Are you prepared for the challenges each new client will bring into your estate planning practice? From the initial interview through the final draft of the plan, you'll need all the skills you can get to ensure the clients' financial interests are protected and their legacy passed on to the intended beneficiaries. Our detailed instruction will walk you through the process and help you avoid the hidden traps along the way. Build a solid foundation for your estate planning practice - order today!

1. Working With the Clients
2. Wills and Trusts
3. Basic Taxes You Need to Be Aware Of
4. Considerations in Planning for Incapacity
5. Charitable Planning
6. Ethical Issues in Estate Planning

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. WORKING WITH THE CLIENTS
   9:00 - 9:45, William H. Scharf
   1. Gathering Information at Initial Interview
   2. Sending Client a Draft
   3. Execution of Instruments
      1. Executor as Witness
      2. Interested Witnesses
      3. Place of Execution
2. WILLS AND TRUSTS
   9:45 - 10:45, William H. Scharf
   1. Drafting Wills and Codicils
      1. Why Testacy is Preferable
      2. Class Gifts in the Residue
      3. How to Handle Disinheritance/Illegitimate Offspring in the Will
      4. Attestation and Affidavit
      5. Directions in Wills Regarding Funeral Arrangements, Anatomical Gifts, Etc.
   2. Living Trusts as Will Substitutes
      1. Advantages Over Wills
      2. Role of the Pour-Over Will
      3. Funding the Living Trust
      4. Rules of Construction
3. BASIC TAXES YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF
   11:00 - 12:30, James E. WhiteJr.
   1. Estate and Gift Taxes
   2. Marital Deduction Planning
   3. Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes
4. CONSIDERATIONS IN PLANNING FOR INCAPACITY
   1:30 - 2:30, Andrew L. Ellis
   1. Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney
   2. Living Wills and Health Care Instructions
   3. Asset Protection Trusts
   4. Advising the Dying Client
5. CHARITABLE PLANNING
   2:45 - 3:30, Christopher J. Winton
   1. Overview of the Wealth Transfer Charitable Tax Deduction
   2. Considerations in Assets to Donate
   3. Charitable Lead Trusts
   4. Charitable Remainder Trusts
6. ETHICAL ISSUES IN ESTATE PLANNING
   3:30 - 4:30, Christopher J. Winton
   1. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest – Determining the Client
   2. Competency of the Client – When Diminished Capacity Becomes Apparent
   3. Maintaining the Relationship – Adequate Communication
   4. Confidentiality – What Should or Shouldn't Be Disclosed

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.

WILLIAM H. SCHARF is the founding member of William H. Scharf, P.L.L.C. Mr. Scharf is a Charleston attorney practicing in the areas of tax and estate planning. He has frequently lectured for the West Virginia Continuing Legal Education Program and The West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Mr. Scharf has written several articles relating to taxation, including "Buy-Sell Agreements Can Endanger a Corporation's NOL Carryovers," 18 Estate Planning Magazine 22, and has contributed to the West Virginia Practice Handbook chapter on "Administration of Decedents' Estates" (1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003). He is past-president of the Charleston Estate Planning Council and a member of the West Virginia State Bar (member, Probate Committee) and the American Bar Association (member, Taxation Section). Mr. Scharf earned his A.B. degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University and his J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

JAMES E. WHITE JR. is an attorney in the Charleston office of the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, where his areas of practice include probate, taxation, trusts and estates, and corporate law. Mr. White is a frequent speaker on estate planning and estate administration matters for various civic and volunteer groups in his community. He is a member of the West Virginia State Bar, American Bar Association (member, Real Property, Probate and Trusts Section), Charleston Estate Planning Council and the Charleston Area Tax Group. Mr. White earned his B.B.A. degree from Baylor University, his J.D. degree from West Virginia University Law School and his LL.M. degree from New York University School of Law.

CHRISTOPHER J. WINTON is the managing member of the Charleston law firm of Ray, Winton & Kelley, PLLC, where he practices in the areas of estate planning and administration, business planning, taxation and civil litigation. He is a frequent lecturer to professional and business groups on wills and trusts, ethics, litigation and insurance, and co-wrote "Laying Claim: A Practitioner's Guide to Will Contests in West Virginia," published in 96 West Virginia University Law Review 123 (1993). Mr. Winton is a member of the West Virginia State Bar (Probate Committee), Charleston Estate Planning Council and the American Bar Association (member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law sections). He earned his B.A. degree, with high distinction, and his J.D. degree from the University of Virginia.

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