Simple Wills vs. Pour Over Wills

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.

What are the standard components for a will without a trust or a pour-over will? Learn more about how to name the executor and guardians and what boilerplate to include, along with requirements of a basic testamentary trust under a will and a basic revocable trust agreement. Originally presented as part of Fundamentals of Will Drafting 2025