Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate

4.71

Probate and Estate Administration for Paralegals

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
California MCLE Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Delaware Certified Paralegal Program Approved 6 Total
Florida Registered Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Indiana Paralegal CLE Approved 6 Total
NALA Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals Approved 6 Total
North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education Approved 6 Total
New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of Approved 6 Total
Ohio Certified Paralegals Approved 6 Total
NFPA Approved 6 Total
Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division Approved 6 Total
Washington Paralegal Association Approved 6 Total
OnDemand
5 hours 50 minutes
Lia Smietanski
Beth Hampton
Louis Silverman
Evelina Ruszkowski
Barbara Lohr Van Sant
With Lia E. Smietanski from Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC + 4 others
Recorded March 26, 2026.
Product ID 101626

Buy This Course

Course Includes
$319

OnDemand Video

Course Book Download

OnDemand content will be available within 7 days of event date.

Overview

Confidently Assist in Probate and Estate Administration

Do you have the best system in place for setting up client files; managing probate deadlines and communications; and preparing estate inventories, final accountings, and tax returns? This practical course will give you tips for improving your processes and drafting skills. Register today!

  • Walk through the essential steps of probate and estate administration.
  • Get practical tips for creating the file and organizing the incoming and created documents.
  • Create better inventories with help from experienced faculty.
  • Review key tax timelines and forms.
  • Establish and maintain proper communication with clients, executors, and other parties.
  • Effectively handle final accounting and distributions.

Abbreviated Agenda

  1. Estate Administration Process Overview and First Steps
  2. Communicating With Executors, Clients, and Other Parties
  3. Management of the Estate
  4. Trusts Management and Taxation in Estate Administration
  5. Tax Forms, Timelines, Reporting in Estate Administration
  6. Setting Up the File
  7. Final Account, Distributions, and Estate Closing
  8. Inventory: Preparing Asset Lists and Analyzing Records
  9. Ethics in Probate

Related Topics

Product ID 101626

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
California MCLE Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Delaware Certified Paralegal Program Approved 6 Total
Florida Registered Paralegal Approved 6 Total
Indiana Paralegal CLE Approved 6 Total
NALA Approved 6 Total
Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals Approved 6 Total
North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education Approved 6 Total
New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of Approved 6 Total
Ohio Certified Paralegals Approved 6 Total
NFPA Approved 6 Total
Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division Approved 6 Total
Washington Paralegal Association Approved 6 Total

Credit Details by Jurisdiction

Paralegal Credits
California MCLE Paralegal Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - California MCLE Paralegal - 6: This program meets the California MCLE Paralegal requirement as specified in Business and Professions Code Section 6450(d).

Video Download - California MCLE Paralegal - 6: This program meets the California MCLE Paralegal requirement as specified in Business and Professions Code Section 6450(d).

Delaware Certified Paralegal Program Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - Delaware Certified Paralegal Program - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 DCP CLE credit hours, including 1.0 DCP ethics credit hour, toward the eligibility requirements of the DPA Delaware Certified Paralegal Program.

Video Download - Delaware Certified Paralegal Program - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 DCP CLE credit hours, including 1.0 DCP ethics credit hour, toward the eligibility requirements of the DPA Delaware Certified Paralegal Program.

Florida Registered Paralegal Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - Florida Registered Paralegal - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 hours of self-study continuing education for paralegals, including 1.0 hour of self-study ethics credit, toward the eligibility requirements of the Florida Registered Paralegal Program. This course has been approved by NALA and NFPA.

Video Download - Florida Registered Paralegal - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 hours of self-study continuing education for paralegals, including 1.0 hour of self-study ethics credit, toward the eligibility requirements of the Florida Registered Paralegal Program. This course has been approved by NALA and NFPA.

Indiana Paralegal CLE Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - Indiana Paralegal CLE - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 hours of distancing learning continuing education, including 1.0 hour of ethics and satisfies the CLE requirement for Indiana State Bar Association Paralegal Members and Indiana Registered Paralegals (IRP).

Video Download - Indiana Paralegal CLE - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 hours of distancing learning continuing education, including 1.0 hour of ethics and satisfies the CLE requirement for Indiana State Bar Association Paralegal Members and Indiana Registered Paralegals (IRP).

NALA Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - NALA - 6: This seminar meets the requirements of NALA The Paralegal Association Certifying Board for 6.0 hours, including 0.5 non-substantive and 1.0 ethics, of continuing legal education self-study credit required to maintain the CP(Certified Paralegal) credential.

Video Download - NALA - 6: This seminar meets the requirements of NALA The Paralegal Association Certifying Board for 6.0 hours, including 0.5 non-substantive and 1.0 ethics, of continuing legal education self-study credit required to maintain the CP(Certified Paralegal) credential.

Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals - 6: This course has been approved for 6.0 hours of self-study CLE credit, including 1.0 hour of ethics, by NALA The Paralegal Association Certifying Board. The Montana Association of Legal Assistants (MALA) and the Paralegal Section of the State Bar of Montana will honor this credit approval.

Video Download - Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals - 6: This course has been approved for 6.0 hours of self-study CLE credit, including 1.0 hour of ethics, by NALA The Paralegal Association Certifying Board. The Montana Association of Legal Assistants (MALA) and the Paralegal Section of the State Bar of Montana will honor this credit approval.

North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Professional Responsibility

Earn Until

OnDemand - North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education - 6: This program has been approved by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification for computer-based continuing paralegal education credit in the amount of 6.0 hours, of which 1.0 hour will also apply in the area of professional responsibility. This course is not sponsored by the Board of Paralegal Certification.

New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of - 6: Approved by the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of New Mexico for 5.0 general self-study credit and 1.0 ethics self-study credit (for a total of 6.0 hours CLE).

Video Download - New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of - 6: Approved by the Paralegal Division of the State Bar of New Mexico for 5.0 general self-study credit and 1.0 ethics self-study credit (for a total of 6.0 hours CLE).

Ohio Certified Paralegals Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - Ohio Certified Paralegals - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 hours of self-study continuing education for paralegals, including 1.0 hour of ethics, toward the eligibility requirements of the Ohio State Bar Association Paralegal Certification program.

Video Download - Ohio Certified Paralegals - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 hours of self-study continuing education for paralegals, including 1.0 hour of ethics, toward the eligibility requirements of the Ohio State Bar Association Paralegal Certification program.

NFPA Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - NFPA - 6: This seminar has been approved by The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) for 6.0 hours of Continuing Legal Education self-study credit, including 1.0 hour of ethics.

Video Download - NFPA - 6: This seminar has been approved by The National Federation of Paralegal Associations, Inc. (NFPA) for 6.0 hours of Continuing Legal Education self-study credit, including 1.0 hour of ethics.

Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division Approved · 6 Total Credits
  • 6 Estate Planning and Probate Law
  • 1 Ethics

Earn Until

OnDemand - Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 self-study CLE credit hours, including 1.0 ethics credit hour, toward the eligibility requirements of The Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas. This course has been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for certification and recertification continuing legal education for paralegals and legal assistants. Certification areas: Estate Planning and Probate Law

Video Download - Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division - 6: This course qualifies for 6.0 self-study CLE credit hours, including 1.0 ethics credit hour, toward the eligibility requirements of The Paralegal Division of the State Bar of Texas. This course has been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for certification and recertification continuing legal education for paralegals and legal assistants. Certification areas: Estate Planning and Probate Law

Washington Paralegal Association Approved · 6 Total Credits

Earn Until

OnDemand - Washington Paralegal Association - 6: Approved for 6.0 CLE self-study credits by the Washington State Paralegal Association (WSPA).

Video Download - Washington Paralegal Association - 6: Approved for 6.0 CLE self-study credits by the Washington State Paralegal Association (WSPA).
Select Jurisdiction
Paralegal

Agenda

All times are shown in

  1. Estate Administration Process Overview and First Steps

    1. Key Probate Process Steps in a Nutshell
    2. Forms of Administration (Supervised, Informal, Small Estate)
    3. Drafting Probate Pleadings for Attorney Review
    4. Documents to Include
    5. Required Notices
    6. Timeline for Proper Probate Filings
    7. Steps for Proving/Challenging the Will and Dealing With Intestacy
    8. Locating Beneficiaries

  2. Communicating With Executors, Clients, and Other Parties

    1. Duties of Executors/Administrators During the Probate Process
    2. Paralegal Contact With Executors or Administrators
    3. Trustee Communications
    4. Creditor Notices and Communication
    5. Client Communications and Follow-Up Meetings
    6. Communicating with Client Advisors and Accountants
    7. Contacting Banks, Brokerage Houses, Appraisers, and More
    8. Contacting Tax Authorities and Other Government Agencies

  3. Management of the Estate

    1. Assisting With Estate Cash Management
    2. Handling the Insolvent Estate
    3. Preparing Partial Distributions
    4. Maintaining Necessary Documents and Financial Records for Trusts and Estates

  4. Trusts Management and Taxation in Estate Administration

  5. Tax Forms, Timelines, Reporting in Estate Administration

    1. Obtaining Tax Identification Numbers
    2. Tax Basis of Assets
    3. Matching Estate Inventory and Tax Return
    4. Filing the Final Tax Returns

  6. Setting Up the File

    1. Creating and Maintaining Client Files
    2. Calendaring and Managing Deadlines
    3. Tracking Billable Time
    4. Scanning and Organizing Supporting Documents

  7. Final Account, Distributions, and Estate Closing

    1. Final Accounting and Distribution
      1. Principal vs. Income
      2. Receipts
      3. Capital Transactions
      4. Disbursements
      5. Distributions
      6. Schedule of Distribution
      7. Formal vs. Informal Accounting
    2. Property Ownership Disputes
    3. Discharge of the Fiduciary

  8. Inventory: Preparing Asset Lists and Analyzing Records

    1. Probate vs. Non-Probate Assets
    2. Analyzing Bank and Business Records
    3. Identifying Title and Character of Assets
    4. Should You Assess and Document Assets Before or After the Initial Filing?
    5. When to Arrange for the Valuation of Assets
    6. Collecting, Maintaining, and Managing Assets
    7. Requesting Insurance Policy Information and Insuring Remaining Property
    8. Treatment of Real Property (Mortgages, Foreclosures, Sales, Etc.)
    9. How Spousal Elective Share is Determined
    10. Beneficiary Designation Accounts in Estate Administration
    11. Preparing the Inventories of Assets and Spreadsheets to Show Allocation of Assets

  9. Ethics in Probate

    1. Privileged vs. Non-Privileged Communications
    2. Unauthorized Practice of Law
    3. Safeguarding Against Malpractice Actions

Who Should Attend

This intermediate level course will allow attendees to improve their estate administration skills. Those who should attend include paralegals, legal assistants, and legal support staff.

Speakers

Lia E Smietanski
Lia E.
Smietanski
Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC
Beth Hampton
Beth
Hampton
The Blum Firm, P.C.
Louis A Silverman
Louis A.
Silverman
Tempe Estate Law
Evelina M Ruszkowski
Evelina M.
Ruszkowski
The Prue Law Group, P.C.
Barbara Lohr Van Sant
Barbara
Lohr Van Sant
Barbara Lohr Van Sant PC LLO
Speaker bio
Lia E Smietanski

Lia E. Smietanski

Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC
Lia Smietanski

is an attorney at Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC. She assists clients with the implementation of estate planning strategies, including drafting wills, revocable trusts, powers of attorney for healthcare and property, living wills, real property deeds, and opening and closing pleadings. Ms. Smietanski earned her Tax Certificate and J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and her B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from Loyola University. During law school, she served low-income taxpayers at the Loyola Federal Income Tax Clinic.

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Speaker bio
Beth Hampton

Beth Hampton

The Blum Firm, P.C.
Beth Hampton

is an attorney with The Blum Firm P.C., where she practices in the areas of probate, guardianships, estate planning and probate litigation. Ms. Hampton is a member of the State Bar of Texas (member, Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section), Tarrant County Bar Association, Tarrant County Probate Bar Association (member, Board of Directors, 2013-202), Hood County Bar Association, National Guardianship Association, and the Texas Guardianship Association. She earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Texas A & M University and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from Baylor University School of Law. Fort Worth, Texas magazine has recognized Ms. Hampton as one of Tarrant County's Top Attorneys in Probate, Estates and Trusts (2014-2024), and she has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star (2018-2024).

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Speaker bio
Louis A Silverman

Louis A. Silverman

Tempe Estate Law
Louis Silverman

is an attorney at Praesidium Law, PLLC, where he practices in the areas of estate planning, estate administration, probate law, and related matters. Mr. Silverman is board-certified in estate and trust law by the State Bar of Arizona. His practice emphasizes estate planning, which includes wills and trusts and other estate planning devices; and trust administration and probate, which includes death probate, guardianship, and conservatorship. Mr. Silverman has served as Judge Pro Tem on the Maricopa County Superior Court. He is a member of WealthCounsel, and is a past member of the Elder Law, Mental Health and Special Needs Planning Section of the State Bar of Arizona. Mr. Silverman is a board member emeritus of the Sonoran University of Health Sciences, past president of the Board of Directors of Tempe Leadership and past president of Tempe Community Action Agency. He earned his B.S. degree in business from Arizona State University and his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston. Mr. Silverman is admitted to practice in the state courts of Arizona and Texas, U.S. District Court for Arizona and Western District of Texas.

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Speaker bio
Evelina M Ruszkowski

Evelina M. Ruszkowski

The Prue Law Group, P.C.
Evelina Ruszkowski

is an attorney at The Prue Law Group, P.C., where she concentrates her practice in the various issues that arise in the settlement of estates and matters in probate court, as well as working with those who have suffered any type of personal injury. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire School of Law and holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical and biomedical engineering and a minor in business from the University of Rhode Island. Ms. Ruszkowski is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Boston Bar Association and Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts. She is licensed to practice law in Connecticut and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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Speaker bio
Barbara Lohr Van Sant

Barbara Lohr Van Sant

Barbara Lohr Van Sant PC LLO
Barbara Lohr Van Sant

is the principal of the Omaha law firm of Barbara Lohr Van Sant PC LLO. Ms. Van Sant practices in the areas of estate planning, elder law probate, real estate law, bankruptcy law and municipal law. She has been an instructor at the College of St. Mary, Metro Community College, Bellevue College in Nebraska and Citrus Community College in Florida. Ms. Van Sant is a member of the Nebraska Bar Association (Real Estate, Probate and Bankruptcy sections). She earned her B.A. degree at Creighton University and her J.D. degree at Creighton University School of Law.

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Top FAQs

What is included with my course purchase?

When you enroll prior to the live event date you will receive access to the live-streaming webinar which will allow you to interact with faculty in real-time.

With each course, you will receive access to the content via OnDemand Streaming and the Video Download.

Course reference materials are included with each course purchase in a downloadable PDF format.
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Closed captioning is available for all online live courses. Attendees may enable the closed captioning functionality within the event room once they have accessed the event by simply clicking the "cc" button in the lower right of the event room.
Are multiple attendee discounts available?

Yes, the more people you bring from your organization, the more you save. Please call out Customer Service Department to inquire about savings for your team at 800-793-5274.
When will the OnDemand be available and how long will I have access to the content?

The OnDemand Video will be available to stream within 14 days of live broadcast date. You will have access to the content for 6 months in your account.

If you're a subscriber, you'll have access to your course recordings until 7 days after the expiration date of the subscription.

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