Bringing an estate smoothly through probate is one of the best ways to help families deal with the death of a loved one. Although some estates are contentious and nasty, most of them can be efficiently and effectively handled so families can tie up legal loose ends and gain a sense of closure. Do you know the proper procedural steps for getting an estate through probate? Your role is vital – and knowing what to do can be easy with our authoritative reference materials.

From the convenience of your desk, you can gain all the tips and pointers you need to help get an estate through probate in a smooth and timely fashion. You'll have - at your fingertips - useful techniques for filing an informal estate in probate court, building solid working relationships with executors or administrators, preparing and filing the inventory and helping to administer the estate. You'll also know how to determine immediate spousal support, deal with estates where there isn't a will, and properly close the estate. Enhance your effectiveness when encountering common probate challenges – order these materials today!

1. How to File an Informal Estate in Probate Court
2. Working With Executors and Administrators
3. How to Prepare and File the Inventory
4. Administration of the Estate
5. Ethical Perils in the Probate Process
6. Dealing With Spouse's Elective Shares
7. Understanding the Laws of Intestacy
8. Closing the Estate

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. HOW TO FILE AN INFORMAL ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   9:00 - 9:45, Charlene M. Tope
1. Distinctions Between Testate or Intestate Protocols
2. The Estate Timetable and What Needs to Be Done
2. WORKING WITH EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
   9:45 - 10:45, Charlene M. Tope
   1. Duties of Executors or Administrators During the Probate Process
   2. Paralegal Contact With Executors or Administrators
   3. Fiduciary Compensation
3. HOW TO PREPARE AND FILE THE INVENTORY
   11:00 - 11:45, Sandra F. Marshall
   1. Preparing the Inventory
   2. Statutory Requirements
   3. How to Successfully Solve Common Inventory Problems
4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE
   12:45 - 1:30, Sandra F. Marshall
   1. Dealing With Creditors' Claims
   2. Disclaimers
   3. Insolvency
   4. Preparing Partial Distributions
5. ETHICAL PERILS IN THE PROBATE PROCESS
   1:30 - 2:30, Howard H. Collens
   1. Distinguishing Between Privileged and Non-Privileged Communications
   2. When the Client Asks for Legal Advice - Knowing How to Say "No"
   3. Protecting Your Firm From Malpractice Actions - Tools You Can Use to Meet Deadlines
6. DEALING WITH SPOUSE'S ELECTIVE SHARES
   2:45 - 3:30, Howard H. Collens
   1. Homestead Allowance
   2. Dower and Curtesy
   3. Spousal Rights and Personalty
   4. Rights of Election
   5. Procedures
7. UNDERSTANDING THE LAWS OF INTESTACY
   3:30 - 3:50, Howard H. Collens
8. CLOSING THE ESTATE
   3:50 - 4:30, Sandra F. Marshall

HOWARD H. COLLENS is a member of the Huntington Woods law firm of Galloway and Collens, PLLC. He has been an attorney for more than 14 years and practices in the areas of estate planning, estate administration and elder law. Mr. Collens has lectured to paralegal and lay groups on estate planning and elder law matters. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (member, Probate and Estate Planning, Elder Law and Disability Rights sections) and the Wayne County Probate Bar Association. Mr. Collens earned his B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and his J.D. degree from the University of Detroit.

SANDRA F. MARSHALL is employed as a legal assistant/paralegal with the law firm of O'Reilly Rancilio P.C. in Sterling Heights. She began her career in the field of law as a legal secretary, specializing in the area of defense litigation. While filling in as a secretary with her current firm, an opening for a legal assistant/paralegal became available, and she was given the opportunity to broaden her skills and knowledge. Mrs. Marshall assists in the areas of estate and trust administration, as well as plaintiff and defense litigation. She has lectured at Macomb County Community College to students enrolled in the Legal Assistant program, as well as with The Legal Assistant Section of the Macomb County Bar Association. Mrs. Marshall is a member of the Macomb County Bar Association, and the Legal Assistant Section of the Macomb County Probate Bar Association. Currently she is chair of the Legal Assistant Section of the Macomb County Probate Bar Association.

CHARLENE M. TOPE is an independent contract paralegal and owner of Probate Support Specialists, LLC, in St. Clair Shores. She has been a probate paralegal for more than 17 years specializing in the areas of public administration, estate & Medicaid planning and trust administration. Ms. Tope has lectured on probate issues before the State Bar of Michigan, published in Lawyer's Weekly and regularly lectures to paralegals. She is very active in supporting many professional associations, including advisory boards for paralegal educational programs, helping to shape the professional model of the paralegal.

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

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