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South Texas College of Law
24th Annual
WILLS AND PROBATE INSTITUTE
September 24-25, 2009
Houston, Texas

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Accredited by the State Bar of Texas for 13.0 MCLE hours, including 2.50 hours of legal ethics.


Today's troubled economic climate impacts not only our everyday lives, but is predicted to have a potentially devastating effect on the lives of our heirs and beneficiaries as well. Understanding recent changes to Texas' laws and regulations, and the interpretation of those changes by our Texas courts is critical. South Texas College of Law's 2009 Wills and Probate Institute is truly a "can't miss" event.

This year's Planning Committee has included a wide variety of topics - including legislative and case law updates, Medicaid, and the coordination of beneficiary designations as well as succession and estate planning techniques. The program includes a primer for fiduciaries and presentations designed to provide tips that attendees can apply in their practices. One interesting topic will address posthumous reproduction and surrogacy using this topic as one example of the impact that science has on the law.

Join your colleagues for a packed agenda offering 13.0 MCLE hours, including 2.5 hours of legal ethics.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

8:00 REGISTRATION and Continental Breakfast sponsored by Encore Trust, a division of Encore Bank

8:50 Welcome and Opening Remarks
  • Donald J. Guter, Dean and President, South Texas College of Law - Houston
  • Lisa L. Dahm, J.D., LL.M-Health, Director of CLE and Adjunct Professor, South Texas College of Law - Houston

Morning Moderator:
Hon. Mike Wood, Harris County Probate Court No. 2

9:00 Legislative Update (1.0 hour)
  • William D. Pargaman, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P. - Austin

10:00 Texas Ethics: Complying with Professional Obligations (.50 hour)
(Ethics Topic)
  • Jennifer A. Hasley, Hasley Scarano, L.L.P. - Houston

10:30 Morning Break

10:45 Case Law Update (1.0 hour)
  • Professor Gerry W. Beyer, Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law, Texas Tech University School of Law - Lubbock

11:45 Medicaid Update (1.0 hour)
  • Wesley E. Wright, Wright Abshire, Attorneys - Houston

12:30 Lunch Break
(pick up lunch and return to the auditorium)

12:45 Lunch Presentation
Ethics Fast Track (1.0 hour)
(Ethics Topic)
  • Hon. Kathleen S. Stone, Harris County Probate Court No. 1 - Houston
1:45 After Lunch Break


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Afternoon Moderator:
Hon. Katleen S. Stone, Harris County Probate Court No. 1
2:00 Inventories in Decedent's and Guardianship Estates (.75 hour)
  • Arielle M. Copeland, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP - Houston
  • Bridget O'Toole Purdie, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP - Houston
2:45 Coordinating Beneficiary Designations: Has Your World Changed in the Last Five Years? (.75 hour)
  • T. Christine Butts, Riddle, Butts & Akiens, LLP - Houston
  • Michael C. Riddle, Riddle, Butts & Akiens, LLP - Houston

3:30 Afternoon Break

3:45 Succession Planning for Family Business (.75 hour)
(Includes .25 hour of legal ethics)
  • Weldon Ray Russell, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP - Houston

4:30 A Primer for Trustees (.75 hour)
  • Helen B. Wils, Crain, Caton & James, P.C. - Houston

5:15 Adjourn

Accreditation for Thursday = Accredited by the State Bar of Texas for 7.25 MCLE hours, including 1.75 hours of legal ethics.

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Friday, September 25, 2009

8:00 Continental Breakfast sponsored by Encore Trust, a division of Encore Bank

8:50 Welcome Remarks
  • Lisa L. Dahm, J.D., LL.M-Health, Director of CLE and Adjunct Professor, South Texas College of Law - Houston

Morning Moderator:
Hon. William C. McCulloch, Harris County Probate Court No. 4

9:00 Duties of the Attorney Ad Litem in Heirship Proceedings (.50 hour)
  • Louis M. Ditta, Cenatiempo & Ditta, L.L.P. - Houston

9:30 Dependent Admnistrations (.75 hour)
  • Hon. Cathy K. Shannon, Associate Judge, Harris County Probate Court No. 4 - Houston

10:15 Morning Break

10:30 VA Aid and Attendant benefits - Planning Opportunity (.50 hour)
  • Christina Lesher, Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC - Houston

11:00 Dealing with the Debts of teh Surviving Spouse in the Estate of the Deceased Spouse (.75 hour)
(Includes .25 hour of legal ethics)
  • Professor Thomas M. Featherston, Jr., Baylor University School of Law - Waco

11:45 Lunch Break
(pick up lunch and return to the auditorium)

12:00 Lunch Presentation
Thinking Outside the Box? Science and the Law (1.0 hour)
(Includes .50 hour of legal ethics)
  • Nancy Young Hart, Wells, Peyton, Greenberg & Hunt, L.L.P. - Beaumont
1:00 After Lunch Break


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Afternoon Moderator:
Hon. Ann Greene, Associate Judge, Harris County Probate Court No. 2
1:15 The Trial of A Will Contest (.75 hour)
  • Jill W. Young, MacIntyre & McCulloch, LLP - Houston
2:00 Estate Planning in Changing (and Challenging) Financial Times (.75 hour)
  • Mickey R. Davis, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP - Houston

2:45 Tax Planning for Persons with Disabilities (.75 hour)
  • C. Christine Borrett, Crady, Jewett & McCulley, LLP - Houston
3:30 Adjourn

Accreditation for Friday = Accredited by the State Bar of Texas for 5.75 MCLE hours, including .75 hour of legal ethics.

This CLE course is being offered in conjunction with the
GUARDIAN AND AD LITEM CERTIFICATION COURSE
September 23, 2009.
Attend both conferences and receive up to 17.50 MCLE hours,
including 3.75 hours of legal ethics at a reduced tuition rate.

To register


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