Step-by-Step Estate Planning II 2026

  • Webcast seminar
  • OnDemand seminar
  • Course manual (PDF)
  • Course manual (PDF) and Audio (MP3)
  • MP3
  • Estate Planning and Probate Law
  • New Lawyer
Up to 6.5 Credit Hours
View schedule and faculty
Step-by-Step Estate Planning II 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

A clear path through complex plans

Estate planning clients rely on you to anticipate issues they may not see coming, from complex tax considerations to evolving family dynamics. Attorneys who want to deliver reliable, future-focused guidance need a firm grasp of advanced planning concepts.

Build on your foundation

Step-by-Step Estate Planning II is your opportunity to build on the foundational skills from Step-by-Step Estate Planning I. It’s also ideal for attorneys with some estate planning experience who’d like to learn more sophisticated concepts and skills.

8:30 am
: Drafting for Tax Issues

Bradley J. Kalscheur

  • Overview of federal and Wisconsin estate taxes
  • Marital deduction and portability
  • Unified credit
  • Formula clauses
  • Powers of appointment
  • Basis step-up issues
  • Drafting with flexibility for the changing federal exclusion amount
9:30 am
: Planning for Retirement Benefits and IRAs

Philip J. Miller

  • Rules when death occurs before required beginning date
  • Rules when death occurs after required beginning date
  • Spouse vs. non-spouse beneficiary
  • Trust as beneficiary
  • Planning for a “stretch payout”
10:15 am
: Break
10:30 am
: Gifting Techniques Using Trusts

Jamie B. Barwin

  • Objective of gifting in trust
  • Advantages and disadvantages of trusts vs. outright gifts
  • Planning for the annual exclusion
  • Insurance trusts
  • Grantor retained interest trusts
  • Spousal Limited Access Trusts (SLATS)
  • The growing importance of income tax planning for trusts
11:15 am
: Mine, Yours, and Ours: Planning for Second Marriages and Blended Families

Bradley J. Kalscheur

  • Planning with prenuptial and marital property agreements
  • Use of exemptions and exclusions
  • Trusts and other estate planning documents
  • Planning for unmarried persons and couples
  • Gifting strategies
12:00 pm
: Lunch
1:00 pm
: Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Planning

Philip J. Miller

  • Allocation of generation-skipping transfer tax exemption
  • Drafting ideas
  • Dynasty trusts
2:10 pm
: Break
2:25 pm
: Use of Family Limited Partnerships/LLCs

Jamie B. Barwin

  • General concepts
  • Discount planning
  • Control issues
  • Cash flow issues
  • Income tax issues
  • Use for Family Vacation Home
3:30 pm
: Program Concludes
Jamie B. Barwin
von Briesen & Roper S.C. · Milwaukee
Bradley J. Kalscheur
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP · Milwaukee
Philip J. Miller
Husch Blackwell LLP · Waukesha

Sponsored by

Interested in sponsoring this program? Find out more.

  • Draft with an eye toward both federal and Wisconsin estate tax requirements
  • Deepen your understanding of retirement benefits and IRA considerations
  • Apply advanced gifting approaches using trusts
  • Address planning challenges for blended families, second marriages, and unmarried partners
  • Gain clarity on generation-skipping transfer tax rules
  • Understand how family limited partnerships or LLCs can strengthen a plan
  • 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!

Wisconsin Probate System: Forms and Procedures Handbook
Save 15% on Wisconsin Probate System: Forms and Procedures Handbook.* Discover a straightforward approach to probate practice along with the forms, letters, checklists, and other tools you need to probate an estate successfully. Use discount code CA3923 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.