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

1. FOUNDATIONS OF ESTATE ADMINISTRATION DEFINED
   8:30 - 9:15, Written by Michael P. Morley.
   Presented by William M. Flevares in Youngstown, Michael P. Morley in Akron and Allison Mantz McMeechan in Cleveland.
   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
   9:15 - 10:30, Written by Timothy J. Gibbons.
   Presented by Tracie L. Schmidt in Youngstown, Diane Blocker Braun in Akron and Timothy J. Gibbons in Cleveland.
   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
   10:45 - 11:45, Written by Allison Mantz McMeechan.
   Presented by William M. Flevares in Youngstown, James J. Lanham in Akron and Allison Mantz McMeechan in Cleveland.
   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
   12:45 - 1:45, Written by David M. Lenz.
   Presented by Tracie L. Schmidt in Youngstown, Diane Blocker Braun in Akron and David M. Lenz in Cleveland.
   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
   1:45 - 2:45, Written by David M. Lenz.
   Presented by Douglas M. Toot in Youngstown, Mark C. Pirozzi in Akron and David M. Lenz in Cleveland.
   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
   3:00 - 4:00, Written by James J. Lanham.
   Presented by Douglas M. Toot in Youngstown, James J. Lanham in Akron and Neil H. Spike in Cleveland.
   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
   4:00 - 4:40, Written by Neil H. Spike.
   Presented by William M. Flevares in Youngstown, Michael P. Morley in Akron and Neil H. Spike in Cleveland.
   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?

WILLIAM M. FLEVARES is an attorney in the Warren law firm of Turner May & Shepherd. Mr. Flevares has been an attorney for more than 15 years and focuses his practice on probate and estate planning. He has previously lectured for National Business Institute on probate matters. Mr. Flevares is a member of the Mahoning County and Trumbull County bar associations, and has lectured on issues related to fiduciaries for those groups. He also is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association. Mr. Flevares earned his B.A. degree from the University of Chicago and his J.D. degree from the University of Southern California.

TRACIE L. SCHMIDT is an associate attorney with the law firm of Friedman & Rummell Co., L.P.A. in Youngstown, Ohio. Ms. Schmidt focuses her practice on probate, estate planning, business and employment law. She is a member of the Mahoning County Bar Association, where she serves as a member of its board of trustees, and also is a member of the Trumbull County and Ohio State bar associations. Ms. Schmidt earned her B.B.A. degree from Kent State University and her J.D. degree from the University of Toledo College of Law. She is a member of the Mahoning-Shenango Valley Estate Planning Council, where she serves on its board of trustees and is currently its vice president. Ms. Schmidt frequently speaks on probate and estate planning topics to various professional and civic groups.

DOUGLAS M. TOOT is a sole practitioner in Canfield, Ohio where he practices in the areas of estate planning, probate, elder law, business planning and taxation. He is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law. Mr. Toot earned his A.B. degree from Duke University and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Ohio State University College of Law. He has lectured for National Business Institute, Kent State University, The Youngstown State University Tax Institute and various other professional and civic groups on estate planning, probate, elder law and business planning. Mr. Toot is a member of the American, Ohio State and Mahoning County (chair, Taxation and Estate Planning Committee; member, Grievance Committee) bar associations, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Mahoning-Shenango Valley Estate Planning Council.

DIANNE BLOCKER BRAUN is a director with the law firm of Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A. Ms. Braun's practice is focused in the area of estate planning. She has an AV Rating in the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory, the highest such rating available to any individual lawyer, as designated by her colleagues. In addition, Ms. Braun was selected by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® and inclusion in Ohio Super Lawyers® for estate planning attorneys. She is a member of the Ohio State, Cleveland Metropolitan, and Stark County bar associations.  Ms. Braun is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit. She earned her B.A. degree, with honors, from Indiana University and her J.D. degree from Indiana University School of Law. 

JAMES J. LANHAM is an attorney in the Wooster law office of Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd. Mr. Lanham has been an attorney for more than 25 years, practicing primarily in the areas of estate planning, trust, probate, business planning and real estate. He was a charter member of Ohio's certified Specialists in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law and has written articles for the Probate Law Journal of Ohio. Mr. Lanham is a member of the Wayne County, Ohio State and American bar associations and is a representative for the Ohio State Bar Association's Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Council. He earned his B.A. degree from the College of Wooster and his J.D. degree from the University of Akron School of Law.

MICHAEL P. MORLEY is an attorney in the Akron law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond, LLC, where he practices in the areas of estate planning and estate administration. He has lectured to the Ohio State Bar Association and various local professional groups on estate planning issues. Mr. Morley earned his B.S.Ed. degree, cum laude, from Miami University, his J.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati and his LL.M. degree from Capital University. He is a member of the Akron and Ohio State (Probate, Trust and Estate Planning Section) bar associations and is the past president of the North Central Ohio Estate Planning Council. Mr. Morley also is a member of the Tax and Estate Planning Council of Akron.

MARK C. PIROZZI is an attorney in the Akron law firm of Mark Pirozzi~LLC. Mr. Pirozzi's practice is concentrated in the areas of estate and small business planning, probate and trust administration, and elder care. He has lectured before the Akron Bar Association on estate administration issues and before financial advisors on estate planning matters. Mr. Pirozzi is a member of the Ohio State and Akron bar associations. He earned his B.A. degree from Allegheny College and his J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

TIMOTHY J. GIBBONS is a sole practitioner in Strongsville. Mr. Gibbons has been an attorney for more than 21 years and focuses his practice on probate law, estate planning and trust law. He was a Probate Magistrate from 2000 to 2008 and is an Ohio State Bar Association Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. Mr. Gibbons is an adjunct professor at the University of Akron where he teaches classes on probate law, advanced probate and law office technology. He is a member of the Ohio State and Cleveland Metropolitan bar associations. Mr. Gibbons earned his B.A. degree from Cleveland State University and his J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

DAVID M. LENZ is an attorney in the Cleveland law firm of Schneider, Smeltz, Ranney & LaFond P.L.L., where he focuses his practice on the areas of estate and trust planning and administration. Mr. Lenz is a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and has lectured at its Estate Planning Institute. He also is a member of the Ohio State (Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate Section) and American (Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section) bar associations. Mr. Lenz earned his B.A. and B.S. degrees from Ohio State University and his J.D. degree from Ohio State University - Michael E. Moritz College of Law.

ALLISON MANTZ MCMEECHAN is an attorney with the law firm of Schraff & King Co., LPA. Ms. McMeechan's practice is concentrated in the areas of estate planning and administration, elder law, guardianships, and probate matters. She is a former trustee of the Cuyahoga County Bar Association, and a member of the Ohio State (Probate and Trust Law Committee) and Cleveland Metropolitan (Young Lawyers Section Executive Council) bar associations , the Lake County Council on Aging Foundation Board of Trustees, Lake County Bar Association Probate Committee, Association of Specialists on Aging, Consortium Against Adult Abuse Executive Board and the Justinian Forum. Ms. McMeechan earned her B.A. degree from the University of Dayton and her J.D. degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. 

NEIL H. SPIKE is an attorney with The Spike & Meckler Law Firm, LLP in Elyria. Mr. Spike has been an attorney for more than 13 years and focuses his practice on estate planning and administration, probate litigation, elder law, asset protection and general business law. He has lectured on various estate planning matters for National Business Institute, the Lorain County Bar Association and other professional groups. Mr. Spike is a member of The Florida Bar, the Ohio State, the Cleveland Metropolitan, Lorain County and American (Real Property, Probate and Trust Section) bar associations. He is licensed to practice in Ohio, Florida, the U.S. District Court (Northern District of Ohio), and the U.S. Tax Court. Mr. Spike earned his B.S. degree from Ohio State University, his M.A. degree from Cleveland State University, his J.D. degree from the University of Toledo and his LL.M. degree from the University of Miami.

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