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. Litigating the Case in Probate Court
9. Putting the Case to Rest: Closing the Estate

Continuing Education Credits:   

Continuing Legal Education

Credit Hrs    State    Credit Approval Expiration

* denotes specialty credits

1. TAKING THE FIRST STEP: FILING AN ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   8:30 - 9:15, James R. Kalish
   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, James R. Kalish
   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, James R. Kalish
   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, Ellen M. Edmonds
   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, Lisa Montano
   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
   1:50 - 2:25, Tanja M. Cook
   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, Tanja M. Cook
8. LITIGATING THE CASE IN PROBATE COURT
   3:10 - 3:50, P.K. Johnson V
   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, Tanja M. Cook
   1. Final Accounting
   2. Distribution of Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of Fiduciary
   4. Tax Returns - What Needs to be Filed and When

TANJA M. COOK was a partner with the Theis Law Firm, P.C., in Granite City for ten years and is now practicing as an associate with Lueders, Robertson & Konzen, LLC. Ms. Cook practices in the areas of real estate, estate planning and probate. She has also been the assistant city attorney for Granite City, Illinois since 2005. Ms. Cook has previously served as an adjunct instructor at Southwestern Illinois College, where she taught legal document production to business and paralegal students. She is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and a past president of the Tri-City Bar Association. Ms. Cook earned her B.S. degree from Southern Illinois University and her J.D. degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law.

ELLEN M. EDMONDS is a sole practitioner in Edwardsville. Ms. Edmonds has been an attorney for over 20 years and focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, real estate and business law. She is a member of the Madison County and Illinois State bar associations. Ms. Edmonds earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of Illinois and her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law.

P.K. JOHNSON V is a partner in the Belleville law firm of Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Johnson has been an attorney for over 13 years and focuses his practice on probate, guardianships and estate planning. He is a former adjunct professor at Southwest Illinois College, where he taught legal research and writing in the paralegal program. Mr. Johnson is a member of the St. Clair County and Illinois State bar associations. He earned his B.S. degree from the University of Illinois and his J.D. degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.

JAMES R. KALISH is an attorney with the Belleville law firm of Jennings, Jacknewitz & Schrader, P.C., where his areas of practice include estate planning, income tax, trusts and estates. He has represented buyers and sellers in real estate transactions, small corporations and professional service corporations. Mr. Kalish earned his B.S. degree from the University of Illinois and his J.D. degree from St. Louis University School of Law. He is a past member of the American Bar Association and the Federal Taxation Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association.

LISA MONTANO is an attorney at the law firm of Waltrip & Schmidt, LLC, where her practice areas include trusts and estates, wills, probate, guardianship, conservatorship, real estate law, and commercial litigation. Ms. Montano is admitted to the bars of Missouri, Illinois and Ohio, and the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. She earned her B.A. degree from Hamline University and her J.D. degree from St. Louis University School of Law. Ms. Montano is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Illinois State Bar Association and The Missouri Bar.

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