconduct, and more.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Opening the Estate
- Preparing the Personal Representatives for the Job
- Managing the Estate: Valuations, Spousal Share, and More
- Addressing Creditor Claims
- Post-Mortem Tax Planning, Distributions, and Trust Administration
- Handling Estate Closing, Final Accounting, and Tax Returns
- Maintaining an Ethical Practice
- Resolving Disputes and Navigating Probate Litigation
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Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut CLE |
|
6 Total |
| New York CLE |
|
7 Total |
| New York CPE for Accountants |
|
7 Total |
| CPE for Accountants/NASBA |
|
7 Total |
Select Jurisdiction
CLE
Other
Agenda
-
Opening the Estate
- What to Do in the First 48 Hours
- Obtaining the Will and Getting it Admitted
- Locating and Notifying the Beneficiaries
- Determining if the Estate Qualifies for a Small Estate Administration
- The Estate Timeline - What Must be Done When
- Filing the Initial Petition With the Probate Court: Forms and Procedures
- Sending Initial Notices to the Public and to State Agencies
- Closing the Decedent's Accounts
- Obtaining the Estate Tax ID
- Laws of Intestacy
-
Preparing the Personal Representatives for the Job
- Educating PRs on Their Duties, Powers, and Responsibilities
- Compiling Personal Representative Guide/Instructions
- Clarifying Executor Compensation
- Advising PRs on Potential Problems and Liability
-
Managing the Estate: Valuations, Spousal Share, and More
- Marshalling and Valuing Decedent's Assets
- Initial Inventory
- Maintenance and Management
- Determining Elective Share and Homestead Allowance
- Spousal Rights: Electing vs. Disclaiming the Share
- Claiming Homestead Allowance
- Portability Rules; Claiming Unused Lifetime Exclusion
- Estate Expenses: Payment and Record-Keeping
- What to Do With the Income the Estate is Producing
-
Addressing Creditor Claims
- Issuing Notices to Creditors: What Works Best
- Validating Claims
- Determining the Priority of Creditor Rights
- Selling Property to Satisfy Claims: What to Sell, How to Do it, and How to Properly Record it
- Satisfying Tax Claims and Liens
-
Post-Mortem Tax Planning, Distributions, and Trust Administration
- Managing the Tax Consequences of Elections and Receipt of Non-Probate Assets (e.g. IRA Distributions)
- Tax Implications of Transfers
- Creating Trusts and Subtrusts for Multiple Beneficiaries to Receive Their Shares of the Estate
- What to Do With Bequests and Trust Distributions to Minors
- Post-Mortem Tax Planning Approaches: How Much Maneuver Room is Left?
- How to Calculate the Omitted Spouse Share or Omitted Child Share
- Guarding Disabled Adult Beneficiaries' Benefits Eligibility
-
Handling Estate Closing, Final Accounting, and Tax Returns
- Tax Returns and Deadlines - Estate and Income, State and Federal, Decedent's and the Estate's
- Informal Closing by Statement of Personal Representative
- Compiling and Balancing the Final Account
- Final Distributions to Beneficiaries and Liability of Distributees
- Closing the Estate and Discharging the Fiduciary
-
Maintaining an Ethical Practice
- Whom do You Represent? Conflicts of Interest
- Protecting Client Confidentiality
- Attorney Fees
- Practicing Law in More Than One State
-
Resolving Disputes and Navigating Probate Litigation
- Will Contests, Deed Contests, Allegations of Undue Influence and Other Causes of Action
- Obtaining Court Guidance for Proposed Actions Regarding the Estate Administration
- Probate Litigation Rules, Procedures, and Evidentiary Provisions
- Fiduciary Misconduct, Liability, Disputes with Beneficiaries
- Effective Approaches to Resolving Disputes Without Going to Court
Who Should Attend
This basic level online seminar is designed for attorneys, accountants, tax professionals, trust officers, executors and other fiduciaries and paralegals.
Speakers
Speaker bio
Evelina M. Ruszkowski
is an attorney at The Prue Law Group, P.C., where she concentrates her practice in the various issues that arise in the settlement of estates and matters in probate court, as well as working with those who have suffered any type of personal injury. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire School of Law and holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical and biomedical engineering and a minor in business from the University of Rhode Island. Ms. Ruszkowski is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association and Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts. She is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Speaker bio
Philip C. Pires, Esq.
is a principal in the law firm of Cohen and Wolf, P.C. A persuasive and successful litigator, he has handled a variety of litigation matters including complex commercial disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, partnership and shareholder disputes, adverse possession claims, prescriptive easement claims, quiet title actions, landlord/tenant cases, and collection actions. Mr. Pires frequently appears in the Connecticut Probate Court system representing beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and creditors in a variety of probate litigation matters. In addition to litigation, he practices in the municipal and land use and zoning arena, regularly appearing before planning and zoning commissions, inland wetlands commissions, zoning boards of appeals, the Connecticut Siting Council, and other administrative agencies, advocating for applicants, developers, property owners, and neighborhood groups. Mr. Pires also regularly counsels municipalities and property owners in commercial and residential property tax appeals. As a former member of his hometown's governing board, his firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of town administration offers valuable insight to his clients. Mr. Pires earned his B.A. degree from Haverford College and his J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Speaker bio
Jean Rabinow
is a sole proprietor at McMillan & Rabinow, where she practices probate and elder law, and prepares wills and related documents. Ms. Rabinow earned her bachelor's degree from Knox College in Galesburg and her J.D. degree from Yale Law School. She is admitted to practice law in Connecticut.
Speaker bio
Leah A. Foertsch
is office managing partner with Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara LLC, and a member of the estate and trust planning, administration and litigation team. Her practice focuses on advising individuals and families in all areas of trust and estate planning, and probate administration. In addition, Ms. Foertsch has extensive experience in representing individuals and businesses in asset protection, wealth management, and tax strategies, and has managed multi-million dollar real estate transactions, including structuring deals and providing title insurance for both commercial and residential properties. She also works with businesses on their succession planning strategies and has advised clients regarding the best structure to meet their needs and goals. Previously, Ms. Foertsch managed the estate planning and real estate practice for the Palm Beach Gardens office of a multi-state law firm, where she also handled the representation of fiduciaries in all aspects of probate administration. She earned her J.D. degree from St. Thomas University School of Law, her Master of Laws in taxation from the University of Miami School of Law and her undergraduate degree in sociology from Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. Ms. Foertsch is licensed to practice in Florida, and is a member of The Florida Bar, Tax and Real Property, Probate and Trust sections.
Speaker bio
Kenneth A. Votre
is an attorney at Votre & Associates, P.C. He practices commercial litigation, taxation, tax litigation, international business litigation, legal malpractice, and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Votre earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Bridgeport, as well as his J.D. degree, magna cum laude. He earned his LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Bridgeport and his LL.M. degree in international and comparative law from Georgetown University Law Center. Mr. Votre is admitted to practice law in Connecticut; New York; U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut; U.S. Tax Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal and Second circuits; U.S. Court of International Trade; U.S. Supreme Court; and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.
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