Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 06/03/86
LAS208 19886-19945	LEC	3 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Probate
Emphasis on various ways in which property can be held and passed on. Requirements for valid wills and trusts. Steps involved in estate administration and appropriate forms to be used. Includes drafting basic wills and simple trusts. Prerequisites: LAS109 or permission of department chairperson.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
LAS208   19886-19945	Probate

1.	Identify the basic functions of the participants who play a role in the administration of a decedent's estate. (I)
2.	Describe the general requirements and tasks involved in estate administration. (II)
3.	Define and use selected estate administration terms. (III)
4.	Discuss critical issues that should be considered when commencing estate administration proceedings. (IV)
5.	Compare the various ways in which property can be held and passed on. (V)
6.	Compare the duties and liabilities of various types of personal representatives. (VI)
7.	Compare and analyze the procedures used for estate administration using: a) informal probate b) formal probate and c) supervised administration. (VII)
8.	Discuss the available forms of protection outside court and through court proceedings for minors and incapacitated persons. (VIII)
9.	Describe selected Arizona intestate succession statutes. (IX)
10.	Describe the legal requirements for the formation, modification, and revocation of wills, codicils, and trusts. (X)
11.	Draft a simple will and trust. (XI)
12.	Compare the use of various kinds of trusts and trust theories. (XII)
13.	Identify and analyze the rules of professional conduct pertinent to probate. (I, II, VI, VIII, X, XI, XII)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
LAS208   19886-19945	Probate

I. Roles and functions of participants in estate administration A. Personal representative B. Attorney C. Paralegal D. Court E. Beneficiaries F. Third parties II. Requirements and tasks involved in estate administration A. Notice to creditors B. Payments of claims C. Homestead allowances D. Appointment of personal representative E. Distribution and administration of assets F. Closure of estate III. Definitions of selected terms A. Testacy law B. Intestacy law C. Trusts D. Estate planning IV. Commencing estate administration A. Selection of court B. Selection of type of proceeding to be used C. Jurisdictional problems V. Holding and passing on of property A. Ways of holding property 1. Joint tenancy 2. In trust 3. Tenancy in common 4. Life estate 5. Community property B. Ways of passing on property 1. Wills 2. Intestate succession 3. Trusts 4. Gifts VI. Personal representatives A. Types of representatives B. Methods of appointment C. Responsibilities D. Liabilities VII. Estate administration procedure A. Intestate vs. testate proceedings B. Formal probate C. Informal probate D. Supervised administration VIII. Protections for minors and incapacitated persons A. Protection outside court B. Protection through court proceedings C. Advantages and disadvantages of both IX. Arizona intestate succession statutes A. Rights of spouse B. Rights of issue C. Rights of adopted and illegitimate children X. Requirements for valid wills, codicils, and trusts A. Wills and codicils 1. Formation 2. Modification 3. Revocation B. Trusts 1. Formation 2. Modification 3. Revocation XI. Drafting simple wills and trusts A. Selection of appropriate forms B. Use of appropriate language C. Analysis of data D. Client's objectives XII. Types of trusts and trust theories A. Active vs. passive trusts B. Charitable vs. private trusts C. Spendthrift trusts D. Intervivos trusts E. Revocable vs. irrevocable trusts F. Resulting trusts G. Constructive trusts

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