Bringing an estate smoothly through probate is one of the best ways to help families deal with the death of a loved one. Although some estates are contentious and nasty, most of them can be efficiently and effectively handled so families can tie up legal loose ends and gain a sense of closure. Do you know the proper procedural steps for getting an estate through probate? Your role is vital – and knowing what to do can be easy with our authoritative reference materials.

From the convenience of your desk, you can gain all the tips and pointers you need to help get an estate through probate in a smooth and timely fashion. You'll have - at your fingertips - useful techniques for filing an estate in probate court, building solid working relationships with executors or administrators and helping to administer the estate. You'll also know how to determine immediate spousal support, deal with estates where there isn't a will, and properly close the estate. Enhance your effectiveness when encountering common probate challenges – order these materials today!

1. How to File an Estate in Probate Court
2. Working With Executors and Administrators
3. How to Prepare and File the Inventory From a Probate Referee's Perspective
4. Administration of the Estate
5. Ethical Perils in the Probate Process
6. Dealing With Spouse's Elective Shares
7. Understanding the Laws of Intestacy
8. Closing the Estate

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. HOW TO FILE AN ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   9:00 - 9:45, Amy Harrington
   1. Distinctions Between the Modest and Larger Estate
   2. The Estate Timetable and What Needs to Be Done
   3. Steps for Proving the Will
   4. Steps for Challenging the Will
2. WORKING WITH EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
   9:45 - 10:45, Sheila K. Robello
   1. Duties of Executors or Administrators During the Probate Process
   2. Paralegal Contact With Executors or Administrators
   3. How Misconduct and/or Removal of Executors or Administrators is Handled
   4. Compensation
   5. Special Administration
   6. Duties of the Attorney for the Executor - Who is the Client?
3. HOW TO PREPARE AND FILE THE INVENTORY FROM A PROBATE REFEREE'S PERSPECTIVE
   11:00 - 12:15, Michael G. Kasolas
   1. Who Is, Why Use and What Does the Probate Referee Do
   2. Statutory Requirements
   3. Preparing the Inventory - What Every Paralegal Needs to Know
   4. How to Successfully Solve Common Inventory Problems
   5. Using the Probate Referee in Trust and Non-Probate Matters
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE
   1:15 - 1:45, Franza Giffen
   1. Dealing With Creditors' Claims
   2. Disclaimers
   3. Assisting With the Estate Cash Management
   4. Insolvency
   5. Preparing Partial Distributions
5. ETHICAL PERILS IN THE PROBATE PROCESS
   1:45 - 2:45, Amy Harrington
   1. Distinguishing Between Privileged and Non-Privileged Communications
   2. When the Client Asks for Legal Advice - Knowing How to Say "No"
   3. Protecting Your Firm From Malpractice Actions - Tools You Can Use to Meet Deadlines
6. DEALING WITH SPOUSE'S ELECTIVE SHARES
   3:00 - 3:30, Deborah L. Fox
   1. Homestead Allowance
   2. Spousal Rights and Personalty
   3. Rights of Election
   4. Procedures
7. UNDERSTANDING THE LAWS OF INTESTACY
   3:30 - 4:15, Sheila K. Robello
8. CLOSING THE ESTATE
   4:15 - 4:30, Franza Giffen
   1. Tips for Assisting With Final Accounting
   2. Preparing the Distribution of the Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of the Fiduciary

DEBORAH L. FOX is an associate of Solan & Park, LLP, where her practice areas include conservation law, probate and trust law, estate litigation, estate planning, surety defense and pet/animal trusts. She is a member of the Estate Planning, and Probate and Trust sections of the San Francisco Bar Association; on the Board of Directors of Legal Assistance to the Elderly; and certified with the State Bar of California. Ms. Fox has worked in the probate field since 1998, working as a geriatric case manager before obtaining her law degree. She earned her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she served on the University of San Francisco Law Review and the McAuliffe Honor Society.

FRANZA GIFFEN is an attorney with Giffen Fiduciary Services. After practicing law more than 25 years she has turned the focus of her practice to her passion, that of fiduciary services for others. Ms. Giffen is a trustee and conservator (private and court appointed), a California probate referee, and a licensed real estate broker. She earned her B.A. degree from Michigan State University and her J.D. degree from Golden State University. Ms. Giffen's accreditations include the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, California Probate Referee Association, California State Bar Association, and the Constra Costa County Bar Association.

AMY HARRINGTON is a probate attorney and her professional activities include: Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB) editor, California Conservatorship Guide; California probate referee, Sam Francisco County; Professional Fiduciaries Association (PFAC) speaker, presented a seminar on preparing inventories in conservatorhip matters; National Business Institute (NBI), prepare written materials and teach continuing education classes for attorneys on various probate topics; and Institute for Paralegal Education (IPE) lecturer, prepare written materials and teach continuing education classes for paralegals on various probate topics. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of California at Davis and her J.D. degree from the University of California,  Hastings College of the Law. Ms. Harrington is a member of the State Bar of California, the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the San Francisco Bar Association and the California Probate Referees Association.

MICHAEL G. KASOLAS is a certified public accountant in San Francisco, California, where he has served as a California probate referee since 1998; a court appointed referee for partition actions, civil litigation matters and receiverships since 2002; a U.S. bankruptcy trustee since 2009; and a California real estate broker since 1985. He also is the branch office owner and associate broker of Stevenson, Neal & Kasolas Realtors, serving San Francisco and San Mateo counties. Mr. Kasolas has been employed as a senior manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers, and as a chief financial officer, chief operating officer and treasurer for technology and financial services corporations. Mr. Kasolas earned his B.S. degree from San Jose State University.

SHEILA K. ROBELLO is a senior associate with Solan & Park, LLP. She has been with the firm since 2003 and is board certified in the areas of estate planning, trust and probate law. Ms. Robello is licensed to practice in California since 2000 and in Hawaii since 2001. She specializes in conservatorships, trust administration and litigation, estate planning, and surety defense. Ms. Robello earned her B.S. degree from the University of Hawaii, Manoa; her J.D. degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law; and her LL.M. degree from Golden Gate University. She is a member of Queen's Bench, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Trust & Estates section of the State Bar of California. Prior to her work at Solan & Park, LLP, Ms. Robello served as an associate policy director and legislative analyst for a national non profit organization.

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