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:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. TAKING THE FIRST STEP: FILING AN ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   8:30 - 9:00, Written by C. Shawn Fox.
   Presented by R. Terry Bennett in Bowling Green and C. Shawn Fox in Louisville.
   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
   9:00 - 9:45, Written by R. Terry Bennett.
   Presented by R. Terry Bennett in Bowling Green and Louisville.
   1. Duties of the Personal Representative
   2. Misconduct and/or Removal
   3. Compensation Guidelines
   4. Special Administration Issues
3. MANAGING THE INVENTORY
   9:45 - 10:25, Written by C. Shawn Fox.
   Presented by A. Franklin Berry Jr. in Bowling Green and R. Terry Bennett in Louisville.
   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
   10:40 - 11:25, Written by R. Terry Bennett.
   Presented by R. Terry Bennett in Bowling Green and Louisville.
   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
   11:25 - 12:25, Written by R. Terry Bennett.
   Presented by R. Terry Bennett in Bowling Green and Louisville.
   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
   1:25 - 2:10, Written by R. Terry Bennett.
   Presented by R. Terry Bennett in Bowling Green and Louisville.
   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
   2:10 - 2:35, Written by C. Shawn Fox.
   Presented by A. Franklin Berry Jr. in Bowling Green and C. Shawn Fox in Louisville
8. LITIGATING THE CASE IN PROBATE COURT
   2:50 - 3:40, Written by C. Shawn Fox.
   Presented by R. Terry Bennett in Bowling Green and C. Shawn Fox in Louisville.
   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
   3:40 - 4:40, Written by C. Shawn Fox.
   Presented by A. Franklin Berry Jr. in Bowling Green and C. Shawn Fox in Louisville.
   1. Final Accounting
   2. Distribution of Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of Fiduciary
   4. Portability
   5. Tax Returns - What Needs to be Filed and When

R. TERRY BENNETT is a partner in the Radcliff law firm of Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Pike, Attorneys at Law. Since 1970, he has focused his practice in the areas of probate law, estate planning, corporate law, personal injury and municipal law. Mr. Bennett served as attorney for the city of Radcliff. He has previously lectured to professionals on municipal corporations, probate law and estate planning. Mr. Bennett earned his A.B. degree from William and Mary College and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Wake Forest University. He is on the Wake Forest School of Law-Board of Visitors. Mr. Bennett is a past president and member of the Hardin Bar Association. He is a member of the Local Government Section, past member of the house of delegates of the Kentucky Bar Association, and a member of the North Carolina Bar Association. Mr. Bennett is a member of the Board of Directors of First Citizens Bank, Free Health Clinic of Hardin - LaRue County, North Central Education Foundation and the Hardin County Community Foundation. (Bowling Green and Louisville locations)

A. FRANKLIN BERRY JR. is an attorney in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he practices law in the areas of estate and wealth transfer, business and tax planning, and tax-exempt organizations. He earned his B.B.A. and LL.M. degrees from the University of Miami and his J.D. degree from the University of Kentucky. Mr. Berry is a speaker and author on a number of tax-related topics. In the Kentucky Bar Association, he has served as chairman of the Tax and Probate and Trust Law sections. Mr. Berry also has served as chair of the Agriculture Committee and assistant to Vice-Chair of Committee Operations of the Section of Taxation. He is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association, The Florida Bar, the State Bar of Georgia, and the Bar Association of the District of Columbia. Mr. Berry is a member and past president of the Southern Kentucky Estate Planning Council and has served as a director for the Kentuckiana Planned Giving Council. He is a fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the American College of Tax Counsel. (Bowling Green location)

C. SHAWN FOX is an attorney with the Louisville law firm of Seiller Waterman LLC. He represents individuals and family owned businesses, assisting them in areas of estate planning and administration, corporate and business law, civil and commercial litigation, intellectual property and intellectual property litigation. Mr. Fox frequently lectures to community and professional groups on estate administration and litigation, guardianships and estate planning. He is a member of the Probate and Trust Law Section of the Louisville and Kentucky bar associations and Louisville Estate Planning Council. Mr. Fox earned his B.A. degree from Bellarnime College and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law. (Louisville location)

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

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Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com