Agenda / Content Covered

1. TAKING THE FIRST STEP: FILING AN ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   8:30 - 9:10, Written by Douglas A. Fendrick and Annemarie Schreiber. Presented by Michael K. Feinberg in Princeton, Annemarie Schreiber in Atlantic City, and Douglas A. Fendrick in Mount Laurel.
   1. Initial Considerations and Steps
   2. Roles and Responsibilities of the Executor
   3. Forms of Administering an Estate
   4. Reason to Challenge a Will in New Jersey
2. UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN PROBATE
   9:10 - 9:50, Written by Douglas A. Fendrick and Annemarie Schreiber. Presented by Sarah B. Haley in Princeton, Annemarie Schreiber in Atlantic City, and Douglas A. Fendrick in Mount Laurel.
   1. Powers and Duties of Executor
   2. Different Types of Accountings
   3. Compensation of Executor
   4. Attorney's Contact with Executor
3. MANAGING THE INVENTORY
   9:50 - 10:35, Written by Alan M. Floria. Presented by Sarah B. Haley in Princeton, Alan M. Floria in Atlantic City, and Eric A. Feldhake in Mount Laurel.
   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
   10:50 - 11:35, Written by Eric A. Feldhake. Presented by John L. Conroy Jr. in Princeton, Alan M. Floria in Atlantic City, and Eric A. Feldhake in Mount Laurel.
   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
   11:35 - 12:35, Written by Christine L. Matus. Presented by John L. Conroy Jr. in Princeton, Christine L. Matus in Atlantic City, and Jeff Vandrew Jr. in Mount Laurel.
   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
   1:35 - 2:20, Written by Pierson W. Backes and Christine L. Matus. Presented by Pierson W. Backes in Princeton, Christine L. Matus in Atlantic City, and Jeff Vandrew Jr. in Mount Laurel.
   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
   2:20 - 3;00, Written by Kenneth J. Lackey. Presented by Pierson W. Backes in Princeton and Kenneth J. Lackey in Atlantic City and Mount Laurel.
8. LITIGATING THE CASE IN PROBATE COURT
   3:15 - 4:00,Written and Presented by Jay B. Feldman in Princeton and Kenneth J. Lackey in Atlantic City and Mount Laurel.
   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, Written by Pierson W. Backes and Jeff Vandrew Jr. Presented by Pierson W. Backes in Princeton, James J. Curry Jr. in Atlantic City, and Jeff Vandrew Jr.in Mount Laurel.
   1. Final Accounting
   2. Distribution of Estate to Beneficiaries
   3. Discharge of Fiduciary
   4. Tax Returns - What Needs to be Filed and When

PIERSON W. BACKES is the managing member of Backes & Backes LLC, in Pennington, New Jersey. The law firm's practice is focused in estate planning, administration, and probate and estate litigation. Mr. Backes earned his B.A. degree, with honors, from Hamilton College; and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Temple University. He is admitted to the bar in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. (Princeton location)

JOHN L. CONROY JR. is a sole practitioner in the law firm of John L. Conroy Jr., Attorney at Law, in Cherry Hill. His primary areas of practice include estate planning, estate administration, probate litigation and elder law. Mr. Conroy is a frequent lecturer on matters related to estate planning, estate administration and elder law. He is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; and the New Jersey State (member, Elder Law Section), Camden County and American (member, Taxation, Real Property, Probate and Trust, Business Law and Law Practice Management sections) bar associations. Mr. Conroy earned his B.A. degree from Rutgers University; his J.D. degree, with honors, from Rutgers University Law School; and his LL.M. degree from Temple University. (Princeton location)

JAMES J. CURRY JR. is the principal of the Toms River law firm of Curry Law Firm. He is a certified civil trial attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey Board on Trial Attorney Certification. Mr. Curry also has certification in elder law by New York University's, School of Continuing and Professional Studies. His main areas of practice include medical malpractice litigation, general litigation, estate planning, probate litigation, civil practice, elder law, wills, probate, trusts and estates, asset protection, and guardianship. Mr. Curry is a member of the New Jersey State and American bar associations, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He earned his B.S. degree from St. Peter's College, his J.D. degree from Fordham University and his LL.M. degree from New York University. (Atlantic City location)

MICHAEL K. FEINBERG is a partner of the Woodbridge law firm of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP, where his practice is concentrated in the areas of tax and estate planning; elder law; estate administration, tax and business planning for individuals, corporations, partnerships and limited liability companies; and tax controversies. Mr. Feinberg is a frequent lecturer and has written numerous articles on tax, estate planning and elder law topics. He is admitted to practice law in both New Jersey and New York and is a member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Feinberg has been voted into The Best Lawyers in America and also has been named a Super Lawyer in the New Jersey estate planning and probate practice area. He is now co-chair of the Elder Law Section of the Middlesex County Bar. Mr. Feinberg earned his B.A. degree from Bucknell University; his J.D. degree, with honors, from George Washington University Law School; and his LL.M. degree from New York University School of Law. (Princeton location)

ERIC A. FELDHAKE is a shareholder with the law firm of Kulzer & DiPadova, P.C., where his areas of practice include estate and tax planning, administration, litigation, and real estate and business transactions. He is a member of the bars of the state of New Jersey and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mr. Feldhake is also a member of the American, New Jersey State and the Camden County bar associations. He is an adjunct instructor of law and entrepreneurial studies at Burlington County College and an instructor of taxation at the Judge Advocate General Corps' LL.M. Graduate Program, where he serves as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves. Mr. Feldhake earned his B.S. degree from Indiana University, his M.B.A. degree from the Temple University Fox School of Business, and his J.D. degree and LL.M. degree in taxation from Temple University School of Law. (Cherry Hill location)

JAY B. FELDMAN is a partner with the law firm of Leighton Feldman, LLC where he devotes his practice to the areas of probate litigation, business litigation, foreclosures, and bankruptcy. Mr. Feldman has represented clients in the federal district court, bankruptcy court, and state courts in New Jersey and New York at both the trial and appellate levels. He has experience representing individuals, trustees, executors, and administrators, as well as a wide variety of businesses. Mr. Feldman is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, as well as before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Burlington County Bar Foundation and Mercer County Bar Foundation. Mr. Feldman is a proud member of the Burlington County Bar Association and Mercer County Bar Association. He earned his B.A. degree, with high honors, from Rutgers University and his J.D. degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. (Princeton location)

DOUGLAS A. FENDRICK maintains his law office of Fendrick & Morgan, LLC, in Voorhees, New Jersey. His practice concentrates in the areas of estate planning, elder law and estate administration. Mr. Fendrick is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania; and before the U.S. Tax Court. He is a certified elder law attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation, an accredited estate planning specialist through the American Bar Association, and a certified public accountant. Mr. Fendrick is accredited by the Veterans Administration to counsel clients regarding veterans benefits. He was a former trial attorney with the Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Fendrick is a member of the Camden County and Burlington County bar associations, as well as the South Jersey Estate Planning Counsel. He earned his B.S. degree, cum laude, from Rider University; his J.D. degree from Rutgers University School of Law; and his LL.M degree from Temple University. (Cherry Hill location)

ALAN M. FLORIA is the owner of the Law Offices of Alan M. Floria and maintains offices in Brick and Verona, New Jersey. Mr. Floria has been in the private practice of Law for more than 30 years. His law practice concentration areas are estates and trusts/elder law specializing in the creation of estate documents such as wills, powers of attorney and simple to complex trust agreements. Along with his estates, trusts and elder law practice, he still practices in the fields of corporation, business and taxation law. Mr. Floria is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Florida and the United States District Court for District of New Jersey. He received his his B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Rutgers University and his J.D. degree, with a concentration in taxation, from Seton Hall Law School. Mr. Floria often lectures at many senior centers, business groups and other public forums and has been on a Financial Planning Radio show monthly for the past 11 years rendering legal advice to the listeners. (Atlantic City location)

SARAH B. HALEY is the founder and president of The Haley Law Group, L.L.C., where she provides wealth transfer, estate, tax and asset protection planning services to meet the complex planning needs of her clients. Ms. Haley's tax and estate planning expertise and background allow her to provide high net worth clients with expert advice and sophisticated planning strategies on every aspect of their planning needs. She served a two year appointment as attorney advisor to the Chief Special Trial Judge of the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C. In Ms. Haley's extensive career as a tax and estate attorney, she has concentrated her areas of expertise in complex estate planning, including asset protection strategies, international taxation, business succession planning, estate administration, tax transactional matters, and planning for special needs beneficiaries. She is admitted to the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania state bars, as well as being admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and United States Tax Court. Ms. Haley earned her B.A. degree from Rutgers University, her J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law, and her LL.M. degree in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. (Princeton location)

KENNETH J. LACKEY is an attorney with Neff Aguilar, LLC and practices in all areas pertaining to trusts and estates, including planning, administration, and litigation. He specializes in probate litigation such as disputes involving wills, fiduciaries, charitable transfers, and guardianships. Mr. Lackey has represented individuals, corporate fiduciaries, Fortune 500 companies, and charitable entities. The Super Lawyers publication chose him as a Rising Star in 2013 through 2016. Mr. Lackey is an active member of the American Bar Association and has been appointed vice-chair of the Probate & Fiduciary Litigation Committee of the Real Property Trust & Estate Section. He earned his J.D. from Rutgers University Law School-Camden, where he was a member of the Law Journal and graduated with high honors. In 2015, Mr. Lackey obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from the New York University School of Law. (Atlantic City and Cherry Hill locations)

CHRISTINE L. MATUS is the owner of The Matus Law Group. She has lectured to the public on various topics from estate planning to real estate, as well as to corporate organizations regarding non-profit rules and regulations. She is the current president of 21 Plus, Inc., and General Counsel to MOCEANS. Ms. Matus is a member of the New Jersey State Bar, Trustee of the Ocean County Bar and American (Advisory Panel) Bar associations; as well as the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey and the U.S. District Court of New Jersey. Ms. Matus earned her B.A. degree in Economics from Douglass College, Rutgers University and St. Anne's College, Oxford University; and her J.D. degree from Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. (Atlantic City location)

ANNEMARIE SCHREIBER is a partner with the firm of Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks, LLC in Toms River, New Jersey. She concentrates her practice in the areas of elder law and special needs, including trust and probate litigation, estate planning, guardianships, probate and trust administration. Ms. Schreiber regularly lectures to senior communities throughout Ocean County regarding trust and estate planning, Medicaid planning and elder abuse. She also is a frequent speaker at seminars sponsored by financial planners. Ms. Schreiber provided consultation and/or legal representation for a local school board on their special education matters. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a certified elder law attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. Ms. Schreiber is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She earned her B.S. degree from the University of Delaware and her J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law. (Atlantic City location)

JEFF VANDREW JR. is the founder of Vandrew LLC, a boutique firm with offices in Red Bank and Toms River which focuses on cryptocurrency, self-directed IRAs, and estate planning. He has earned the distinction of tri-licensure as an attorney, CPA, and CFP. Mr. Vandrew is board certified as an estate planning law specialist by the ABA-accredited Estate Law Specialist Board. He has been published in The New Jersey Law Journal and has taught cyrptocurrency taxation and estate planning to attorneys from around the country. Mr. Vandrew earned his B.A. degree, with honors, from Rutgers University and his J.D. degree from Rutgers Law School. (Cherry Hill location)