For almost all estates, the living trust is the most basic and essential estate planning tool. Understanding the use and value of living trusts enables producers and advisors to participate in the full scope of a client's planning process.

This course provides an overview of estate planning with an emphasis on living trusts. The course evaluates when a client should implement a living trust, what the benefits to the client are of a living trust, and how the living trust actually works. Next, the course explains actual provisions of the living trust to enable the practitioner to review and explain this device for the benefit of his or her clients. 

Upon conclusion of this course, students will be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the basics of probate and guardianships
  
• explain the advantages of a living trust
  
• describe when a living trust should be used
  
• articulate the basic provisions of a living trust
  
• apply basic estate planning techniques beyond the living trust
  
• recognize when more sophisticated estate planning techniques may save the client tax dollars