Delaney B. Agnew
Hurley Burish, S.C.
Madison

Michael Bezoian
DeWitt LLP
Madison

Jessica E. Slavin
Pines Bach LLP
Madison

Thomas Vercauteren
Boardman & Clark LLP
Madison

8:30 am Deciding on the Procedure/The Initial Interview and Gathering of Information

• Client conference checklist
• Summary procedures
• Choosing formal or informal procedures
• Transferring net-probate assets

Thomas Vercauteren

9:30 am Initiation of the Estate

• Filing the petition/application
• Notice requirements – who needs to know
• Preparing a budget
• Marshaling assets and preparing an inventory

Jessica E. Slavin

10:10 am Break

10:25 am Claims Against the Estate

• Requirements for a claim/giving notice to known creditors
• Procedures for contest
• Priority in an insolvent estate
• Marital property issues

Delaney B. Agnew, Michael Bezoian

10:55 am Estate Tax Returns

• What assets to include and how to value them
• Allowable deductions
• Required attachments
• Filing thresholds

Delaney B. Agnew, Michael Bezoian

11:55 am Lunch (on your own)

1:00 pm Income Tax Considerations

• Decedent’s final return
• Fiduciary income tax returns
• Interplay with death tax

Thomas Vercauteren

2:00 pm Final Accounting, Distribution and Closing the Estate

• Final accounting valuations
• Alternate methods for closing an administration
• Timing of distributions
• Handling distributions to minors and trusts
• Filing the Statement to Close/Final judgment

Jessica E. Slavin

2:50 pm Program Concludes

• Build confidence in taking on probate matters as part of a broader practice
• Reduce avoidable errors that can delay administration, increase costs, or expose the estate to disputes
• Make cleaner procedural calls based on an estate’s facts, assets, and complexity level
• Draft and file probate documents with greater accuracy and less backtracking
• Spot tax and creditor issues early, before they become costly problems
• Improve client services by following a clear process from initial meeting through closing

• Lawyers looking to add probate to their practice
• Probate, estate planning, and trust lawyers seeking a refresher
• Young Lawyers Division members
• New lawyers

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.

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 CA3965 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.

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.