To ensure a successful outcome in settling an estate for your clients, you need to have a thorough understanding of the probate process. How does your knowledge stack up? Get the solid foundation you need to thrive in the probate arena with this complete guide. Examine the nuts and bolts of the probate process so you'll be better prepared to handle decedents' estates. Order today!

1. Important Early Decisions
2. Simple Possession
3. Issues With Administration
4. Tax Issues
5. Ethics in Probate Practice
6. Death and Disharmony (Conflict and Litigation in Successions)

1. IMPORTANT EARLY DECISIONS
   8:30 – 09:45, Todd E. Gaudin
   1. Information to Obtain at Initial Interview
   2. Is Estate Insolvent and What to Do If It Is?
   3. Did the Decedent Die Testate?
   4. Considering Administration? What to Consider
   5. Nominating Succession Representative
2. SIMPLE POSSESSION
   10:00 - 11:00, Todd E. Gaudin
   1. Duty Courts and Process to Follow
   2. Important Considerations for Simple Possession
   3. Important Elements to Include in Petition and Judgment
   4. What to Do After Judgment is Signed
3. ISSUES WITH ADMINISTRATION
   11:00 - 12:15, Carl S. Goode
   1. Formal or Independent Administration?
   2. Duties and Obligations of Succession Representative
   3. Paying Debts, Resolving Disputes With Creditors
   4. Transferring Assets
      1. Life Insurance
      2. IRAs
      3. Pensions & ERISA
      4. AFLAC Policies
      5. Separate Property vs. Community Property
      6. Allowances, Family Maintenance, Marital Portion
   5. Selling Assets - Important Tips and Procedures
   6. Insolvent Estates - What to Do
   7. Accountings
   8. What to Include in Judgments
4. TAX ISSUES
   1:15 - 2:15, Carl S. Goode
   1. Overview of Tax Compliance and Post-Mortem Planning
   2. Estate Tax and Fiduciary Income Tax Return
   3. Planning for an Estate Tax Audit
   4. Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes
   5. Reverse QTIP Elections
5. ETHICS IN PROBATE PRACTICE
   2:30 - 3:30, Todd E. Gaudin
   1. Performing Competent Legal Services
   2. Identifying the Client
   3. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   4. Distinguishing Privileged and Non-Privileged Communication
   5. Keeping the Client Informed
   6. Establishing Attorneys' Fees
6. DEATH AND DISHARMONY (CONFLICT AND LITIGATION IN SUCCESSIONS)
   3:30 - 4:40, M. Janice Villarrubia
   1. How to Predict Future Complications in Estates-Ethical and Family Considerations
   2. How to Make Estate Plans That Minimize Conflict and Costly Litigation - Avoid Co-Ownership and Joint Responsibilities
   3. Once There is Conflict, How to Use the Tools of Litigation to Bring About Resolution
   4. Creative and Humane Solutions to Conflict

TODD E. GAUDIN is a director in the Baton Rouge law firm of Kuehne, Foote, & Gaudin APLC. He has more than 15 years experience accepting contested and non-contested disputes and projects throughout the state, and limits his focus to successions and elder care issues, international and domestic adoption proceedings, and juvenile matters. Mr. Gaudin has experience in legislative lobbying and monitors bills that may affect adoptions, successions, and complex community property, the areas of focus for his law firm. He is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association (Sole Practice/Small Firm Practice Section and Property Section) and the Baton Rouge Bar Association  (Ask a Lawyer, Volunteer Panel, Contributing Writer for Around the Bar). Mr. Gaudin earned his B.G.S. degree from Louisiana State University and his J.D. degree  from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge. He also is active in many community efforts.

CARL S. GOODE is a member of Seale & Ross, P.L.C., where he practices in the areas of taxation, estate planning, elder law and special needs trusts. Mr. Goode is a board certified tax law and estate planning and administration specialist by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization. He earned his B.S. degree from Louisiana State University, his LL.M. degree from Washington University and his J.D. degree from Louisiana State University Law School. Mr. Goode is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association (member, Taxation Section, Immovable Property and Probate Section), the American Bar Association (member, Taxation Section), the Missouri Bar and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He has been selected as a 2010 and 2011 Louisiana Super Lawyer.

M. JANICE VILLARRUBIA is a sole practitioner and owner of the Law Office of M. Janice Villarrubia, LLC, in Baton Rouge. She focuses her practice in successions, estate planning, wills, living trusts, interdictions, and powers of attorney. Ms. Villarrubia received her B.A. degree in international affairs from Florida State University and her J.D. degree from Southern University Law Center. She participates yearly in the professionalism seminars for incoming law students at Loyola and Tulane University law schools in New Orleans. She is a member of the Louisiana State and Baton Rouge bar associations.

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