DWI @ Trial

This year’s annual DWI/OWI defense program returns to the courtroom as we address elements in the trial process with considerations specific to DWI defense. Our discussions include all stages of trial including insights on voir dire from Indianapolis attorney John Tompkins, opening and closing statements from New Albany attorney Michael McDaniel as well as cross examination considerations from Evansville’s Conor O’Daniel.

Our program will also include an update on relevant and recent statutory cases from our program chair Mark Foster and an examination on how to effectively use an investigator with Noblesville criminal defense attorney Larry Hansen and noted legal investigator Marty Perkins.

Anyone who practices in the area of DWI defense will greatly benefit from this seminar.

DWI at Trial, March 29, 2012
6 CLE – Live In-Person, Live Group Webcasts & Live Individual Webcast Available

Live In-Person Seminar – Click Here
ICLEF Conference Facility, 230 E. Ohio St., 5th Floor, Indianapolis, IN  46204

Live Group Webcasts - Click Here
• DeFur Voran - Muncie – view map
• Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP - Valparaiso – view map
  Note: Central Time Zone

Live Individual Webcast - Click Here
From your home or office computer with a high speed internet connection

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ICLEF Law Tips: Probate

Welcome to ICLEF.org. Below is the fourth installment of our newest blog ICLEF Law Tips. Written on a weekly basis by Nancy Hurley, you will find all sorts of gems pulled from some of our most recent CLE seminars. Please visit us a weekly basis to find new legal blogs and CLE seminars from ICLEF. To read all of our Legal Tips blogs Click Here.

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Our topic for “Law Tips” this week is “Probate.” Staying on top of the latest developments in this area and keeping your focus on the outcome of every action can be a challenge.  ICLEF seminars from the past year presented volumes of potential advice on the subject.  But, after all, I want to keep these Law Tips brief yet bountiful. Therefore, this week’s blog draws wisdom from three of the 2011 CLE programs: “Probate Litigation,” “Year In Review” and “120 Hot Tips in Estate Practice.”  Following are five tips each from four faculty members that offer avenues to lead you in the right direction on a future probate issue.

During his ICLEF presentation on “Probate Mediation Tips” Michael P. Bishop, Cohen, Garelick & Glazier, Indianapolis, makes these suggestions on how a prudent lawyer could “Be Creative:”

1.Consider alternative forms of asset transfers

2.Consider the tax ramifications of all decisions

and modify proposals according

3.Consider dividing life estate and remainder

interest in real property to promote resolution

4.Consider mediation/arbitration for future disputes regarding

enforcement or property distribution

5.Consider the Mediator’s Proposal

 

“5 Ways to Discourage Probate Litigation” are practical reminders across the board for lawyers and clients from Jarrell Hammond, Lewis Wagner LLP, Indianapolis:

1. Don’t play favorites. If you have 4 kids, leave it to 4 kids equally. Fair does not

always mean equal, but equal will avoid litigation.

2. If you plan to play favorites. If you are going to leave your estate unequal, or in an

unusual manner, communicate it prior to death. Whether in a meeting or with some type of

writing. Let the interested parties know what you are going to do. Many will contests occur

because testators keep secret their intent, which is certainly their right, but it leaves the

beneficiaries to clean up the mess.

3. Lawyer as a witness. Philosophies on this topic differ, but if the drafter of the will is

also a witness, it is helpful to avoid litigation. No decent lawyer would prepare and witness a

Last Will and Testament if he/she couldn’t attest as to the sound mind of the testator.

4. Keep good notes. The file should reflect your estate planning meeting with the

testator. Have more than one meeting. Send the testator a draft to review and think about, rather

than sign after the first reading in the office.

5. Spend it all. No better way to avoid a will contest than to have spent all the money

before death.

 

John O’Drobinak, Crown Point, during his presentation on “What Have They Done For Us, Or To Us, In 2011!,”  shared “Things to Consider” that are drawn from his many years of probate practice.   Following is a selection of five of his alphabet of considerations:

O. It is of the utmost importance for you to become familiar with the new TOD law (I.C. 32-17-14-1, et seq.) by reading the law and attending seminars on this topic. It can have a major impact on your estate planning practice;

P. When drafting a Trust ALWAYS insert a provision stating what state’s law is to apply in administering and interpreting the Trust for all purposes;

Q. If you are making photocopies of a Will, DO NOT remove the staples. This could become an issue in a Will contest. Simply fold the cover and the pages over to make your copy;

R. Absolutely follow the rules about execution of a Will. Do not deviate from them;

S. If the services of an interpreter are needed, NEVER use a family member. Retain the services of a disinterested third party at the expense of your Client;

 

To keep you current in probate case law, Robert W. York, Robert W. York & Associates, Indianapolis, Indiana, listed five significant 2011 cases that he advised lawyers to examine. (His discussion of these cases is available in the manual for the CLE program: “120 Hot Tips in Estate Practice,” December 20, 2011)

1. Avery v. Avery, 953 N.E. 2d 470 (Ind. 2011)

2. In re Edwardson Revocable Trust, 949 N.E.2d 851 (Ind. App. 201 I), transfer denied (Oct. 6,201 1)

3. In re Guardianship of J.Y., 942 N.E.2d 148 (Ind. App. 2011), reh’g denied, transfer denied.

4. In re Guardianship of Stalker, 953 N.E.2d 1094 (Ind. App. 2011

5. Scribner v. Gibbs, 953 N.E.2d 475 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011)

 

I hope you found a tip or two in this Probate Law Tip, at least a helpful reminder, that you will make use of in your practice.  Our appreciation to the faculty members for allowing us to share their words of wisdom. If you wish to consult further the written materials for the CLE programs mentioned above, the manuals are available by Clicking Here.  The video replays of two of these seminars are scheduled in various locations around Indiana during the months of January and February.  Consult the ICLEF calendar for a location near you by Clicking Here.

We welcome your discussion of these probate issues or anything ICLEF-related on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ICLEF.

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Comp. Admission for Veterans Nov. 11

ICLEF is proud to offer Complimentary Admission to all U.S. Military Veterans this Veterans Day, November 11, 2011. Complimentary Admission for Veterans is available for both of the ICLEF CLE seminars on November 11 – Worker’s Compensation and Advanced Real Estate. If you are a U.S. Military Veteran please call us at 317-637-9102 to set up your complimentary admission registration.

Worker’s Compensation – 6 CLE
November 11, 2011, at the ICLEF Conference Facility, Indianapolis, IN
Available Live In-Person and as a Live Individual Webcast.
Click Here for additional details or to register for the Live In-Person Seminar.
Click Here for additional details or to register for the Live Individual Webcast Seminar.
Military Veterans call ICLEF – 317-637-9102.

Advanced Real Estate – 6 CLE / 1 E
November 10- 11, 2011, at the Blue Chip Hotel Casino Spa, Michigan City, IN
Live In-Person Only!
Click Here for additional details or to register for the Live In-Person Only! Seminar.
Military Veterans call ICLEF – 317-637-9102.

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ICLEF Searchable CD Library

Looking for a specific law related article or publication? Consider purchasing ICLEF e-publications or CD-ROM materials. All of our electonic materials are available as searchable PDF files. Individual titles are typically available for $25 per book (many of our “e-pubs” are available for immediate download). The most economical way to enhance your library is to consider purchasing all of our searchable e-publications for the period 2006 – 2010 (over 350 titles) on DVD-ROM for only $396. Do you only need our most current year of e-publications? Then consider the purchase of our complete 2010 library (75 titles) for $296.

Click Here for More Information or to Order.

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