To ensure a successful outcome in settling an estate for your clients, you need to have a thorough understanding of the probate process. How does your knowledge stack up? Get the solid foundation you need to thrive in the probate arena with this complete guide. Examine the nuts and bolts of the probate process so you'll be better prepared to handle decedents' estates. Order today!

1. Initiating the Probate Process
2. Spouse's Rights and Family Maintenance
3. Basic Tax Matters
4. Closing the Estate
5. Ethics in Probate Practice
6. Common Probate Problems and How to Solve Them

1. INITIATING THE PROBATE PROCESS
   8:30 - 9:45, Daniel K. Felker
   1. Interviewing and Determining the Personal Representative
   2. Evaluating the Estate to Minimize Costs and Expenses -- The High Cost of Dying
   3. Locating, Collecting and Taking Inventory of the Decedent's Assets -- Probate vs. Nonprobate
   4. Determining Which Types of Administration are Right for You -- Informal or Formal
   5. Elections and Filings
   6. Handling Claims Against the Estate
   7. Using Renunciation and Disclaimers as a Post-Mortem Planning Device
2. SPOUSE'S RIGHTS AND FAMILY MAINTENANCE
   10:00 - 11:00, Daniel K. Felker
   1. Determining the Existence or Nonexistence of a Will
   2. Duties of the Personal Representative
   3. Homestead and Exempt Property -- What is Legally Your Client's, Regardless of Value
   4. Effect of Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
   5. The Surviving Spouse's Elective Share
   6. What are the Family Allowances That can be Taken?
3. BASIC TAX MATTERS
   11:00 - 12:00, Daniel K. Felker
   1. Overview of Tax Compliance and Post-Mortem Planning
   2. Coordinating and Filing the Estate Tax and Fiduciary Income Tax Return
   3. Planning for an Estate Tax Audit
   4. Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes
   5. Disclaimers
   6. Reverse QTIP Elections
4. CLOSING THE ESTATE
   1:00 - 2:15, Joseph A. Vasquez
   1. Timing of Distributions
   2. Transfer of Probate and Nonprobate Assets
   3. Distributions to Minors and Trusts
   4. Preparing the Final Account
   5. Petition for Complete Settlement
   6. Obtaining Discharge of the Personal Representative
5. ETHICS IN PROBATE PRACTICE
   2:30 - 3:30, Joseph A. Vasquez
   1. Performing Competent Legal Services
   2. Identifying the Client
   3. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
   4. Distinguishing Privileged and Non-Privileged Communication
   5. Keeping the Client Informed
   6. Establishing Attorneys' Fees
6. COMMON PROBATE PROBLEMS AND HOW TO SOLVE THEM
   3:30 - 4:40, Joseph A. Vasquez
   1. What to do When the Decedent Has Property in More Than One State -- Multiple Domiciles
   2. Inter Vivos and Testamentary Trusts
   3. Intestate Administration
   4. Lost/Withheld Wills

DANIEL K. FELKER is a partner in the Columbia law firm of Hucks & Felker, L.L.C., where his main areas of practice include estate planning and probate, and workers' compensation. He is a frequent speaker on probate topics and an adjunct professor in the Midland's Technical College Paralegal/Legal Assistant Program, teaching courses in wills, trusts and probate, business law, workers' compensation, and real property. Mr. Felker earned his B.A. degree from Bob Jones University and his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina. He is a member of the Richland County Bar and the American Bar Association (Real Property, Probate and Trust sections).

JOSEPH A. VASQUEZ is a partner in the West Columbia firm of Setzler & Scott, P.A., where he practices in the areas of probate administration, domestic law and civil litigation. He has spoken for National Business Institute on probate matters and to various civic groups on areas related to his practice. Mr. Vasquez is a member of the Lexington County and American bar associations and the South Carolina Bar. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from The Citadel and his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina.

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