IL Specific

Trusts, Estates & Probate

Step-by-Step Guide to Drafting Wills and Trusts in Illinois

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Illinois CLE Approved 6 Total
OnDemand
5 hours 51 minutes
Sandra Mertens
Chris Hopkins
Jennifer Guimond-Quigley
Shayla Maatuka
With Sandra D. Mertens from Gensburg, Calandriello & Kanter, P.C. + 3 others
Recorded January 30, 2025
Product ID 99625

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Overview

Complete With Essential Sample Forms, Tax Tactics, and Troubleshooting Solutions

Do you have all the information you need to draft customized testamentary documents for each of your clients? Don't spend years gathering precious bits of legal practice wisdom - our experienced attorney faculty are here to share their time-tested methods of identifying clients' needs and creating custom-tailored wills and trusts to fit each specific situation. This legal primer offers all the tools and sample forms to get you started. Get the fundamental skills you need to build your estate planning practice - register today!

  • Get practical will and trust drafting skills to speed up the process and give the testator's last wishes power.
  • Stave off conflicts of interest with a clear determination of who your client is from the start.
  • Learn how to deal with interested relatives who want to be present at all the planning meetings.
  • Explore the pros and cons of using a revocable living trust in the will's stead and find out when it's a better option.
  • Explore the functions and mechanics of major trust structures - and make certain you choose the right tool for each job.
  • Give each provision full power with precise word choices - get sample forms to speed up the process.
  • Make sure your remarried and unmarried clients know the default inheritance laws and help them make sure the right beneficiaries are assigned.
  • Anticipate key tax issues, including individual income tax planning and trust taxation.
  • Phrase the fiduciary and beneficiary designations to leave no room for misinterpretation.
  • Help your clients make the tough medical decisions regarding long-term care, end-of-life and organ donation.
  • Learn how to verify and document the testator's competency to close the door on any potential will contests.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Key Elements of Effective Wills
  2. Trusts as Alternatives to Wills
  3. Basic Tax Concerns
  4. Documenting Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and End-of-Life Decisions
  5. Planning for Unmarried and Remarried Couples
  6. Ethics

Related Topics

Product ID 99625

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Illinois CLE Approved 6 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Key Elements of Effective Wills

    1. Establishing Statutory Framework
    2. Types of Wills
    3. Verifying and Documenting the Testator's Competency
    4. Beneficiary Designations in Retirement Plans and Life Insurance
    5. Pension Distributions During and After Life
    6. Titling Assets
    7. Designating Fiduciaries
    8. Planning for Disabled Children
    9. Sample Will Verbiage
    10. Sample Forms
    11. Updating Will Documents

  2. Trusts as Alternatives to Wills

    1. When to Recommend a Trust Over a Will
    2. Types and Functions of Trusts
    3. Selecting Trustee(s)
    4. Choosing Trust Situs
    5. Trust Funding Basics
    6. Sample Forms

  3. Basic Tax Concerns

    1. Get Updated on Changing Legislation and Case Law
    2. Federal Estate and Gift Tax Update
    3. Assess the Impact of the State Estate Tax
    4. Individual Income Taxes - Issues You Need to Look At
    5. Generation Skipping Transfer Tax - Recent Changes
    6. Trust Taxation Basics
    7. Disclaimer Trusts
    8. Crummey Powers and the IRS
    9. Frequently Asked Questions About Fiduciary Taxes
    10. Tips for Calculating Tax Deductions
    11. Why a Comparison to Neighboring States' Taxes is Important

  4. Documenting Long-Term Care, Incapacity, and End-of-Life Decisions

    1. Basic Medicaid Planning
    2. Long-Term Care Options and Planning in a Nutshell
    3. Advance Medical Directives
    4. Powers of Attorney
    5. DNR Orders and Organ Donation Considerations

  5. Planning for Unmarried and Remarried Couples

    1. Pre- and Post-Marital Agreements
    2. Planning for Children From Previous Marriage(s)
    3. Estate Planning for Same Sex Couples

  6. Ethics

    1. Defining Who Your Client Is From the Start
    2. Handling Clients With Diminishing Mental Capacity
    3. Lawyers Acting as Fiduciaries
    4. Practicing Before the IRS
    5. Conflicts of Interest

Who Should Attend

This basic level online seminar offers foundational will and trust drafting skills that will benefit:

  • Attorneys
  • Paralegals
  • Trust Officers and Personal Representatives
  • Estate Planners
  • Accountants and CPAs
  • Tax Professionals

Speakers

Sandra D Mertens
Sandra D.
Mertens
Gensburg, Calandriello & Kanter, P.C.
Chris Hopkins
Chris
Hopkins
Perkins Coie
Jennifer L Guimond-Quigley
Jennifer L.
Guimond-Quigley
Law Office of Jennifer Guimond-Quigley
Shayla L Maatuka
Shayla L.
Maatuka
Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC
Speaker bio
Sandra D Mertens

Sandra D. Mertens

Gensburg, Calandriello & Kanter, P.C.
Sandra Mertens

is a partner in the law firm of Gensburg, Calandriello & Kanter, P.C., where she is known for her diverse skill set, practicing in the areas of federal and state tax controversy and consulting, offshore account disclosures, estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, general business law, and commercial litigation. Ms. Mertens has negotiated many tax resolutions with the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue, reducing her clients' overall tax liabilities and helping them lower their monthly payment. Since 2008, she has served as a monthly contributor to Debits and Credits, a newsletter published by the Independent Accountants Association of Illinois. Ms. Mertens is also a member of the CBA's State and Local Tax Committee, and has lectured and prepared seminar materials for accountant and attorney education on a variety of topics, including offers in compromise, trust fund recovery penalties, IRS voluntary classification settlement program for workers, foreign reporting requirements, and the IRS' offshore voluntary disclosure program and compliance procedures. In addition, she assists large and small businesses with all stages of their business, from formation of an entity to contracts to employee issues, and dissolution. Ms. Mertens earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, from Trinity International University; and her J.D. degree, with honors, from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. She is admitted to the Illinois State Bar Association, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, United States Bankruptcy Court and United States Tax Court. Ms. Mertens has also been admitted pro hac vice in the District Court for the District of Columbia and New York State Court.

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Speaker bio
Chris Hopkins

Chris Hopkins

Perkins Coie
Chris Hopkins

is an associate with the Chicago office of Perkins Coie. He advises individuals, families, business owners and financial institutions in navigating complex transfers of wealth, businesses and real property. Mr. Hopkins also assists in the development and execution of estate plans, including evaluating assets, assessing goals, and drafting wills, trusts and powers of attorney. He also provides advice on the application of Illinois law to various trust administration, modification, intestate succession and will constructions. Mr. Hopkins drafts pleadings and discovery requests, and has appeared in court on behalf of clients in the Probate Division and Chancery Division of Chicago area circuit courts pertaining to decedent, disabled and minors' estates. He also volunteers through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services by serving as guardian ad litem in minor and adult guardianship matters. Mr. Hopkins has also been listed as an Illinois Rising Star 2018-2023. He earned his J.D. degree from Wayne State University Law School.

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Speaker bio
Jennifer L Guimond-Quigley

Jennifer L. Guimond-Quigley

Law Office of Jennifer Guimond-Quigley
Jennifer Guimond-Quigley

is the owner and managing attorney at the Law Office of Jennifer Guimond-Quigley, where she focuses her practice on estate planning and family law. She has an extensive background in business and accounting, which has been invaluable in her legal practice. Ms. Guimond-Quigley spent years working as an accountant, and that experience has been imperative in counseling her clients about the financial and tax impact of their decisions and agreements. She earned her B.A. degree from Governors State University and her J.D. degree from the University of Illinois School of Law. Ms. Guimond-Quigley is admitted to practice law in Illinois.

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Speaker bio
Shayla L Maatuka

Shayla L. Maatuka

Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC
Shayla Maatuka

has transitioned her solo law practice in Urbana to become a partner at Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, where she currently serves as managing partner. With a robust background as an entrepreneur who has successfully launched four businesses, Ms. Maatuka combines her business and legal expertise. Her practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, and business litigation. Ms. Maatuka has previously held positions on the boards of the East Central Illinois Women Attorneys Association, the Executive Club of Champaign County, and the Champaign County Urban League. She earned her law degree from the University of Illinois and is admitted to practice law in Illinois and before the United States Northern and Central District of Illinois Court.

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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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