Drafting Wills and Probating Estates

Drafting wills and probating estates are essential estate planning functions most law offices provide for their clients. Mastering these skills will empower attorneys to assist their clients in safeguarding their assets and help loved ones when the time comes to probate their estates. Well-drafted wills make a significant difference in streamlining the probate process and offering the family peace of mind.

This program is designed for new lawyers desiring to develop critical estate planning skills and offers valuable insights for attorneys at any career stage. Attorneys will learn the key principles and legal requirements for drafting a solid, valid will so that they can guide clients as they make some of the most critical and challenging decisions they will ever make, and how to effectively probate the estate after a client dies.

This course is designed for attorneys at any level who are interested in the estate and will process.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the legal requirements of a will to ensure that the will is valid
• Examine the types of clauses a will might contain so that the appropriate provisions can be included during drafting
• Describe common pitfalls in drafting and executing a will to avoid them
• Discuss working with clients at all process stages to help them feel comfortable
• Determine the steps for effectively probating an estate
• Discuss the matter of inheritance for an estate when there is no will
• Review legal ethics, specifically concerning wills and estates