So your client wants you to handle a probate case – do you know where to start? Do you know the proper procedures to use, as well as the law? Get detailed, step-by-step information to confidently and ably navigate the system, and gain the confidence you need to reach a favorable outcome for your client when litigating in probate court. Order today!

1. Taking the First Step: Filing an Estate in Probate Court
2. Understanding the Role of the Personal Representative in Probate
3. Managing the Inventory
4. Administering the Estate Effectively
5. Maintaining an Ethical Balance in Probate Practice
6. Spouse's Elective Share and Community Property Considerations
7. Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply
8. Litigating the Case in Probate Court
9. Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. TAKING THE FIRST STEP: FILING AN ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   8:30 - 9:15, Mark F. Ornellas
   1. Small Estate - What it is and How to File
   2. Regular Estate
   3. The Estate Timetable - What You Need to Do
   4. Proving the Will
   5. Challenging the Will
2. UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN PROBATE
   9:15 - 10:00, G. Archer Bakerink
   1. Duties of the Personal Representative
   2. Misconduct and/or Removal
   3. Compensation Guidelines
   4. Special Administration Issues
3. MANAGING THE INVENTORY
   10:15 - 11:00, G. Archer Bakerink
   1. Statutory Requirements and How They Affect Your Case
   2. Notice to Creditors, Beneficiaries and State Agencies - What is Required
   3. Collecting, Maintaining and Managing Assets
   4. Inventory Problems
4. ADMINISTERING THE ESTATE EFFECTIVELY
   11:00 - 11:50, Juliette T. Robertson
   1. How to Respond to Creditors' Claims
   2. Insolvency
   3. Managing the Estate Cash Responsibly
   4. Disclaimers
   5. Partial Distributions
5. MAINTAINING AN ETHICAL BALANCE IN PROBATE PRACTICE
   12:50 - 1:50, Mark F. Ornellas
   1. Performing Competent Legal Services
   2. Identifying the Client
   3. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   4. Distinguishing Between Privileged and Non-Privileged Communication
   5. Establishing Reasonable Attorneys’ Fees
6. SPOUSE'S ELECTIVE SHARE AND COMMUNITY PROPERTY CONSIDERATIONS
   1:50 - 2:25, Sabrina Schneweis-Coe
   1. Homestead Allowance
   2. How to Determine the Elective Share Estate
   3. What are Spousal Rights and Personalty?
   4. Rights of Election
   5. Step-by-Step Procedure
   6. How to Satisfy the Elective Share
7. UNCOVERING THE LAWS OF INTESTACY AND HOW THEY MAY APPLY
   2:40 - 3:10, Sabrina Schneweis-Coe
8. LITIGATING THE CASE IN PROBATE COURT
   3:10 - 3:50, Steven A. Malcoun
   1. Explanation of Rules of Probate Procedure
   2. Declaratory Judgment
   3. How to Conduct Discovery
   4. What to Do on Appeal
9. PUTTING THE CASE TO REST: CLOSING THE ESTATE
   3:50 - 4:40, Sabrina Schneweis-Coe
   1. Final Accounting
   2. Distribution of Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of Fiduciary
   4. Tax Returns - What Needs to be Filed and When

G. ARCHER BAKERINK is a full time professor of law at Humphreys College Laurence Drivon School of Law, where he teaches courses on wills and trusts, business associations, and community property. He also serves as director of the Humphreys College Court Externship Student Program. Mr. Bakerink has been an attorney for more than 35 years and has been certified by the State Bar of California as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law. He earned his J.D. degree from Humphreys College Laurence Drivon School of Law.

STEVEN A. MALCOUN is a shareholder in the Stockton law firm of Mayall, Hurley, Knutsen, Smith & Green, PC. Mr. Malcoun has been an attorney for more than 30 years and practices in the areas of business law; real estate law; taxation; estate planning and probate, including litigation in these areas. He is a member of the State Bar of California and the San Joaquin County Bar Association. Mr. Malcoun earned his B.S.C. degree from the University of Santa Clara; his J.D. degree from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific; and his LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Miami.

MARK F. ORNELLAS is a partner in the Stockton law firm of Haydel & Ornellas. Mr. Ornellas is certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization, as a specialist in probate, estate planning and trust law. He is a member of the San Joaquin County Bar Association's Probate Committee and is a past president of the Stockton Estate Planning Council. Mr. Ornellas earned his A.B degree from the University of California; his J.D. degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law; and his LL.M. degree in business and taxation from University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

JULIETTE T. ROBERTSON is an attorney with Drobny Law Offices, Inc. in Sacramento, California. Ms. Robertson focuses her practice on estate and special needs planning, and probate litigation.  She is a member of the Sacramento County Bar Association. Ms. Robertson earned her B.S. degree from the University of California, Los Angeles; her M.P.H. degree from Boston University; and her J.D. degree from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

SABRINA SCHNEWEIS-COE is counsel to the law firm of Downey Brand LLP. Ms. Schneweis-Coe is a certified specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by the State Bar of California. She provides comprehensive counsel in estate planning and special needs; and has assisted clients with simple trusts to multi-generational planning, including business succession and farm planning. She is also experienced in estate and trust administration; including probate, petitions to the court relating to trusts, and conservatorships. Ms. Schneweis-Coe has lectured to accountants, lawyers, financial planners, insurance professionals, charitable organizations, parent groups and the public. She earned her B.A. degree from California State University, Sacramento and her J.D. degree from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com