Wills and Estates

• Semester: Spring 2026
• Course ID: 389N
• Credit Hours: 3
• Unique: 29629

Description

Taught by Christian Kelso.

A general survey of the law relating to family wealth transmission, taking into account transfers within the probate system, wills and intestate succession, and transfers outside it, with special attention to trusts.  Topics include the legal definition of family relationships; formalities required for execution and revocation of wills and other donative documents; mental capacity and volition; drafting pitfalls, post execution events, and difficulties of interpretation; legal protections offered to a decedent’s spouse and children; will substitutes such as life insurance, pension plans, and rights of survivorship; planning for incapacity and other changes in circumstances; obligations and powers of fiduciaries; rights of creditors and beneficiaries; trust creation, supervision, modification, duration, and termination; charitable purposes; and the impact of tax policy on estate planning.