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, preparing and filing the inventory 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
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, Written by George F. Davison Jr. Presented by Christine F. Halbrook
   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 - 10:15, Written by George F. Davison Jr. Presented by Christine F. Halbrook
   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
   10:30 - 11:15, Written by William R. Stiles. Presented by Christine F. Halbrook
   1. Preparing the Inventory - What Every Paralegal Needs to Know
   2. Statutory Requirements
   3. Notice
   4. Working With the Attorney to Collect, Maintain and Manage Assets
   5. How to Successfully Solve Common Inventory Problems
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE
   11:15 - 12:00, Written by George F. Davison Jr. Presented by Christine F. Halbrook
   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
   1:00 - 2:00, Written and Presented by William R. Stiles
   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
   2:15 - 3:00, Written by George F. Davison Jr. Presented by William R. Stiles
   1. Homestead Allowance
   2. Dower and Curtesy
   3. Spousal Rights and Personalty
   4. Rights of Election
   5. Procedures
7. UNDERSTANDING THE LAWS OF INTESTACY
   3:00 - 3:45, Written by George F. Davison Jr. Presented by Christine F. Halbrook
8. CLOSING THE ESTATE
   3:45 - 4:30, Written and Presented by William R. Stiles
   1. Tips for Assisting With Final Accounting
   2. Preparing the Distribution of the Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of the Fiduciary

CHRISTINE F. HALBROOK is an associate attorney with Dickinson Mackaman Tyler & Hagen, P.C. Ms. Halbrook is an honors graduate of Drake University Law School, where she served on the Drake Law Review. Prior to attending law school, she earned her B.S. degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and spent three years in Chicago, working in private client services at Bank One (now J.P. Morgan) and as a litigation project assistant for the law firm of Winston & Strawn, LLP.

WILLIAM R. STILES is a shareholder in the Des Moines law firm of Smith, Schneider, Stiles & Serangeli, P.C., where the emphasis of his practice is real estate, and estate planning and probate. He has lectured to various professionals on real estate and probate issues. Mr. Stiles is a member of the Polk County, Iowa State and American bar associations, where he has served on numerous real estate law-related committees. He earned his B.A. degree and his J.D. degree, with honors, from Drake University.

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