Do you have a solid understanding of proper procedures surrounding estate administration? Do you feel confident that you can overcome the wide array of challenges you may face while working with each estate's unique requirements? Gain a comprehensive understanding of the estate planning process with this invaluable instruction so you can easily organize and manage your responsibilities. Order today!

1. Foundations of Estate Administration Defined
2. Preparing to Begin the Administration Process
3. Considerations for Collecting the Assets, Preparing the Inventory and Handling Claims Against the Estate
4. Being Thorough to Close the Estate Without a Hitch
5. Understanding Tax Procedures to Avoid Problems Later
6. Ethical Challenges in Estate Administration
7. Common Issues To Be Prepared for in Litigation and Probate

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. FOUNDATIONS OF ESTATE ADMINISTRATION DEFINED
   8:30 - 9:30, Daniel J. Bernier
   1. Identifying Probate and Non-Probate Assets
   2. Understanding the Various Forms of Administration
   3. Considerations for the Small Estate
   4. Knowing the Advantages and Disadvantages of Informal Administration and Complying With the Procedures
2. PREPARING TO BEGIN THE ADMINISTRATION PROCESS
   9:30 - 10:00, Daniel J. Bernier
   1. Understanding the Laws of Intestacy and How They Affect the Estate
   2. Knowing What to Get Out of the Client Interview
   3. Determining the Survivors' Immediate Needs
   4. Examining the Safe Deposit Box: Identifying Important Documents
   5. Locating the Will and Knowing What to Do Next
   6. Considerations in Appointing and Counseling the Personal Representative
   7. Practical Tips for Obtaining Information Concerning Assets
   8. Renunciations and Election of Statutory Share
   9. Using Disclaimers Correctly
   10. Notice Requirements
3. CONSIDERATIONS FOR COLLECTING THE ASSETS, PREPARING THE INVENTORY AND HANDLING CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE
   10:15 - 12:00, Marshall J. Tinkle
   1. Practical Procedures for Opening Estate Accounts
   2. Obtaining Tax Identification Number and Title to Assets
   3. Canceling Utilities and Credit Cards
   4. Best Strategies for Preparing the Inventory
   5. Medicare, Insurance Claims and Public Assistance: Understanding the Paperwork Involved
   6. Priority of Concern: Following the Chain of Command in Allowances, Claims and Taxes
4. BEING THOROUGH TO CLOSE THE ESTATE WITHOUT A HITCH
   1:00 - 2:15, Karen G. Kingsley
   1. Alternative Methods: Knowing Your Options
   2. Timing of Distributions: How Long Do Beneficiaries Have to Wait Until They Get Their Money?
   3. Steps Involved in Transferring Jointly-Held Assets
   4. Transferring Other Probate and Non-Probate Assets
   5. Considerations for Handling Distributions to Minors and Trusts
   6. Ensuring Thorough Accounting and Settlement of the Estate
   7. Compensation and Discharge of the Personal Representative
5. UNDERSTANDING TAX PROCEDURES TO AVOID PROBLEMS LATER
   2:15 - 3:00, Marshall J. Tinkle
   1. Overview of Tax Compliance and Post-Mortem Planning: What You Need to Know
   2. What You Need to Know to Prepare the Decedent's Final Income Tax Return
   3. Filing Requirements for Federal and State Estate Tax Returns
   4. How the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Affects Your Clients
   5. Handling Distribution to Minors and Trusts
   6. Accurate and Inclusive Valuation of Assets
   7. Determining Alternatives for the Surviving Spouse: Disclaimers, Rights and Options
6. ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
   3:15 - 4:15, Karen G. Kingsley
   1. Determining Who the Client Is
   2. Representing An Estate: Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   3. Informing the Client of the Status of the Estate
   4. Filing Claims: Why it is Imperative to Meet the Deadlines
7. COMMON ISSUES TO BE PREPARED FOR IN LITIGATION AND PROBATE
   4:15 - 4:40, Marshall J. Tinkle
   1. Title and Discovery of Assets
   2. Contested Claims and Contingent Liabilities
   3. Marital Agreement Concerns
   4. Contested Wills and Alternatives: Is it Valid to Disagree?

DANIEL J. BERNIER is an attorney with The Law Office of Daniel J. Bernier, LLC, in Waterville, Maine, where he practices in the areas of business law, estate planning, probate law and administrative law. He is a past adjunct professor at Thomas College, where he taught real estate and probate for the paralegal program. Mr. Bernier is a member of the American Bar Association, the Maine State Bar Association and the Maine State Board for Certification of Geologists and Soil Scientists. He is a former member of the Maine State Commission on Government Ethics and Election Practices. Mr. Bernier earned his B.A. degree from George Washington University and his J.D. degree from New England School of Law, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award in estate planning.

KAREN G. KINGSLEY is an attorney with the law firm of Troubh Heisler, P.A., in Portland. She focuses her practice in the area of ethics and professional responsibility, while maintaining a general practice in real estate, probate and family law. Over the years, she has given numerous CLE presentations to attorneys, paralegals and law office managers in the areas of ethics and professional responsibility, including the grievance process and fee arbitration matters. Prior to her present position, Ms. Kingsley served for 16 years as assistant bar counsel at the Board of Overseers of the Bar. She earned her B.A. degree from Middlebury College and her J.D. degree from the University of Maine School of Law. Ms. Kingsley is a member of the Maine State Bar Association ( Family Law and Women's Law sections).

MARSHALL J. TINKLE is an attorney at Hirshon Law Group, P.C., in Portland, where he practices in the areas of civil litigation, appellate practice, civil rights, employment law, probate, estate planning and admiralty. Mr. Tinkle has spoken to paralegals and legal assistants on legal research and analysis. He received his A.B. degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and his J.D. degree from Cornell University. Mr. Tinkle is a member of the Cumberland County, Maine State, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and American bar associations and the bars of the U.S. Supreme Court and the District of Columbia.

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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