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. Determining if Spouse's Elective Share is a Reasonable Option
7. Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply
8. Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate

1. TAKING THE FIRST STEP: FILING AN ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   8:30 - 9:30, Written by Rod Powell.
   Presented by Rod Powell in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
   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 REPRESENTATIVEIN PROBATE
   9:30 - 10:15, Written by Rod Powell.
   Presented by Rod Powell in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
   1. Duties of the Personal Representative
   2. Misconduct and/or Removal
   3. Compensation Guidelines
   4. Special Administration Issues
3. MANAGING THE INVENTORY
   10:30 - 11:15, Written by William R. Stiles.
   Presented by William R. Stiles in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
   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 ESTATEEFFECTIVELY
   11:15 - 12:00, Written by William R. Stiles.
   Presented by William R. Stiles in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
   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
   1:00 - 2:00, Written by Mark R. Gray.
   Presented by Mark R. Gray in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
   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. DETERMINING IF SPOUSE'S ELECTIVE SHARE IS A REASONABLE OPTION
   2:00 - 3:00, Written by Mark R. Gray.
   Presented by Mark R. Gray in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
   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
   3:15 - 4:00, Written by Mark R. Gray.
   Presented by Mark R. Gray in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
8. PUTTING THE CASE TO REST: CLOSING THE ESTATE
   4:00 - 4:40, Written by William R. Stiles.
   Presented by William R. Stiles in Des Moines, and John M. Carroll, John R. Newman and Marie R. Rolling-Tarbox in Davenport.
   1. Final Accounting
   2. Distribution of Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of Fiduciary
   4. Tax Returns - What Needs to be Filed and When

MARK R. GRAY is a member of the law firm of Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C., where he represents individuals and small businesses in probate and estate planning, small business representation and real estate. Mr. Gray is the firm's chairman of the tax, estate and probate practice group. He lectures extensively for National Business Institute and the Iowa State Bar Association continuing legal education seminars in his areas of practice. Mr. Gray is a member of the Iowa State (former chairman, council member and editor, General Practice Section Newsletter) and American bar associations. He earned his B.S. degree from Northeast Missouri State University and his J.D. degree from The John Marshall Law School.

ROD POWELL is the principal of The Powell Law Firm, P.C., in Norwalk. His areas of practice include real estate, land use and zoning law, commercial law, real estate litigation, civil litigation and appellate litigation. Mr. Powell has spoken on land use law to business and professional groups. He earned his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Iowa. Mr. Powell's professional memberships include the Iowa State and American bar associations, and The Missouri Bar. He also is past chairman of the Warren County Planning and Zoning Commission.

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. Mr. Stiles has lectured to various professionals on real estate and probate issues. He is a member of the Polk County, Iowa State and American bar associations, where he has served on numerous real estate law-related committees. Mr. Stiles earned his B.A. degree and his J.D. degree, with honors, from Drake University.

JOHN M. CARROLL is a sole practitioner in Davenport, Iowa. He currently practices in the areas of trust and estate planning, probate and real estate law. Mr. Carroll is a graduate of Marquette University with a bachelor'sdegree and Creighton University School of Law with a J.D. degree. He was a law clerk for the Honorable Frank Henderson, Supreme Court Justice of the State of South Dakota. Mr. Carroll is a member of the Scott County Bar Association.

JOHN R. NEWMAN is a senior partner with the law firm of Wehr, Berger, Lane & Stevens, in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Newman was admitted to practice law in the State of Iowa in 1982. His practice is devoted primarily to elder law issues, including wills, trust and related estate planning matters, tax planning, Title XIX planning, and post death administration of trusts and of decedent's estates in Iowa. Mr. Newman has lectured to numerous professional groups on various topics related to estate planning and probate. He earned his J.D. degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa.

MARIE R. ROLLING-TARBOX is a member of Gosma, Tarbox & Associates, P.L.C., where her main areas of practice are trusts and estates, wills, probate, guardianship and conservatorship, elder law, real estate, banks and banking, business law, and corporate law. Ms. Rolling-Tarbox is a member of the Scott County, Rock Island County, Iowa State, Illinois State and American bar associations. She earned her B.A degree from The University of Iowa and her J.D. degree, with distinction, from The University of Iowa.

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