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Comprehensive Estate Planning & Probate Essentials: What Lawyers Must Know

Navigate small estate planning and probate essentials, from non-probate transfers to administration timelines, costs, and family coordination strategies.

2026-01-09 13:00:00

2 hours

Program Details

2026-01-09 13:00:00

Program Details

2026-01-09 13:00:00

Over 1,000+ webinars

2026-01-09 13:00:00

2 hours

Course Overview

Mastering Small Estate Planning and Probate

2026-01-09 13:00:00

Participants will learn to select appropriate non-probate transfer devices, coordinate beneficiary designations with estate plans, and navigate probate administration efficiently. These strategies minimize costs and family conflict while ensuring proper asset distribution.

Format

CLE Credit

2h CLE Credits

Level

Intermediate

Length

2

Key topics that will be covered

01
Small Estates
Estates under state tax exemption thresholds require careful planning despite modest values.
02
Non-Probate Transfers
POD, TOD, and joint ownership devices offer simplicity but create risks for certain beneficiaries.
03
Beneficiary Coordination
Designations must align with trusts for minors, disabled beneficiaries, and second marriages.
04
Retirement Accounts
Tax-deferred assets require SECURE Act planning and are ideal for charitable distributions.
05
Probate Process
Courts oversee debt payment, creditor claims periods, and proper distribution to heirs.
06
Family Agreements
Settlement agreements and communication strategies help families avoid costly probate litigation.

Program schedule

clock 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST

Planning for the Small Estate: Non-Probate Transfers

This session explores the strategic use of non-probate transfer devices for estates under state tax thresholds, examining their advantages such as simplicity and cost-effectiveness alongside disadvantages including risks for minors, disabled beneficiaries, and second marriages. Attendees will learn how to coordinate POD/TOD designations, joint tenancy, and transfer on death deeds with wills and trusts, while understanding provisions under the Uniform Probate Code and Uniform Transfer on Death Securities Registration Act.

Jennifer NortonJennifer Norton
James T. McNaryJames T. McNary
clock 2:10 pm - 3:10 pm EST

Navigating Probate: Practical Guidance for Families and Professionals

This session demystifies the probate process by explaining when probate is required, how estates move through court systems, and the distinct roles of personal representatives, heirs, and beneficiaries during administration. Using Indiana as an exemplar, participants will examine typical timelines, expected costs, common pitfalls like unfunded trusts and outdated beneficiary designations, and practical strategies such as family settlement agreements to streamline administration and reduce family stress.

Jennifer NortonJennifer Norton
James T. McNaryJames T. McNary
Jennifer Norton

Jennifer Norton

Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law

James T. McNary

James T. McNary

McNary Law Office, P.A

Jennifer Norton

Jennifer Norton

Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law

Jennifer Norton is an experienced estate planning attorney who has dedicated her career to helping families navigate all stages of planning and administration. She has focused exclusively on estate planning, providing comprehensive services that include trust-based planning, probate administration, and Medicaid qualification strategies. After gaining extensive training through the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys and working closely with its leadership, she founded Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law in 2013. Her practice now serves more than 350 client families, and her work is driven by a strong commitment to educating and supporting clients through complex legal processes, particularly probate, with practical, clear guidance.

Education & Credentials

Jennifer Norton earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University–Bloomington and her J.D. from the Maurer School of Law. She has focused her legal career exclusively on estate planning since graduating in 2008 and has received extensive training in estate and tax planning through her involvement with the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Recognition & Leadership

Jennifer Norton has demonstrated leadership within the legal and local community through her roles as Vice President of the Trust & Estates Section of the National Bar Association and President of Marion County’s Citizen Police Complaint Board. She also founded her own firm in 2013 and has built a practice serving over 350 client families, reflecting her leadership in estate planning and elder law.

Professional Involvement

Jennifer Norton remains actively involved in the estate planning community through her continued collaboration with the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. She also contributes her time to multiple nonprofit boards serving Indiana communities, supporting initiatives that align with her commitment to family guidance, education, and community service.

Experience

Jennifer Norton has focused exclusively on estate planning since 2008, assisting families with trust-based plans, wills, powers of attorney, guardianship and conservatorship matters, probate administration, and Medicaid qualification strategies. She joined the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys in 2009 and worked closely with its CEO for more than four years before founding her own firm in 2013. Her experience includes guiding personal representatives, heirs, and beneficiaries through probate, with a deep understanding of Indiana-specific timelines, procedures, and common challenges, enabling her to provide practical strategies that simplify the process and reduce client stress.
James T. McNary

James T. McNary

McNary Law Office, P.A

James T. “Jim” McNary is a seasoned trust and estates attorney based in Red Wing, Minnesota, with more than 35 years of experience advising individuals, families, and businesses. His practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, business succession planning, and related tax matters, allowing him to develop a deep and practical understanding of these areas. Jim is also a respected educator and author, frequently presenting continuing legal education programs and contributing to leading legal publications. He is known for delivering personalized, goal-driven estate planning solutions that help clients protect assets, support family legacies, and ensure smooth generational transitions.

Education & Credentials

James T. McNary is a licensed attorney in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, with over 35 years of legal experience focused on trust and estates. His credentials reflect a long-standing commitment to estate planning, tax matters, and fiduciary guidance for individuals and families.

Recognition & Leadership

James T. McNary is recognized as a respected educator and thought contributor in the field of trust and estates law. He has presented dozens of continuing legal education programs and has published articles in leading legal publications such as Trusts and Estates, Probate and Property, and Minnesota Bench and Bar, demonstrating leadership in advancing knowledge within his practice area.

Professional Involvement

James T. McNary is actively involved in the legal community through his extensive teaching and writing. He regularly presents continuing legal education courses for attorneys and professionals and contributes scholarly work to prominent legal publications, sharing insights on estate planning, probate administration, and tax-related issues.

Experience

James T. McNary brings more than 35 years of experience advising clients on estate planning, probate and trust administration, business succession planning, and the preparation of gift, estate, and fiduciary income tax returns. He assists clients with a full range of planning tools, including powers of attorney, health care directives, wills, transfer-on-death deeds, and complex tax-saving trusts. His work also includes guiding families through probate and trust administration with clarity and compassion, serving clients with estates ranging from modest holdings to multimillion-dollar portfolios while focusing on effective asset protection and generational planning strategies.
Jennifer Norton

Jennifer Norton

Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law

Jennifer Norton is an experienced estate planning attorney who has dedicated her career to helping families navigate all stages of planning and administration. She has focused exclusively on estate planning, providing comprehensive services that include trust-based planning, probate administration, and Medicaid qualification strategies. After gaining extensive training through the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys and working closely with its leadership, she founded Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law in 2013. Her practice now serves more than 350 client families, and her work is driven by a strong commitment to educating and supporting clients through complex legal processes, particularly probate, with practical, clear guidance.

Education & Credentials

Jennifer Norton earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Indiana University–Bloomington and her J.D. from the Maurer School of Law. She has focused her legal career exclusively on estate planning since graduating in 2008 and has received extensive training in estate and tax planning through her involvement with the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Recognition & Leadership

Jennifer Norton has demonstrated leadership within the legal and local community through her roles as Vice President of the Trust & Estates Section of the National Bar Association and President of Marion County’s Citizen Police Complaint Board. She also founded her own firm in 2013 and has built a practice serving over 350 client families, reflecting her leadership in estate planning and elder law.

Professional Involvement

Jennifer Norton remains actively involved in the estate planning community through her continued collaboration with the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys. She also contributes her time to multiple nonprofit boards serving Indiana communities, supporting initiatives that align with her commitment to family guidance, education, and community service.

Experience

Jennifer Norton has focused exclusively on estate planning since 2008, assisting families with trust-based plans, wills, powers of attorney, guardianship and conservatorship matters, probate administration, and Medicaid qualification strategies. She joined the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys in 2009 and worked closely with its CEO for more than four years before founding her own firm in 2013. Her experience includes guiding personal representatives, heirs, and beneficiaries through probate, with a deep understanding of Indiana-specific timelines, procedures, and common challenges, enabling her to provide practical strategies that simplify the process and reduce client stress.
James T. McNary

James T. McNary

McNary Law Office, P.A

James T. “Jim” McNary is a seasoned trust and estates attorney based in Red Wing, Minnesota, with more than 35 years of experience advising individuals, families, and businesses. His practice focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, business succession planning, and related tax matters, allowing him to develop a deep and practical understanding of these areas. Jim is also a respected educator and author, frequently presenting continuing legal education programs and contributing to leading legal publications. He is known for delivering personalized, goal-driven estate planning solutions that help clients protect assets, support family legacies, and ensure smooth generational transitions.

Education & Credentials

James T. McNary is a licensed attorney in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, with over 35 years of legal experience focused on trust and estates. His credentials reflect a long-standing commitment to estate planning, tax matters, and fiduciary guidance for individuals and families.

Recognition & Leadership

James T. McNary is recognized as a respected educator and thought contributor in the field of trust and estates law. He has presented dozens of continuing legal education programs and has published articles in leading legal publications such as Trusts and Estates, Probate and Property, and Minnesota Bench and Bar, demonstrating leadership in advancing knowledge within his practice area.

Professional Involvement

James T. McNary is actively involved in the legal community through his extensive teaching and writing. He regularly presents continuing legal education courses for attorneys and professionals and contributes scholarly work to prominent legal publications, sharing insights on estate planning, probate administration, and tax-related issues.

Experience

James T. McNary brings more than 35 years of experience advising clients on estate planning, probate and trust administration, business succession planning, and the preparation of gift, estate, and fiduciary income tax returns. He assists clients with a full range of planning tools, including powers of attorney, health care directives, wills, transfer-on-death deeds, and complex tax-saving trusts. His work also includes guiding families through probate and trust administration with clarity and compassion, serving clients with estates ranging from modest holdings to multimillion-dollar portfolios while focusing on effective asset protection and generational planning strategies.

Credits by state

AK2.0
AL2.0
AR2.0
AZ2.0
CA2.0
CO2.0
CT2.0
DC
DE2.0
FL2.0
GA2.0
HI2.4
IA2.0
ID2.0
IL2.0
IN2.0
KS2.0
KY2.0
LA2.0
MA2.0
MD2.0
ME2.0
MI2.0
MN2.0
MO2.4
MS2.0
MT2.0
NC2.0
ND2.0
NE2.0
NH120.0
NJ2.0
NM2.0
NV2.0
NY2.0
OH2.0
OK2.5
OR2.0
PA2.0
RI2.0
SC2.0
SD2.0
TN2.0
TX2.0
UT2.0
VA2.0
VT2.0
WA2.0
WI2.0
WV2.4
WY2.0

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

70,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

70,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

10,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

1000+

Live stream programs

24/7

Access to live webinars & recordings

70,000+

Trusted by Legal Professionals

MCLE Credits

Alabama
Approved
Alaska
Approved
Arizona
Approved
Arkansas
Approved
California
Approved
Colorado
Approved
Connecticut
Approved
Delaware
Pending
District of Columbia
No Required
Florida
Approved
Georgia
Approved
Hawaii
Approved
Idaho
Pending
Illinois
Approved
Indiana
Approved
Iowa
Pending
Kansas
Pending
Kentucky
Pending
Louisiana
Pending
Maine
Pending
Maryland
No Required
Massachusetts
No Required
Michigan
No Required
Minnesota
Approved
Mississippi
Pending
Missouri
Approved
Montana
Approved
Nebraska
Pending
Nevada
Approved
New Hampshire
Approved
New Jersey
Approved
New Mexico
Approved
New York
Approved
North Carolina
Approved
North Dakota
Approved
Ohio
Approved
Oklahoma
Approved
Oregon
Pending
Pennsylvania
Approved
Rhode Island
Pending
South Carolina
Pending
South Dakota
No Required
Tennessee
Approved
Texas
Approved
Utah
Pending
Vermont
Approved
Virginia
Not Eligible
Washington
Approved
West Virginia
Pending
Wisconsin
Approved
Wyoming
Pending

Alabama

Requirements

The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.  

Formats

  • Attorneys can earn unlimited “live” credit through live seminars, live webcasts, and co-sponsored locations with MyLAWCLE-Alabama approved programs
  • Attorneys are limited to 6 credits per compliance period of “online” programs through MyLAwCLE On-Demand programs