Course Description
This comprehensive Continuing Legal Education (CLE) course is designed to introduce new attorneys, as well as those looking to incorporate estate planning into their practice areas, to the foundational concepts and practical skills essential in the field of estate planning. Through an engaging blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning, participants will emerge with a robust understanding of how to effectively communicate the critical aspects of estate planning to their clients and how to build tailored estate plans that meet their clients’ needs.
The curriculum will navigate through the core principles of estate planning, discussing the structures of trusts, wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, and also touching upon estate taxation and Medicaid asset protection. This course aims not only to impart the fundamental legal knowledge necessary for estate planning but also to equip participants with the practical abilities to address and implement estate planning strategies confidently.
Principles
- Empower beginning attorneys or those seeking to expand their practice into estate planning with the knowledge and skills to offer competent estate planning services to their clients.
- For participants to develop an understanding of basic estate planning, namely the distribution of assets, estate tax basics, and Medicaid asset protection considerations, alongside a thorough examination of essential estate planning documents and other related documents.
- Review best practices for estate planning, focusing on client intake processes, eliciting estate planning discussions effectively, representing spouses, involving children in the planning process, utilizing drafting systems efficiently, and navigating pricing considerations.
- This course is an invaluable resource for legal professionals aiming to enhance their understanding and capabilities in estate planning, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the needs of their clients with confidence and expertise.
Syllabus
- Introduction:
- The Three Primary Areas Of Basic Estate Planning
- Who Gets My Stuff
- Estate Tax Planning Basics
- Credit Shelter Trust
- Life Insurance Trust
- Annual Exclusion Gifting
- Charitable Gifting
- Private Foundations
- Asset Protection/Medicaid Considerations
- Overview
- Eligibility
- Spend down
- LTC Insurance
- Estate Planning Documents
- Planning Components
- Contingent Supplemental Needs Trust
- Minor/Incompetent Trust
- Drug & Alcohol Provision
- IRA proceeds Provision
- Trust Protector
- Last Will
- Revocable Trusts
- Irrevocable Trusts
- Other Planning Options
- Life Estates in Real Property
- Transfer on Death Deeds
- The Tangent Estate Planning Documents
- Health Care Proxy
- Living Will
- POA
- Best Practices
- Client Intake
- Questions to elicit estate planning discussion
- Representing Spouses
- What if Children want to be involved
- Best Referral Partners
- Drafting systems
- Pricing considerations
