Product Description

Estate Planning: MCLE BasicsPlus! gives practitioners a solid foundation in the skill set and tools necessary to establish a successful estate planning practice. This two-day program focuses on practical application of the law involved in planning for a modest estate, although it also introduces concepts that arise in larger or more complex estates. You get advice on how to prepare wills, trusts, health care proxies, and powers of attorney based on your client’s tax, financial, and family situation. You gain tips on how to conduct client meetings and how to navigate common ethical concerns in estate planning. You are also introduced to a variety of topics that are essential for every estate planner, including transfer tax and elder law issues. You leave this program with a solid grounding in estate planning and the ability to jump-start your practice. 

Agenda & Materials

• Day One: December 15th, 2025
• 9:30 - 9:35 am

  Welcome and Introduction

  Aimee Fukuchi Bryant, Esq., Fiduciary Trust Company , Boston
  Nikki Marie Sherwood, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP , Boston
  
• 9:35 - 11:45 am

  Introduction to Intestacy and Basic Estate Planning

  Kristin A. Monaco, Esq., Nigro, Pettepit & Lucas LLP , Newburyport
  Jennifer D. Taddeo, Esq., Estatewise Advisory LLC , Cambridge
  
• 11:45 - 12:00 pm

  Break
• 12:00 - 12:30 pm

  The Estate Planning Process

  Nikki Marie Sherwood, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP , Boston
  
• 12:30 - 1:30 pm

  Introduction to Transfer Taxes

  Kristin M. Kelley, KLR , Waltham
  Jennifer M. Lo, Esq., Birchgrove Law Collaborative LLC , Needham
  
• 1:30 - 2:30 pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 2:30 - 3:30 pm

  Introduction from Trusts

  Vaishali Goyal, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC , Boston
  Emily Berlin, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC , Boston
  
• 3:30 - 4:30 pm

  Marital Deduction Planning

  Aimee Fukuchi Bryant, Esq., Fiduciary Trust Company , Boston
  Laurel M. Millette, Esq., Transitions Law LLC , Concord
  
• Day Two: December 16th, 2025
• 9:30 - 10:30 am

  Planning for Retirement Benefits

  Heather B. Cheney, J.D., BNY Mellon Wealth Management , Boston
  
• 10:30 - 11:30 am

  Ethical Issues in Estate Planning

  Michael J. Rossi, Esq., Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP , Boston
  
• 11:30 - 11:45 am

  Break
• 11:45 - 12:45 pm

  Elder Law Issue Spotting

  Jessica A. Demmerly, Esq., Rubin Rudman LLP , Boston
  Sarah F. Hartline, Esq., Margolis Bloom & D'Agostino LLP , Wellesley Hills
  
• 12:45 - 1:30 pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30 - 2:30 pm

  Medicaid Planning

  Jessica A. Demmerly, Esq., Rubin Rudman LLP , Boston
  Sarah F. Hartline, Esq., Margolis Bloom & D'Agostino LLP , Wellesley Hills
  
• 2:30 - 3:15 pm

  Ask a Care Manager

  Jessica A. Demmerly, Esq., Rubin Rudman LLP , Boston
  Anna L. Pollard, Alder , Newton Center
  
• 3:15 - 3:30 pm

  Break
• 3:30 - 4:15 pm

  Post-Mortem Planning

  Paul Cathcart, Jr., Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP , Boston
  
• 4:15 - 4:20 pm

  Key Takeaways

  Aimee Fukuchi Bryant, Esq., Fiduciary Trust Company , Boston
  Nikki Marie Sherwood, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP , Boston
  
• 4:20 - 4:30 pm

  "Ask the Experts" Q&A Session and Key Takeaways

  Panel
  

Special Program Materials:

• A Practical Guide to Estate Planning in Massachusetts

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Faculty

Fees

• $265.50 - MCLE Sponsor Member
• $147.50 - New Lawyer
• $147.50 - Pending Admittee
• $147.50 - Law Student
• $147.50 - Paralegal
• $295.00 - All Others

Available FREE with an MCLE OnlinePass^® subscription.