Probate Document Organization Gems From Paralegal Pros
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| California MCLE Paralegal |
|
6 Total |
| Delaware Certified Paralegal Program |
|
6 Total |
| Florida Registered Paralegal |
|
6 Total |
| Indiana Paralegal CLE |
|
6 Total |
| NALA |
|
6 Total |
| Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals |
|
6 Total |
| North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education |
|
6 Total |
| New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of |
|
6 Total |
| Ohio Certified Paralegals |
|
6 Total |
| NFPA |
|
6 Total |
| Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division |
|
6 Total |
| Washington Paralegal Association |
|
6 Total |
Tue, Jun 23, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM
Tue, Jun 23, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM
Register For Course
Live Webinar Registration
OnDemand Video
Video Download
Course Book Download
or
Overview
Turn Probate Paperwork Into a Working System
Do you have a clear, reliable system for organizing probate documents from intake through estate closing? This practical course is designed to help paralegals build and maintain well-structured probate files that support court requirements, attorney review, and efficient estate administration. Participants will walk through the probate matter as a document lifecycle - learning how to set up the file at intake, organize original instruments and court filings, track deadlines and supporting documentation, and maintain clean and auditable records throughout the administration process. The course emphasizes real-world workflows paralegals use to manage incoming client materials, drafts, filed documents, and final estate records with consistency and confidence. Register today!
- Explore effective ways to create, improve, and maintain a standardized probate file structure.
- Get practical tips for organizing the incoming and created documents.
- Create better inventories with help from paralegal pros.
- Learn how to better manage court filings, deadlines, and version control.
- Maintain proper communication with clients, executors, and other parties.
- Prepare well-structured files for attorney review, final distributions, and estate closing.
Abbreviated Agenda
- Probate Files as a System (Foundational Overview)
- Intake and Opening the Probate File
- Managing Original Instruments and Sensitive Documents
- Court Filings and Working Documents
- Asset, Creditor, and Beneficiary Documentation
- Preparing for Accountings and Estate Closing
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Ethics in Probate
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| California MCLE Paralegal |
|
6 Total |
| Delaware Certified Paralegal Program |
|
6 Total |
| Florida Registered Paralegal |
|
6 Total |
| Indiana Paralegal CLE |
|
6 Total |
| NALA |
|
6 Total |
| Montana CLE Credit for Paralegals |
|
6 Total |
| North Carolina Continuing Paralegal Education |
|
6 Total |
| New Mexico Paralegal Division, State Bar of |
|
6 Total |
| Ohio Certified Paralegals |
|
6 Total |
| NFPA |
|
6 Total |
| Texas State Bar of Paralegal Division |
|
6 Total |
| Washington Paralegal Association |
|
6 Total |
Select Jurisdiction
Paralegal
Agenda
-
Probate Files as a System (Foundational Overview)
- The Paralegal’s Role in Probate Workflow Efficiency
- How Document Organization Supports Court and Fiduciary Compliance
- Differences Between Probate, Trust Administration, and Non-Probate Matters
-
Intake and Opening the Probate File
- Establishing a Standardized Intake Checklist
- Handling Incomplete or Conflicting Documents
- Best Practices for Labeling, Dating, and Source-Tracking
-
Managing Original Instruments and Sensitive Documents
- Identifying Originals vs. Copies
- Physical Storage vs. Digital Storage Protocols
- Chain of Custody Considerations
- Coordinating Originals for Court Filing or Attorney Review
-
Court Filings and Working Documents
- Organizing Pleadings, Notices, and Orders
- Separating Drafts, Filed Versions, and Conformed Copies
- Tracking Filing Dates, Service, and Deadlines
- Creating a Clear Audit Trail Within the File
-
Asset, Creditor, and Beneficiary Documentation
- Organizing Financial Records, Inventories, and Appraisals
- Tracking Creditor Claims and Supporting Documentation
- Beneficiary Communications and Acknowledgments
- Maintaining Access Controls
-
Preparing for Accountings and Estate Closing
- Organizing Documents for Accountings and Final Reports
- Confirming Completeness Before Attorney Review
- Closing Checklists and File Retention Considerations
-
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
-
Ethics in Probate
- Privileged vs. Non-Privileged Communications
- Unauthorized Practice of Law
- 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
- Legal Support Staff
Speakers
Speaker bio
Lisa S. Ramirez
is an attorney at Dismuke & Waters. She focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, guardianship, and corporate transactions. Ms. Ramirez earned her B.S. degree from Columbia College and her J.D. degree from UNT Dallas College of Law. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas (Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law, Business Law, Tax Section, Women and the Law), Tarrant County Bar Association (Tax and Estate Planning, Fort Worth Business and Estate, Real Estate, and Women Attorneys), Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association (Probate, Trusts and Estates Section), and Texas Bar College. Ms. Ramirez is admitted to practice law in Texas and Colorado.
Speaker bio
Laura D. Heard
is an attorney in San Antonio who focuses her practice on family law, wills and probate. She has been licensed to practice in Texas since 1987, and has been twice voted one of the "Best Appellate Lawyers in San Antonio" according to Scene in SA magazine. Ms. Heard is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and U.S. District Court of Texas, as well as all Texas state courts. She served for 14 years as an adjunct professor at Wayland Baptist University in San Antonio, teaching business law, business ethics, and criminal law. Ms. Heard is a past president of the Christian Legal Society, a founding member of the Texas Women Lawyers and a member of the San Antonio Bar Association (Family Law, Elder Law, and Appellate Law sections). She is a published author in various legal publications and a frequent educational speaker. Ms. Heard earned her B.A. degree, with honors, from Baylor University and her J.D. degree, with distinction, from St. Mary's University School of Law, where she earned the American Jurisprudence Awards for Domestic Relations and for Agency & Partnership Law.
Speaker bio
Amanda L. Burgess
is a senior paralegal at Dotzler Law. She plays a pivotal role in overseeing the firm's day-to-day operations, managing legal projects, and leading the estate and trust administration practice. Ms. Burgess earned her A.A. and B.S. degrees from Indian River State College. She is a licensed paralegal in Illinois.
Speaker bio
Matthew T. Sanford
is an attorney at the Law Office of Matthew T. Stanford. He focuses his practice on business law, real estate transactions, and estate planning. Mr. Sanford earned his B.S. degree in business administration, concentrating in finance, real estate, and law, from California State University, Pomona, and his J.D. degree from Loyola Marymount University. He is a member of the California State Bar and a licensed California real estate broker. Mr. Sanford is also a member of the California Lawyers Association and the San Bernardino County Bar Association. He is admitted to practice law in California.
Speaker bio
Diane J. Kiepe
is an attorney at Kiepe Estate and Probate, PLLC. She practices in the areas of wills, trusts, wealth transfer (including charitable gifting), probate and tax. Ms. Kiepe earned her undergraduate degree and J.D. degree from Memphis State University, and her LL.M. degree in taxation from the University of Miami. She is a long-time member of the Spokane Estate Planning Council and a member to the Spokane Chapter of Financial Planning Association. Ms. Kiepe is a member of the newly created Elder, Disability, Estate Planning Section of the Spokane County Bar Association.
Speaker bio
Sharon L. Michaels
is the owner of her law firm located in Houston, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in journalism, with honors, from Northwestern University; and her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Houston. The First Court of Appeals in Houston selected Ms. Michaels as a briefing attorney with attendance at the court's oral arguments for cases upon appeal and drafted proposed court opinions for Justice James Warren. After service with the court, she began her own law firm emphasizing on the areas of trusts, estate planning, probate, and business transactional work.
Top FAQs
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With each course, you will receive access to the content via OnDemand Streaming and the Video Download.
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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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