Step-by-Step Estate Planning I 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • OnDemand seminar
  • Attorney Regulation
  • Estate Planning and Probate Law
  • New Lawyer
Up to 7.5 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
Step-by-Step Estate Planning I 2026

Endorsed by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Wisconsin and the Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Wisconsin

Could you use a little willpower?

A misplaced clause in a will, an outdated power of attorney, or a misapplication of marital property rules can have significant downstream consequences for clients. Estate planning attorneys, especially those newer to the practice, need reliable methods for drafting key documents, understanding tax implications, and ensuring the plan works under Wisconsin law.

Make plans worth keeping

Step-by-Step Estate Planning I is designed to provide a structured and practical overview of the foundational components and decisions that shape effective estate plans.

8:30 am
Drafting a Basic Will

Peter J. Wyant

  • Initial client interview
  • Obtaining the information
  • Intestate rules
  • Elements of a good document
  • Pitfalls – the need for clarity
  • Coordinating with other documents
  • Execution
  • Updating the will
9:30 am
An Introduction to Tax Issues in Estate Planning

Jacqueline L. Messler

  • Overview of the Federal Estate Tax
  • Overview of the Federal Gift Tax
  • Working with the marital deduction and federal exemption
  • Reducing taxable estates through lifetime giving
  • Generation-skipping transfer tax and other issues
10:30 am
Break
10:45 am
General Uses of Trusts in Estate Planning

Amy J. Krier

  • Testamentary vs. living trusts
  • Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts
  • Common uses of trusts
  • Probate avoidance
  • Grantor vs. non-grantor trusts for income tax purposes
  • Special trusts
  • Trust modification/termination and use of nonjudicial settlement agreements
12:00 pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:00 pm
Additional Core Estate Planning Documents

Jacqueline L. Messler

  • Durable Powers of Attorney for Finances and Property
  • Powers of Attorney for Health Care
  • Authorizations for Disclosure of Health Information
  • Authorizations for Final Disposition
  • Directions for Non-Probate Transfers on Death
1:45 pm
Marital Property Agreements in Estate Planning

Amy J. Krier

  • Default property classification rules
  • Types of agreements
  • Uses of agreements
  • Traps for the unwary
  • Special considerations for life insurance and retirement plans
  • Planning for assets in common law jurisdictions
  • Alternatives to marital property agreements
2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm
Ethical Issues Faced by the Estate Planning Practitioner

Peter J. Wyant

  • Identifying your client
  • Joint representation of spouses
  • Conflict of interest
  • Clients with diminished capacity
  • Competence
  • Confidentiality
4:00 pm
Question & Answer
4:15 pm
Program Concludes
Amy J. Krier
Certus Legal Group, Ltd. · Milwaukee
Jacqueline L. Messler
Amundsen Davis LLC · Brookfield
Peter J. Wyant
Wyant Law Offices, S.C. · Racine

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Gain confidence applying foundational planning concepts in real client matters
  • Explore different types of trusts and how to use them in planning
  • Provide more informed guidance about planning options and tax implications
  • Receive an introduction to estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes
  • Understand how trusts and marital property agreements are used in estate planning
  • Be prepared to recognize frequently encountered ethical issues in estate planning
  • Expand or refine your estate planning offerings to meet client demand
  • New attorneys seeking to establish an area of practice
  • Established attorneys new to estate planning
  • Experienced estate planners seeking a refresher

YLD Discount!

Young Lawyers Division members receive a $20 discount on tuition.* Discount applied automatically upon log-in.

*Young Lawyers Division Members are State Bar member attorneys 36 years of age or younger, or within five years of admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin. If you’ve opted out of YLD, you will not receive this discount. The $20 discount only applies to in-person, live webcast, and webcast replay versions of this seminar – not CLE OnDemand.. YLD members with Ultimate Passes, other CLE passes, or PINNACLE discounts are not eligible for this discount.

Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Discount

Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section members receive a $25 discount on seminar tuition!** Section members must be logged in to view discounted tuition option.

**The $25 Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section member discount only applies to in-person, live webcast, and webcast replay versions of this seminar – not CLE OnDemand. RPPT members using Ultimate Passes, other CLE passes, or other discounts are not eligible for this offer. The RPPT Section may discontinue this discount at any time.

Book Bonus!

Eckhardt’s Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners
Seminar attendees save 15% on Eckhardt’s Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners.* This best-seller features decades of expertise from some of Wisconsin’s most respected estate planning attorneys.

Use discount code CA3922 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books Unbound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/27. For Books Unbound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books Unbound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

BYP

The Build Your Practice Series from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® introduces you to the fundamentals of various practice areas. Gain the tools and information you need to develop a new area of practice and expand your firm's offerings. Build Your Practice Series programs are endorsed by the State Bar's Young Lawyers Division.