Probate is an intricate area of law requiring precision and great attention to detail. Do you have the skills to properly wrap up an estate and ensure the last bequests are interpreted correctly? This pragmatic briefing will walk you through the rules and provide practical advice for situations when the statutes or codes don't provide guidance. Review the timeline of the probate process and identify deadlines and key issues you must be aware of. Order today!

1. The Initial Filing
2. Who is the Personal Representative?
3. Proper and Prudent Treatment of Assets
4. Ethical Considerations
5. Tax Planning and Consequences of Probate
6. Closing the Estate and Other Issues

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

• THE INITIAL FILING
  9:00 - 10:00, Written by Kathryn J. Bell.
  Presented by Kathryn J. Bell in Billings, Bozeman and Havre and Jennifer B. Lint in Missoula.
  • When is Probate Necessary? Formal vs. Informal?
  • What Documents to Include?
  • Who Must and Should be Notified?
  • The Master Timeline - Don't Miss any Crucial Due Dates!
  • Intra-Office Communication - Setting up the File so That Your Staff can Properly Act on It
  • Dealing With Intestacy
• WHO IS THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE?
  10:15 - 11:00, Written by Jennifer B. Lint.
  Presented by Kathryn J. Bell in Billings, Bozeman and Havre and Jennifer B. Lint in Missoula.
  • Helping Clients Pick One
  • Educating the PR on his/her Duties
  • How Much is it in Your Interests and Within Ethical Bounds to Help the PR?
  • Representing PRs in Probate Disputes/Litigation
• PROPER AND PRUDENT TREATMENT OF ASSETS
  11:00 - 12:00, Written and presented by Jennifer B. Lint in Billings, Havre, Missoula and Bozeman.
  • Assess and Document Before or After the Initial Filing?
  • Tips for Effective Marshaling of Assets
  • Step-up Basis of Various Assets
  • Exempted Property
  • Requesting Decedent's Policy Information From the Insurance Companies and Insuring Remaining Property
  • Spousal Rights to Property
  • Treatment of Real Property in Probate - Tenants, Mortgages, Foreclosures, Sales, etc.
  • Business Transfers
  • Typical Creditors and How to Deal With Them
  • Procedures for Probating an Insolvent Estate
• ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
  1:00 - 2:00, Written and presented by Jennifer B. Lint in Billings, Havre, Missoula and Bozeman.
  • Who is the Client? Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
  • Tips on Dealing With the Grieving Family
  • Keeping Your Clients in the Know - Why it Pays off and How to do it Efficiently
  • Getting Paid: Billable/Non-Billable Hour and Retainer Agreements
  • Preventing Unauthorized Practice of Law by Legal Staff
• TAX PLANNING AND CONSEQUENCES OF PROBATE
  2:15 - 3:30, Written and presented by Bruce O. Bekkedahl in Billings, Havre, Missoula and Bozeman.
  • Crucial Due Dates Timeline
  • Obtaining Tax Identification Numbers
  • Matching Estate Inventory and Tax Return in Probate
  • Filing the Final Tax Return
  • Tax Issues Connected With Insolvency
  • Simple Tips for Minimizing Tax Burden
  • Tax Treatment of Trusts
• CLOSING THE ESTATE AND OTHER ISSUES
  3:30 - 4:30, Written and presented by Bruce O. Bekkedahl in Billings, Havre, Missoula and Bozeman.
  • The Impact of Medicaid and Other Government Programs on Probate
  • Preparing the Final Estate Accounting
  • Trust Administration and Termination in Probate

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.

KATHRYN J. BELL is an attorney in the Billings law firm of Moulton Bellingham PC. She focuses her practice in banking/corporate finance, commercial litigation, estate planning, health care, real estate/land use and tax. Ms. Bell earned her B.S. degree from the University of Montana, her J.D. degree from the University of Montana School of Law and her LL.M. degree from the New York University School of Law. She uses her tax and accounting experience in her law practice, specializing in estate matters and commercial transactions. Ms. Bell is a member of the Yellowstone County Bar Association and 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. She was previously an adjunct professor at the University of Montana College of Technology for business law courses. Ms. Lint earned her B.A. from Tufts University and her J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law. She 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.

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