Trusts

This program presents the latest developments in Medicaid Compliant Annuity (MCA) planning. It covers best practices for structuring annuities to meet Medicaid eligibility requirements, recent regulatory and policy updates, common compliance pitfalls, and strategic planning considerations.

This practical half day program covers the key steps attorneys must take before opening probate in Illinois, including initial client meetings, identifying heirs and assets, and assessing potential issues before filing. Review key will provision and common pitfalls, and best practices for preparing a clear, defensible affidavit of heirship. Designed to help practitioners avoid early missteps, this program ensures probate cases start on solid footing.

Designed for Illinois attorneys focused on elder law, the annual Elder Law Short Course offers a comprehensive exploration of the most current issues affecting older adults and their families, including estate planning, Medicaid, guardianship, long-term care, and recent legal developments. Attendees will stay ahead of evolving laws and policies, learn advanced planning tools such as special needs trusts, retirement account strategies, and irrevocable trusts, strengthen advocacy skills for serving diverse clients—including LGBTQ+ individuals, caregivers, people with disabilities, and those at risk of exploitation—and gain practical guidance on navigating overlapping public benefits programs, all while networking with experienced faculty and peers.

New for 2026, Day Two includes an optional Track C devoted entirely to AI in elder law practice, with demonstrations, practical “plain-English” guidance, and interactive workshops designed for immediate use. Because this track is an additional-fee add-on and is not recorded, attendees who select it must attend in-person. Registration is limited.

A practical, authoritative guide for Illinois practitioners, this handbook addresses every phase of trust practice from creation and administration to litigation and termination while exploring trustee duties, taxation and investments, charitable trusts, court involvement, and compliance under the Illinois Trust Code.

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

Learn how to address language and literature barriers, vision impairments, and hearing loss in legal practice. Participants will explore an attorney’s obligations to accommodate clients' needs and the standards required for adequate accommodation. Practical strategies will be shared to ensure clients facing these challenges are effectively supported, ensuring accessibility and adherence to ethical and legal standards.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

Enhance your ability to effectively guide clients in trust administration, ensuring compliance and avoiding common pitfalls that can lead to litigation, such as demands for accounting and citations for removal. This session will also deliver valuable insights into managing trust-related issues already in litigation and provide strategies for advising clients under the Illinois Trust Code.

Originally presented as part of the Elder Law Short Course 2024.

This handbook provides detailed guidance, including provisions to cover varying client matters, for drafting revocable grantor trusts as a key element of client estate plans.

This course provides a broad overview of Illinois land trust law and administration. It includes legislative and case law updates.

This course focuses on helping attorneys better understand the impact their clients', and their own, religious beliefs can have as they work through the estate planning process.

Enhance your skills, broaden your knowledge base and network with peers and experienced faculty at the annual Elder Law Short Course! This comprehensive program is designed for Illinois attorneys specializing in elder law and provides a focused exploration of the most current and critical issues affecting older adults and their families. Topics covered include estate planning, Medicaid, long-term care planning and updates on recent legal developments.

Online On-Demand, includes all breakout sessions.

Purchase Individual Sessions Here

This handbook is a comprehensive guide designed to lead attorneys through issues involved in planning for individuals with special needs and in establishing special needs trusts.