The intergenerational transfer of wealth is controlled by both statutory and common law principles applicable to a particular jurisdiction. Competing views of the individual's freedom of disposition and state power both to channel and to tax property have led to an interesting and complex array of legal devices and institutions that govern the proper way to gift certain types of property, trusts and other instruments of ownership. From statutory intestacy and elective share provisions, wills, and trusts to planning for incapacity, future interests in property, powers of appointment, life insurance, and introductory aspects of trust and estate administration, this course examines the everyday use of laws that govern how these instruments can be passed on from generation to generation as intended by the original or subsequent owners.

This program explores the ins and outs of the legal and ethical requirements necessary to develop and administer an estate plan. Learners will be introduced to highly-specialized legal vocabulary pertaining to these particular legal fields, as well as relevant substantive and procedural law that govern wills, trusts and estates. For individuals looking toward law school or who are interested in the paralegal profession, this program offers an incredibly useful and realistic look into the actual work that lawyers and legal professionals do every day. As part of this program, learners will produce an estate planning and estate administration portfolio of relevant documents that thoroughly covers the wills, trusts, and estates legal specialty.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Examine the estate plan and the purpose and need for a will
• Analyze the concept of property related to wills, trusts, and estate administration
• Describe the law of succession: death testate or intestate
• Prepare wills: validity requirements, modification, revocation, and contests
• Determine the preparation to draft a will: checklists and the conference with the client
• Create a final draft and execution of a valid will
• Examine the participants and the proper court
• Understand personal representatives: types, pre-probate duties, and appointment
• Analyze probate and estate administration
• Describe informal probate administration
• Understand tax considerations in the administration of estates
• Examine classification of trusts, the living trust, and other special trusts
• Describe estate planning
• Analyze long-term care

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Wills, Trusts & Estates (L-WTE)

Optional Volunteer Externship Opportunity

Learners who complete this program are eligible to participate in an optional volunteer externship opportunity with a local company/agency/organization whose work aligns with this area of study in order to gain valuable hands-on experience.  As learners progress through their eLearning program, an Externship Coordinator will reach out to coordinate placement.

Note: Additional documentation including health records, immunizations, drug-screening, criminal background checks, etc. may be required by the externship facility.