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Overview
A Comprehensive Step-By-Step Guide to Estate Administration
Whether you're 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 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.
- Come away with helpful forms, sample documents, and checklists to assist in the process.
- Acquire strategies to ensure you can help your clients through every step of the probate process.
- Manage your client's entire estate administration procedures properly and effectively.
- 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.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Commencement of Proceedings and Information Gathering
- Initial Steps to the Estate Administration Process
- Marshalling Assets
- Handling Creditor Claims and Debt
- Handling Estate Administration Tax Issues
- Distribution and Closing of the Estate
- Ethics and Estate Administration
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana CLE |
|
6.75 Total | 11-12-2027 |
| North Dakota CLE |
|
6.75 Total | 11-12-2027 |
Select Jurisdiction
CLE
Agenda
-
Commencement of Proceedings and Information Gathering
- Appointment of Estate Administration
- Formal vs. Informal Proceedings
- Sample Letters of Authority
- First Meeting With Family or Designated Personal Representative and Determination of Heirs
- Written Fee Agreements
- Tips to Locate Information Quickly Using Online and Government Resources
- Dealing with Multiple States
- Appointment of Estate Administration
-
Initial Steps to the Estate Administration Process
- Understanding the Laws of Intestacy
- Sample Estate Administration Checklists, Forms and Required Notices Needed
- Interpreting Provisions and Terms of Art Found in Wills
- Using Disclaimers Correctly
-
Marshalling Assets
- Procedures to Locating and Marshalling Probate and Non-Probate Assets
- Safe Deposit Boxes and Bank Accounts
- Real Estate
- Brokerage Accounts, 401Ks, IRAs, Pensions and Life Insurance Policies
- Sample Forms and Documents Needed
- Appraisers and Valuing the Property of Probate Estates
- Procedures to Locating and Marshalling Probate and Non-Probate Assets
-
Handling Creditor Claims and Debt
- Sample Forms and Required Notices Needed
- Priority and Payment of Claims
- Late Claims and Contested Claims
- Steps to Ensure all Debt is Located and Handled Correctly
- What if the Assets Don't Cover the Bills?
- Bankruptcy and Foreclosure
- Selling of Assets and Properly Dealing with Creditors
-
Handling Estate Administration Tax Issues
- Examples of Forms Needed
- Federal and State Estate Tax Considerations
- Income Tax Issues for the Estate and the Heirs
- Resolving Disputes With Taxing Authorities
- Deductions and Exemptions
- How the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Affects Your Clients
- Tax Deadlines and Handling Extensions
- Sales of Real Property
-
Distribution and Closing of the Estate
- Sample Forms, Agreements and Documents Needed
- Proper Transferring and Distribution of Probate and Non-Probate Assets and Timing of Distributions
- Real Estate
- 401Ks, IRAs, Pensions and Life Insurance Policies
- Distribution of Miscellaneous Assets (Automobiles, Jewelry, Etc.)
- Distributions in Kind
- Distribution to Minors, Surviving Spouse and Trusts
- Disposition of Unclaimed Assets
- Proper Settlement of the Estate
- Formal and Informal Estate Accountings
- Choosing the Appropriate Closing Procedure
- Compensation and Discharge of the Personal Representative
-
Ethics and Estate Administration
- Breach of Fiduciary Responsibility
- Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
- Attorney-Client Privilege
- Fee Agreements
Who Should Attend
This basic level online seminar is designed for professionals who want to be more effective in the estate administration process, such as:
- Attorneys
- CPAs and Accountants
- Paralegals
- Wealth Managers
- Tax Professionals
- Trust Officers
Speakers
Speaker bio
Walter Clapp
is the founding partner of Honor Coin Law, PLLC, a high energy, tech-focused firm that aims to help reduce the cost of justice for those living in rural Montana. He is an orator on probate, business, constitutional and family law topics. Drawing on his studies in philosophy and religion, Mr. Clapp focuses on the attorney's counseling role for probate and family law matters. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from Rhodes College; and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University School of Law.
Speaker bio
Michelle H. Vanisko
is an attorney at Vanisko Law. Her practice areas include family law, estate planning, business formation, and probate. Ms. Vanisko earned her B.A. degree from Carroll College and her J.D. degree from University of Montana School of Law. She is licensed to practice in Montana, and the U.S. District Court, District Court of Montana. Ms. Vanisko is a member of the State Bar of Montana and the First Judicial District Bar Association.
Speaker bio
Trevor P. Funseth
is an attorney at Montana Estate Lawyers, P.C. He earned his B.S. degree in economics from MSU in Bozeman and his J.D. degree from UM Law School in Missoula. Mr. Funseth is admitted to practice law in Montana.
Speaker bio
Olivia L. Krebs
is an attorney with Kubik Bogner Ridl & Selinger, PLLP, where she focuses her practice in estate planning and probate, real estate law, business formation, and commercial law. Ms. Krebs earned her B.S. degree from the South Dakota State University and her J.D. degree from Creighton University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in North Dakota, Montana, and South Dakota. Ms. Krebs is a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, State Bar of Montana and State Bar of South Dakota.
Speaker bio
Karla L. Mendez
is an attorney for Moulton Bellingham. She specializes in commercial and business transactions, estate planning, and contract disputes. Ms. Mendez earned her first law degree in Mexico, with honors; and then received her J.D. degree attending Michigan State University College of Law, where she earned her second law degree, cum laude, and graduated top of her class. She is licensed to practice in Mexico and Montana. During law school, Mr. Mendez interned for the MSU College of Law Alvin L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic and also participated in the NHBA 2021 Moot Court Competion on behalf of MSU's top ranked moot court program.
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