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. Issues Related to Trust Administration
6. Understanding Tax Procedures to Avoid Problems Later
7. Ethical Challenges in Estate Administration
8. Common Issues to be Prepared for in Litigation and Probate

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. FOUNDATIONS OF ESTATE ADMINISTRATION DEFINED
   8:30 - 9:10, Bruce O. Bekkedahl
   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
   9:10 - 10:15, Gale R. Gustafson
   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
   10:30 - 11:15, Jennifer B. Lint
   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
   11:15 - 12:15, Gale R. Gustafson
   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. ISSUES RELATED TO TRUST ADMINISTRATION
   1:15 - 1:45, Bruce O. Bekkedahl
6. UNDERSTANDING TAX PROCEDURES TO AVOID PROBLEMS LATER
   1:45 - 3:00, Bruce O. Bekkedahl
   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
7. ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
   3:15 - 4:15, Jennifer B. Lint
   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
8. COMMON ISSUES TO BE PREPARED FOR IN LITIGATION AND PROBATE
   4:15 - 4:40, Gale R. Gustafson
   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?

BRUCE O. BEKKEDAHL is an attorney with the law firm of Patten, Peterman, Bekkedahl & Green, P.L.L.C., where he practices in the areas of estate planning, trusts, taxation, closely-held business and probate. He is a member of the State Bar of Montana, the American Bar Association, the State Bar Association of North Dakota and the State Bar of Arizona. Mr. Bekkedahl earned his J.D. degree from the University of Montana School of Law and his LL.M. degree from the University of Denver.

GALE R. GUSTAFSON is principal of Gustafson Law Offices in Conrad, Montana, where he maintains a general law practice and focuses his practice in estate planning and probate, business law, real estate transactions, plaintiff's litigation, and insurance bad faith. Mr. Gustafson has been the city attorney for Conrad, Montana for more than 29 years. He has also been an acting adjunct professor at the University of Great Falls, teaching several business and criminal law courses. He earned his B.A. degree in business administration from the University of Montana and his J.D. degree from the University of Montana School of Law. Mr. Gustafson is admitted in Montana, the Supreme Court of Montana, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. He is President of the 9th Judicial District Bar Association and is past Trustee for the State Bar of Montana.

JENNIFER B. LINT is owner of Boatwright Law Office, P.C. in Hamilton, where she focuses her practice on probate, guardianships, and conservatorships. She also handles real estate, personal injury, and business law issues. Prior to opening her own law office in 1999, Ms. Lint clerked for Judge Langton, the District Court Judge of the 21st Judicial District. Ms. Lint was previously an adjunct professor at the University of Montana College of Technology for business law courses. She earned her B.A. degree from Tufts University and her J.D. degree from the University of Montana School of Law. Ms. Lint was recently elected public administrator for Ravalli County. The position is mandated by statute to clean up the probates which have been languishing and deal with estates with no discernible heirs and no personal representatives.

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