Agenda / Content Covered

1. HOW TO FILE AN ESTATE IN PROBATE COURT
   9:00 - 9:45, Pamela P. Little
   1. Forms of Administering an Estate; Distinctions Between the Modest and Larger Estate
   2. Probate Steps A-Z: An Overview
   3. Timetable; Calendaring Major Estate Administration Deadlines
   4. Forms to File - Review of Samples
   5. E-Filing Process
   6. Steps for Proving the Will
   7. Steps for Challenging the Will
   8. Understanding the Laws of Intestacy
   9. How to Avoid Probate
2. WORKING WITH EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS
   9:45 - 10:30, Nancy Tomasko
   1. Duties of Executors or Administrators During the Probate Process
   2. Paralegal Contact with Executors or Administrators
   3. How Misconduct and/or Removal of Executors or Administrators is Handled
   4. Compensation
   5. Special Administration
3. HOW TO PREPARE AND FILE THE INVENTORY
   10:45 - 11:30, Nancy Tomasko
   1. Preparing the Inventory - What Every Paralegal Needs to Know
   2. Statutory Requirements
   3. Notice
   4. Working with the Attorney to Collect, Maintain and Manage Assets
   5. How to Successfully Solve Common Inventory Problems
4. CREDITOR CLAIMS AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE
   11:30 - 12:15, Pamela P. Little
   1. Dealing with Creditors' Claims
   2. Disclaimers
   3. Assisting with the Estate Cash Management
   4. Insolvency
   5. Preparing Partial Distributions
5. PROBATE DISPUTES AND LITIGATION
   1:15 - 2:00, Andrea J. Schweitzer
   1. Elder Exploitation
   2. Will and Trust Contests
   3. Pretermitted Heir Claims
   4. Power of Attorney and Constructive Trust Claims
6. ETHICAL PERILS IN THE PROBATE PROCESS
   2:00 - 3:00, Emma Hilton
   1. Who is the Client?
   2. Conflicts of Interest
   3. Avoiding UPL in Probate
   4. Privileged vs. Non-Privileged Communications
   5. Protecting Your Firm from Malpractice Actions - Tools You Can Use to Meet Deadlines
   6. Ethical Issues in Estate Litigation
7. DEALING WITH SPOUSE'S ELECTIVE SHARES
   3:15 - 3:50, Lisa J. Bellanti
   1. Homestead Allowance
   2. Dower and Curtesy
   3. Spousal Rights and Personalty
   4. Rights of Election
   5. Procedures
8. FINAL ACCOUNTING AND CLOSING THE ESTATE
   3:50 - 4:30, Lisa J. Bellanti
   1. Final Accounting: Sample Walkthrough
   2. Common Mistakes on the Final Accounting
   3. Use of the Final Accounting in Tax Returns
   4. Preparing the Distribution of the Estate to Beneficiaries
   5. Discharge of the Fiduciary
   6. Extending, Closing, Re-Opening an Estate

Accreditation Details:

LISA J. BELLANTI is an attorney with Casassa Law Office, where she practices in the areas of estate planning, probate and probate litigation, trust administration, and real estate. Ms. Bellanti is a member of the Rockingham County Bar Association, the New Hampshire Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the New Hampshire Bar Association. She earned her B.A. degree at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and her J.D. degree from Boston University School of Law.

EMMA HILTON is an attorney with Londonderry Law, where she practices in the areas of tax law, estate planning, tax research, tax preparation, and business planning. Previously, Ms. Hilton was an attorney with Arthur Anderson, LLP in Boston, Massachusetts, where she worked in their private client service department. There she dealt with complex tax issues ranging from high-end charitable giving to corporate stock options. Her tax compliance at Arthur Anderson, LLP included high net-worth individuals to charitable remainder trusts and private foundations. Ms. Hilton received her LL.M. degree in taxation from New York University; her B.A. degree, cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell; and her J.D. degree from Boston College Law School. She is currently admitted in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

PAMELA P. LITTLE advises clients of all ages, from young families, middle aged folks, and elders to assist them with their estate planning goals and objectives. She works with families dealing with elderly issues, such as guardianship of incapacitated adults and the transition of elders needing additional care and support. Ms. Little has assisted hundreds of clients with setting up business entities, such as limited liability companies, corporations and non-profits. She is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association (Elder Law, Estate Planning and Probate Section; Corporation and Business Law Section; and Real Estate Section), a member of the Vermont Bar Association (Elder Law Section; Probate and Trust Law Section; and Real Estate Section), and a member of NAELA. Ms. Little is an adjunct professor for Franklin Pierce University and teaches in the M.B.A. program. She received her J.D. degree from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.

ANDREA J. SCHWEITZER is an attorney with McLane Middleton, where she assists clients in a variety of litigation matters. Her practice focuses on probate litigation, as well as education and environmental law. Ms. Schweitzer is a member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and the New Hampshire Women's Bar Association. She received her B.A. degree from Colby College; her MELP degree, summa cum laude, from Vermont Law School; her certificate of dispute resolution from Vermont Law School; and her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Vermont Law School.

NANCY TOMASKO is a senior paralegal with the Law Offices of Pamela P. Little, PLLC. Ms. Tomasko received her B.S. degree from Keene State College. She is a member of the Paralegal Association of New Hampshire. Ms. Tomasko has been admitted to Vermont Law School to pursue her J.D. degree.