Estate Planning & Probate

Traditionally, animals have been classified as property under the law, creating a host of complications when it comes to planning for their care after the death or incapacity of their owners.

PRE-ORDER This valuable guide assists attorneys in choosing the most effective means for protecting a client’s marital, family, and business assets.

IICLE's Estate Planning Short Course 2026 is an extensive program focused on navigating the complexities of estate planning law. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with seasoned attorneys who will deliver detailed analysis of the latest regulations, tax implications, strategies, and best practices in estate planning.

Designed for attorneys handling estates and trusts, this resource delivers actionable guidance on managing business assets—especially those tied to closely held companies, professional practices, and family-run operations.

This session will focus on common estate planning mistakes that we should all avoid and will cover many topics, including taking advantage of portability, using the Illinois QTIP election and properly allocating GST exemption.

Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning Boot Camp.

This session will summarize the key tax and estate planning benefits that can be achieved by carefully incorporating a life insurance policy in a client’s estate plan. In addition, it will address the differences between term and permanent life insurance, determining who should be the owner and beneficiary of the life insurance policy, how best to fund a trust-owned life insurance policy, and avoiding the troublesome “transfer-for-value” rule.

Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning Boot Camp.

This session will cover several important decision points concerning IRAs that most IRA owners will encounter so you can answer their questions. These will include beneficiary designations, IRA owner’s disability, investment of IRA assets in nonmarketable assets, and administering IRAs after the owner’s death.

Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning Boot Camp.

This session will walk you through a checklist to ensure thoroughness in each stage of the planning process, from pre-engagement to document drafting to termination of representation, to help you avoid malpractice claims. Additionally, a Q&A session will address specific issues that arise in everyday practice.

Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning Boot Camp.

This session will start with a review of the basics of revocable trusts and then delve into various revocable trust structures and provisions that attorneys should consider for their clients.

Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning Boot Camp.

This course introduces stock-based compensation, how it works, and how it can impact trust and estate planning.

This session will review the essential provisions and important aspects of wills. Drafting considerations will also be discussed.

Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning Boot Camp.

This session will deal with the art (not science!) of choosing the right client, the importance and content of engagement letters, and the client communication that most of us probably don’t do well: the conclusion of representation letter.

Originally presented as part of the Estate Planning Boot Camp.