Modern Estate Planning: Companion Animals, Conservation Easements
and More
Presented by the ISBA Trusts and Estates Section

Bloomington (Cancelled)
Friday, May 2, 2008

Lombard
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Carlisle
435 E. Butterfield Rd. (map and directions)
Register Now!

5.25 MCLE hours,
Including 0.75* hours PMCLE credit

Program Coordinator:
Michael C. Wiedel, Wiedel, Hudzik, Russ, & Phillipp, Downers Grove

This program will instruct the general practitioner on a variety of topics related to trust and estate planning.  It will include an in-depth analysis of the parts of a “simple” will, an explanation of partitions of co-owned property, a discussion of fee issues and a segment on including companion animals in an estate plan.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.  Estate Planning for Companion Animals
This session will address a variety of pet ownership issues including succession problems, enforcement of plans of ownership, pet trusts, and funeral arrangements.
Michael C. Wiedel

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Conservation Easements as Estate Planning Devices
The speaker will discuss the use of conservation easements as an estate planning device and other topics including conscience palliative, real property tax reduction, estate tax reduction, and income tax deduction.
George M. Covington, Esq., Law Office of George M. Covington LLC, Lake Forest

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.  Break

11:15 a.m. – Noon  Mediation of Estate Disputes*
The speaker will provide techniques for settling differences through a proven settlement strategy.  A discussion of the ethical considerations mediation and benefits to the parties will also be included.
Teresa F. Frisbie, Esq., DeGrand & Wolfe PC, Chicago

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.  Lunch (on your own)

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Anatomy of a Will
The speaker will dissect a “simple” will through line by line analysis.  She will explain why the language is used and outline the typical issues.
Janet Grove, Esq., Hefner, Eberspacher, Tapella, Armstrong & Grove, Mattoon

2:00 – 2:45 p.m.  It Never Ends
This session will explain the after effects of a poorly drafted will when there is a partition of co-owned property.  The speaker will advise participants on the solutions to problems arising from co-owned property.
Reynolds Everett Jr., Barash & Everett, LLC, Galva
Franklin M. Hartzel, Hartzell, Glidden, Tucker & Hartzell, Carthage

2:45 – 3:00 p.m.  Break

3:00 – 3:45 p.m.  Attorney Fees
This session will explain case law surrounding reasonable attorney fees including fees related to the personal representative, corporate and individual entities. Along with the case laws, the speakers will explain implications that might occur. The speaker will examine the myth of the published fee schedule, the legalities of the engagement letter between lawyer and client, and the identification of beneficiaries to the estate.
Justin Karabus, Esq.

*PMCLE credit subject to review