Course Description
This will focus on an introduction to the subject of wills and probate law. Topics include: basic estate planning including drafting a basic will, as well as the five basic steps of estate administration. (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- None
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Provide definitions when given a list of the key terms in probate law with 80% accuracy.
- Identify and correct and false statements about elder law based on the information provided in the text and lectures with 80% accuracy.
- Give probate documents, locate correct information in response to questions posed in hypothetical fact situations.
- Identify, explain, and classify the various kinds of property, such as real and personal property.
- Identify the disadvantages of failing to have an estate plan in clear and concise writing.
- Describe and draft certain estate planning documents: codicil, power of attorney, healthcare proxy, and living will.
- Give a hypothetical situation, describe the procedure for executing a will.
- Outline the four elements of a trust; the correct answer will include an explanation of a designated beneficiary, a designated trustee, a fund, and actual delivery by the settler to the trustee.
- Explain the three powers that a personal representative may have. Name two duties of a personal representative.
- Name the purpose of a petition, its sections, and draft a petition for estate administration.
- Explain the procedures for notification of creditors, creditors’ options, and how the estate may respond to a claim.
- Explain the inheritance tax and how it is calculated.
- Compare and contrast ancillary and domiciliary administration.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-7) | 35% |
Study Guides (Weeks 1-7) | 15% |
Midterm Exam (Weeks 4) | 20% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Gibson, Pamela (2009).Wills, Trusts and Probate Law for Paralegals. Prentice Hall Publishing. ISBN-10: 0132369826 or ISBN-13: 9780132369824
Course Schedule
| Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignment(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1-5 | Topic: Wealth, Property & Estates
Topic: Intestate Succession
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|
2 | 1-3, 6, 7 | Topic: Basic Estate Planning
Topic: Drafting a Basic Will
|
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3 | 1-3, 8 | Topic: Trusts
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4 | 1-3, 9 | Topic: Overview of Estate Administration and the Personal Representative
Midterm Review
|
|
Midterm Exam | |||
5 | 1-3, 10 | Topic: Issurance of Letters of Appointment
|
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6 | 1-3, 11, 12 | Topic: Inventory and Appraisal and Creditors' Claims
Topic: Tax Documents
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7 | 1-3, 13 | Topic: Final Account and Closing the Estate
Final Review
|
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8 | Final Exam | ||
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.