Education has always been a hallmark of Williams Allen Casey, LPA practice model.  We are incredibly passionate about sharing our insight and ideas with other professionals and those who are in need of planning for their family's future.

Over the years, we have developed a handful of different educational programs and workshops that can be crafted and customized to any audience.

We are pleased to offer the following educational programs for client appreciation events and for other professionals either in the legal or financial service fields.

For more information on planning an educational program for your clients or colleagues, please contact us at (216) 236-6480.

Estate Planning 101 
The term "Estate Planning" often gives the false impression of a battery of lengthy legal documents to benefit the super affluent and their families.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  Estate Planning refers to a written plan as to how financial assets a person owns are to be used for their care and well-being in the event of a mental incapacity, as well as how they are transferred to loved ones after death.  This program will identify what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will are, when they should be used, and what instructions should be included.  It will also explore the difference between a Simple Will, Complex Will, and Living Trust.  Finally, we will examine common issues to consider before selecting who will be a decision maker in each of these documents, as well as how often these documents should be updated.

Can You Trust Your Trust™ 
Many people have created Revocable Living Trusts for the purpose of avoiding probate and saving taxes.  Unfortunately, people often have a mistaken impression that the document itself automatically meets these objectives.  The reality is that few trusts actually avoid probate or save taxes.  In fact, having a living trust, in many circumstances necessitates both a probate administration and a trust administration, thus increasing costs and professional fees to wind down an estate.  To compound the problem, trusts that have not been updated to reflect tax law changes that went into effect in 2013 may also incur additional capital gains taxes on the death of the second spouse.  This program will identify each of these issues in more detail, what causes these problems, as well as strategies to solve each of these obstacles to ensure you can "trust your trust."

How to be an Effective Executor of a Loved One's Will
Being named as an executor of a loved one's will is not a responsibility that should be taken lightly.  This program will provide an overview of the typical process of winding down a will in the probate court, the executor's responsibilities, how to navigate through family conflicts in the estate settlement process, and what steps an executor can take before the death of a loved one to simplify the probate process.

How to be an Effective Trustee of a Loved One's Trust
Few people understand what a Living Trust is, let alone the first steps in winding down a trust after the death or disability of a loved one.  This program will provide an overview of what a living trust is, the steps in winding down a living trust, the challenges asset ownership creates for living trust-based estate plans, maintaining family harmony in the trust settlement process, and what steps a successor trustee can take before the death or disability of a loved one to simplify the settlement process.

Becoming a Beneficiary - Beating the 18 Month Trap™ 
Studies have shown that when a person experiences a sudden wealth event - such as receiving an inheritance - it is often lost within 18 months of being received, regardless of the size of the inheritance or the age of the beneficiary.  This program will explore the four common reasons beneficiaries lose their inheritance within 18 months and what strategies a beneficiary (or the person leaving the inheritance behind) can use to ensure they retain their inheritance for their long-term enjoyment.

Understanding Health Care Directives and Instructions
We have all heard about Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills - indeed many commentators suggest everyone should have both of these documents.  However, few people understand the legal ramifications of both documents.  This program will explore why you may not want to have a Living Will, what additional documents should always accompany a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will, and the 5 strategies to ensure your health care wishes are carried out if you are not able to communicate medical decisions.

Estate Planning for Same Gender Couples in the Era of Marriage Equality
In June 2015, marriage equality became the law of the land.  With this change also created a number of potential estate planning challenges for same-gender couples.  This program will explore the legal and tax implications of marriage equality as it relates to estate planning. Potential planning pitfalls for same gender couples will be identified, as well as strategies to overcome those pitfalls.