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

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1. FOUNDATIONS OF ESTATE ADMINISTRATION DEFINED
   8:30 - 9:30, Staci Norman Criswell and Andrew L. Ellis
   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
   9:30 - 10:30, Natalie E. Corrigan
   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 - 12:00, Anna R. Ziegler
   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
   1:00 - 2:15, Staci Norman Criswell and Andrew L. Ellis
   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
   2:30 - 3:40, Staci Norman Criswell and Andrew L. Ellis
   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
   3:40 - 4:40, Staci Norman Criswell and Andrew L. Ellis
   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

NATALIE E. CORRIGAN is an attorney in the Huntington office of the law firm of Campbell Woods PLLC. She practices in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration; commercial transactions; taxation; and real estate. Ms. Corrigan earned her bachelor's degree in accounting, magna cum laude, from Transylvania University and her J.D. degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. She was admitted to the Kentucky bar in 2003 and the West Virginia bar in 2010. Ms. Corrigan also has been a certified public accountant since 2008.

ANDREW L. ELLIS is an attorney with Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. Mr. Ellis is a member of the firm's corporate department. His practice focuses on estate administration, estate planning, business planning, taxation and general litigation. Mr. Ellis is a member of The West Virginia State Bar (Probate Committee) and the Charleston Estate Planning Council. He earned his B.A. degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College, his LL.M. degree from the University of Denver and his J.D. degree from the University of Denver College of Law.

STACI NORMAN CRISWELL is an attorney at the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, where her practice is concentrated in estate and tax planning. Ms. Criswell's practice focuses on large and complex estates and trusts. She was vice president and personal trust specialist with BB&T Wealth Management where she administered complex personal trust and fiduciary relationships, and advised clients and staff regarding fiduciary standards, principles, and applicable laws and regulations. Prior to her position with BB&T Wealth Management, Ms. Criswell was an associate with a local law firm where her practice focused on wills, trusts and estates. She earned her B.A. degree from West Virginia University and her J.D. degree from West Virginia University College of Law. Ms. Criswell is admitted to practice in West Virginia and Virginia. She is a member of the Charleston Estate Planning Council, The West Virginia State Bar Probate Committee, The West Virginia State Bar's State and Federal Taxation Committee, and the John A. Field, Jr. American Inn of Court.

ANNA R. ZIEGLER is an attorney in the Hinton, West Virginia, law firm of Ziegler & Ziegler, LC. She received her B.S. degree from Marietta College and her J.D. degree in 2005 from the University of Montana. Following law school, Ms. Ziegler moved back to southern West Virginia and began practicing law with her father. In January 2006, they became Ziegler & Ziegler, LC. The firm's primary practice areas are real estate, estate planning and probate, land use planning and local government law. Practicing in the county with one of the oldest populations in the state, and in a state with the oldest population in the country, Ms. Ziegler's practice is largely related to estate matters and elder law. In addition to her private practice, Ms. Ziegler is the assistant prosecuting attorney for Summers County.

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