Check-In & Registration

A continental breakfast will be available.

Trust Distributions and How They Are Unsettled 

Homestead Issues

Break

Texas Forum Business Discussion

Consulting with and Planning for an Aging Population
The number of older Americans is greater than ever, and the population’s median age is projected to continue to increase. Consequently, attorneys will likely consult with greater numbers of older Americans. This presentation will help attorneys learn how to navigate questions of capacity, gain insight into how to counsel aging clients with unique challenges, and better prepare solutions for clients’ futures, including the feasibility of accessing public benefits such as Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

Lunch & Presentation by Cadence Bank: 21 Ways to Draft Trusts to Avoid Trust Administration Issues

Lunch is included with tuition.

Can Medicaid Take My Client’s House?
A home is often the most valuable asset that a person owns, but what happens to that home if the owner requires Medicaid coverage? Is it true that Medicaid can take the home? We will discuss the federal and state rules relating to lifetime liens and estate recovery, so you can better assist clients in navigating questions of long-term care.

Ethical Considerations for Trusts & Estates Counsel
Trusts and estates attorneys navigate complex family dynamics, sensitive client disclosures, and high-stakes decisions—all of which demand a keen understanding of ethical boundaries. This one-hour CLE explores the core ethical challenges unique to estate planning and administration. Using the ABA Model Rules as a foundation, it will examine real-world scenarios involving client capacity, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and fiduciary duties. Attendees will leave with practical guidance and best practices for delivering diligent, ethical representation in a field where the attorney’s role often extends beyond just legal advice.

Break

Core Concepts in Estate Planning with Retirement Assets 
For many clients, their retirement savings represent a major portion of their wealth. Consequently, it is especially unfortunate that estate planning with retirement assets can be so fraught with complications. Planning with retirement assets has changed in a post-SECURE Act world, and understanding the impacts of the SECURE Act is critical to appropriately advise clients. In addition to unpacking some of the changes and unique planning opportunities presented by the SECURE Act, this presentation is intended to provide foundational background information regarding different types of retirement assets and explain and demystify the various terms and acronyms associated with retirement assets (e.g., RMDs, RBDs, EDBs, ghost lives).