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 - 9:20, Stephen G. Newman
   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
   9:20 - 10:10, Stephen G. Newman
   1. Duties of the Personal Representative
   2. Misconduct and/or Removal
   3. Compensation Guidelines
   4. Special Administration Issues
3. MANAGING THE INVENTORY
   10:25 - 11:15, Stephen G. Newman
   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
   11:15 - 12:00, Connie M. Sullivan
   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
   1:00 - 2:00, Mick Wilson
   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
   2:15 - 3:00, Connie M. Sullivan
   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
   3:00 - 3:25, Mick Wilson
8. LITIGATING THE CASE IN PROBATE COURT
   3:25 - 4:00, Mick Wilson
   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
   4:00 - 4:40, Connie M. Sullivan
   1. Final Accounting
   2. Distribution of Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of Fiduciary
   4. Tax Returns - What Needs to be Filed and When

STEPHEN G. NEWMAN is a founder and shareholder of the law firm of Newman, Comley & Ruth P.C., located in Jefferson City, Missouri. He represents individuals and couples in handling the preparation of wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, retirement plan beneficiary designations, business succession planning, trust settlement and probate administration. Mr. Newman is a member of the WealthCounsel, L.L.C., a nationwide organization consisting of approximately 2,000 lawyers dedicated to building and sustaining an estate planning practice. He is a member of The Missouri Bar (Probate and Trust Law Committee). Mr. Newman serves as a reviewer of the Bar's CLE Deskbook on Estate Administration, Fifth Edition. He earned his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from Missouri University and his J.D. degree from MU Law School. Mr. Newman has been engaged in the private practice of law in Jefferson City for more than 30 years.

CONNIE M. SULLIVAN is a partner in the Columbia law firm of Sullivan Morris, LLC, where her practice areas include family law and estate planning, personal injury, workers compensation, and criminal defense. She has ten years experience as a prosecutor in Boone and Monroe counties in addition to civil practice. Prior to graduating from the University of Missouri Law School, Ms. Sullivan worked in litigation support doing research and assisting attorneys in depositions, and owned her own company, Discovery, et al., in Texas before moving back to Missouri. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Mississippi and her J.D. degree from the University of Missouri. Ms. Sullivan was the Missouri Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators' "Prosecutor of the Year" in 2005, and received the "Pause for Applause" award by the Missouri Animal Control Association in 2004. She also is on the Central Missouri Humane Society Board of Directors and served as the group's president in 2005.

MICK WILSON maintains his own law office, where he has focuses his practice in estate planning and probate for more than 15 years. He earned his bachelor'sdegree from Columbia College and his J.D. degree from the University of Missouri School of Law. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Boone County Bar Association.

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