Using an effective “learn by doing” approach, Wills, Trusts, and Estates for Legal Assistants emphasizes examples and applications, and includes hundreds of real life situations with detailed explanations. Students understand what the rules of law mean and how they apply in a real world context. The complete topic coverage introduces wills and trusts, intestate succession, estate administration, nonprobate transfers, and other estate planning issues such as taxes and malpractice. A balanced, experienced author team skillfully blends theory with practice and extensive pedagogy reinforces the text, with marginal terms and a glossary, ethical points, checklists, practice tips, and sample forms. The instructor's manual provides a summary of chapters, a model course outline, exam questions, assignment ideas, exercises, and a research guide for wills, trusts, and estates. New to the Sixth Edition: The impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on federal income, gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes Rights and liabilities of same-sex spouses Electronic wills and access to a decedent’s digital assets Techniques for demonstrating testamentary capacity Directed trusts and trusts authorizing trustees to consider environmental, social, and governance factors in making investment decisions Modifying the terms of an irrevocable trust by “decanting” Professors and students will benefit from: lively, lucid, and conversational style grabs and holds students’ interest learning-by-doing approach gives students a concrete grasp of abstract concepts Practice Tips guide students through the critical process of preparing and managing files flexible structure allows professors to follow the presentation of concepts in the book or organize the chapters to fit their syllabus

Helewitz's Basic Wills, Trusts, and Estates for Paralegals is a concise and practical guide to the planning and administration of wills, trusts, and estates. This succinct, simple, and straightforward introduction to all the basics of wills, trusts, and estates law was specifically designed for paralegal students. Continuing examples describing four different families provide an accessible structure and helpful point of reference for students learning the intricacies of estate planning. Highlights include: A straightforward introduction that provides a student-friendly orientation to the subject Clear and concise coverage of key topics A review of the sources of property law, trusts, and taxes A helpful guide to drafting documents related to wills and trusts Step-by-step instruction for completing the entire federal estate tax return State-by-state analysis of trust and estate law Four families/clients threaded through the text exemplify the intricacies of estate planning Chapter overviews, key terms, review questions, sample clauses, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises Sample forms in the appendix New to the Ninth Edition: General and state-specific sections concerning admissibility and restrictions for electronic wills Updated codes and case law for the comparison of estate law in the different jurisdictions Updated tax thresholds and rules Updated federal and state documents and forms New case studies in each chapter cover such issues as: QTIP trusts The impact of Covid on the execution of wills Claims against an escheated estate Wrongful prolongation of life Professors and students will benefit from: Comprehensive coverage of the key topics includes a review of the sources of property law, trusts, and taxes, topics not thoroughly covered in other texts. Clearly written text and lively examples help students understand the law. A straightforward introduction that provides a student-friendly orientation to the subject Clear and concise coverage of key topics A helpful guide to drafting documents related to wills and trusts Step-by-step instructions for completing the entire federal estate tax return State-by-state analysis and comparison of trust and estate law Four families/clients threaded through the text exemplify the intricacies of estate planning Chapter overviews, key terms, review questions, sample clauses, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises Sample forms in the appendix Examples and explanations pedagogy engages students with the material. Practical approach appeals to programs with shorter, less theoretical courses.

New text for the paralegal course on Wills, Trusts, and Estates that provides a general overview of Wills and Trusts. Covers the use of wills and trusts in creating an estate plan, as well as an overview of estate litigation and estate administration. This text teaches paralegals the necessary skills to assist with the preparation of wills and trusts and with the administration of estates. Key Features Begins with an understanding of the history and development of estate planning laws, continues through the preparation of the documents needed to create an estate plan, and ends with how to administer an estate. Practical, step-by-step examples throughout the book apply the concepts to realistic situations. Examples break down each document into individual elements. At each step, alternatives are provided and options are discussed. Practice Tips help students understand real-life applications and situations. Drafting exercises in the text offer opportunities to apply what the students have learned. Ethical considerations that all attorneys and paralegals must follow are included throughout the text. More complex concepts are introduced for general understanding only, so that students have an understanding of the concepts and language used in practice. The text emphasizes the vocabulary of estate planning so that students know the meaning of different terms and to use the terms correctly. Key terms are defined in the margins.

Basic Wills, Trusts and Estates for Paralegals, Fourth Edition, The concise text designed as an overview of wills, trusts, and estates for paralegal students, has been thoroughly updated to reflect changes in both state and federal materials. Written specifically with the paralegal student in mind, this user-friendly text provides: A quick, simple, and straightforward introduction to all of the basics of wills, trusts, and estates law Comprehensive coverage of the key topics, including a review of the sources of property law, trusts, and taxes Clearly written text and lively examples to help students Understand The law Helpful guidance on how to draft wills and trusts documents A step-by-step review of how to complete the entire federal estate tax return A final chapter with a state-by-state analysis of trust and estate law Continuing examples describing four different families that give students a helpful point of reference in learning the intricacies of estate planning Well-developed learning and teaching aids: chapter overviews, highlighted examples, key terms, review questions, sample clauses for analysis, edited cases, chapter summaries, and end-of-chapter exercises An appendix with useful forms A manageable length that makes this book ideal for shorter courses Completely updated, The Fourth Edition includes: New chapter questions Updated state-specific material in the final chapter Updated tax materials, including the new federal tax form New and updated forms in the appendix Comprehensive and practical, this manageable text conveys everything paralegal students need to know about wills, trusts, and estates without overwhelming them. an instructor website to support classroom instruction using this title is available at www.aspenlawschool.com/helewitz_wills4 .

A comprehensive and class-tested introduction to Wills, Trusts and Estates, designed for the New York paralegal The new and updated 4th edition of Wills, Trusts, and Estates: Essential Tools for the New York Paralegal provides students, paralegals, and estate practitioners with all the information and materials needed to effectively administer an estate from beginning to end. In a readable and accessible format the text addresses such topics as basic terminology, intestate administration, probate proceedings, litigation, jurisdiction and venue, fiduciary duties and responsibilities, including accountings, trusts, and estate and fiduciary income taxes. This complete text focuses specifically on New York practice and eliminates the need for other supplements. Enhanced by the author's extensive experience in the field of trusts and estates, the book, with its discussion of relevant case law, recent legislative changes, forms, additions to the Uniform Court Rules, including rules pertaining to e-filing, and practical and procedural guides, is an excellent instructional tool and desk reference for students, paralegals and attorneys. New to the Fourth Edition: Updated terms and definitions Recent case law New coverage of: Proceedings to determine the validity and effect of a right of election Duress as an objection to probate Discussion of the virtual representation statute in accounting proceedings Guidelines for receipts and releases as a means of settling an estate Statutory updates, including the Child-Parent Security Act, the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act as applied to Surrogate’s Court proceedings, the attorney-client privilege and revocable trusts, and amendments to the estate tax laws Added chapter on Miscellaneous Proceedings, including discovery proceedings, wrongful death compromises, and the appointment of a successor trustee Updated instructional diagrams and examples Professors and students will benefit from: State-specific rules, forms, and reference sources, including a complete appendix of forms In-depth instruction in paralegal tasks and skills at each stage of administration, estate planning, and litigation Paralegal resources such as software, books, websites, and other tools for the New York paralegal A separate chapter devoted to the ethical issues encountered by paralegals and attorneys Case synopses and chapter pedagogy that help students understand, practice, and retain material. Pedagogy includes charts and diagrams, key terms, ethical points, topic sidebars, highlighted examples, and review exercises Current decisions that highlight points of law and statutory applications, bringing a sense of reality to the material

Succeed in your course and your paralegal career with WILLS, TRUSTS, AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, 8th Edition. This easy-to-understand text introduces the basics of estate planning and bequeathing property to others through wills and trusts, along with the laws and procedures involved, including the Uniform Probate Code. Packed with engaging, highly visual content enhanced by detailed exhibits and a writing style free of confusing legalese, the 8th Edition provides up-to-date coverage of relevant laws, court procedures, cases, tax implications, ethical considerations, and the roles paralegals and other professionals play in the process. Throughout the text, user-friendly case summaries, state-specific examples, practical assignments, detailed documents, and real-life contemporary issues prepare you for success as a paralegal in this important area of law. Important Notice: Media content referenced within the product description or the product text may not be available in the ebook version.