MINNEAPOLIS
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
8:55 AM - 4:00 PM | Check-In: 8:30 AM
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall # 370
3rd Floor, City Center
Minneapolis, MN 55402
You will learn:
All new lawyers may attend at a 50% discount!
New lawyers who have been admitted to the bar less than 5 years receive a 50% discount. This discount will be applied automatically during checkout.
8:30 – 8:55 a.m.
CHECK-IN & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:55 – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
– Jennifer S. Santini, Course Chair
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
First Steps: Intake and Fact-Finding
Learn the art of client intake and hone your fact-finding skills to glean critical information swiftly and effectively as you make a preliminary estate evaluation. Cultivate rapport-building techniques vital for establishing trust and understanding with clients.
– Scott A. Ruhsam & Tina M. Johnson
10:00 – 10:05 a.m.
BREAK
10:05 – 11:05 a.m.
Where Do We Go from Here: Formal v. Informal Probate
Familiarize yourself with the statutes that govern probate proceedings in Minnesota. How do you use your preliminary estate evaluation to determine whether to proceed formally or informally? What forms do you need to file in each type of proceeding? What is the difference between supervised and unsupervised probate proceedings?
– Scott A. Ruhsam & Tina M. Johnson
11:05 – 11:15 a.m.
BREAK
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Navigating the Financial Landscape: Assets, Liabilities, and More
Evaluating the financial status of an estate requires attention to detail and a solid understanding of legal obligations. This session will equip probate attorneys with the skills needed to efficiently identify and categorize estate assets, liabilities, debts, and expenses. Learn best practices for handling creditor claims, including statutory deadlines, priority of payments, and dispute resolution.
– William R. Asp & Spencer R. Riegelman
12:00 – 12:30 p.m.
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
12:30 – 1:15 p.m.
Probate Tax Essentials: Filing Requirements, Deadlines, and Planning Strategies
A comprehensive overview of key tax obligations, including filing the decedent’s final income tax return, selecting the appropriate tax year for the estate, and understanding income tax considerations for both the estate and its beneficiaries. We will also cover estate and gift tax filing requirements, including when Form 706 is necessary and how to claim estate tax portability. Additional topics include GST tax implications, coordinating with the decedent’s financial advisors, and addressing common property tax concerns.
– Charles M. Austinson
1:15 – 2:00 p.m.
Management, Sale, and Distribution of Interests in Real Estate
Real property is a common estate asset and its transfer requires careful attention to specific rules and procedures. This session will cover key steps for smooth conveyance, how to identify and resolve pre-transfer issues, and strategies for efficient execution. We’ll also explore unique real estate challenges and how to handle them within the probate process.
– Brandon J. Edmundson
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
BREAK
2:15 – 3:00 p.m.
Last Steps: How to Distribute Assets and Close the Estate
This session covers essential factors in estate closure and distribution. Learn the proper process for distributing various asset types and selecting the best method to close an estate, along with the required procedures for each approach.
– Andrew J. Peterson & Gregory R. Vichot
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Litigation Basics and the 5 Most Common Disputes in Estate Litigation
Learn about the common problems and issues in estate administration and how to handle situations when disputes or objections arise.
– Patricia J. Stotzheim & Bethany Rubis
LIVE IN-PERSON
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Minnesota CLE Conference Center
600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 370
Seventh Street & Nicollet Mall, Third Floor City Center
Minneapolis, Minnesota
ONLINE REPLAYS
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Monday, June 2, 2025
Attend online
A moderator will be available to answer questions by email.
$295 MSBA members / $295 paralegals / $345 standard rate
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 standard CLE credits. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.
