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 - 9:30, Gregory J. Banchy
   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
   9:30 - 10:15, Brian D. Byrnes
   1. Duties of the Personal Representative
   2. Misconduct and/or Removal
   3. Compensation Guidelines
   4. Special Administration Issues
3. MANAGING THE INVENTORY
   10:30 - 11:15, Amanda L. Wieckowicz
   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, Peter E. Grosskopf
   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, Gregory J. Banchy, Brian D. Byrnes, Peter E. Grosskopf and Amanda L. Wieckowicz
   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
   2:00 - 2:45, Amanda L. Wieckowicz
   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 - 3:15, Gregory J. Banchy
8. LITIGATING THE CASE IN PROBATE COURT
   3:15 - 4:00, Peter E. Grosskopf
   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, Brian D. Byrnes
   1. Final Accounting
   2. Distribution of Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of Fiduciary
   4. Tax Returns - What Needs to be Filed and When

GREGORY J. BANCHY earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1981, with majors in Information Systems and Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He studied law and received his law degree, magna cum laude (class rank 6 of 149), from the Marquette University Law School in 1987. Mr. Banchy received a number of awards during his time at Marquette and was selected for membership in the Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society. Upon graduation from law school, he worked for the firm of Foley and Lardner in Milwaukee, as well as other smaller firms in the Milwaukee metro area. Mr. Banchy also has extensive IT experience, working for such companies as IBM, Harley-Davidson, and Allen-Bradley (now Rockwell Automation), primarily in LAN and WAN administration. He is currently a member of the Eau Claire County Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin. He is also admitted to practice before the federal courts in Wisconsin. His practice involves primarily estate planning, probate and business law, however, Mr. Banchy also handles some real estate matters in connection with his estate planning practice.

BRIAN D. BYRNES is the owner of Byrnes Law Office LLC in Amery, Wisconsin. He practices in the areas of business law, estate planning, probate law and real estate law. Mr. Byrnes received his B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Northern Illinois University. He is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

PETER E. GROSSKOPF is the owner of Grosskopf & Black, LLC in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mr. Grosskopf has more than 30 years of experience. He practices in the areas of elder law, bankruptcy, business law, estate planning and probate. Mr. Grosskopf received his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and his J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He is a member and past president of the Eau Claire County Bar Association, a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin (board member and past chair of the Elder Law Section), and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Grosskopf is also a board member and past chair of WisPACT, a nonprofit pooled and community trust for disabled individuals.

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