The complex rules of the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code (MUPC) and the Massachusetts Uniform Trust Code (MUTC) make it essential for practitioners to fully understand the ins and outs of the law and procedure. This comprehensive two-day review gives you a strong foundation in the complete administration of an estate. Trust and estate experts discuss key provisions of the MUPC and the MUTC and offer essential tips and key techniques. Learn about the entire estate administration process, from pre-probate considerations to allowance of the final account, with special emphasis on handling the modest estate. Hear expert advice on trust related issues. Get valuable forms, checklists, and pointers, as well as the chance to have all your questions answered. Be ready for your next probate client!
Course Content
Day One: Tuesday, May 13th, 20259:30 - 9:45 am - Welcome and Introduction
Krishna A. Butaney, Esq.,
Middlesex Probate and Family Court South, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Woburn
Mary H. Schmidt, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
9:45 - 10:15 am - Chronology of Estate Administration: Preliminary Matters; Managing Client Relationship/Educating the Personal Representative; Checklist Probate Manual
Heather A. Reid, Esq.,
Squillace & Associates, PC, Boston
10:15 - 11:30 am - Basics & Options to Open an Estate
Katelyn M. Lynch, Esq.,
Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
11:30 - 11:45 am - Break
11:45 - 12:30 pm - Will Contests & Other Objections
Ryan P. McManus, Esq.,
Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Lunch (on your own)
1:30 - 2:15 pm - Collection & Management of the Estate
Ryan J. Swartz, Esq.,
McLane Middleton, Woburn
2:15 - 2:45 pm - Sale of Real Estate
Catherine Olender Neijstrom, Esq.,
Gilmore, Rees & Carlson, PC, Wellesley
2:45 - 3:00 pm - Break
3:00 - 3:45 pm - Debts & Creditor Claims
Julie Braverman Bruno, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
3:45 - 4:15 pm - Spousal Elective Share
Lisa M. Rico, Esq.,
Rico, Murphy, Diamond & Bean LLP, Natick
4:15 - 4:30 pm - 'Ask the Experts' Q&A Session
Panel
Day Two: Wednesday May 14th, 2025
9:30 - 9:40 am - Welcome and Introduction
Krishna A. Butaney, Esq.,
Middlesex Probate and Family Court South, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Woburn
Mary H. Schmidt, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
9:40 - 10:40 am - Trusts - Testamentary and Interplay Between Trusts and Estates
Darian M. Butcher, Esq.,
Butcher Law LLC, Boston
10:40 - 11:15 am - Post-Mortem Planning
Jennifer T. Fleming, Esq.,
Prince Lobel Tye LLP, Boston
11:15 - 11:30 am - Break
11:30 - 12:30 pm - Taxation of the Estate
Mary H. Schmidt, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
Jennifer Z. Flanagan, Esq.,
Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP, Worcester
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Lunch (on your own)
1:30 - 2:15 pm - Final Distribution of the Estate; Options to Close; Probate Accounts
Karen L. Witherell, Esq.,
Bove Langa Witherell & Soiffer, Boston
2:15 - 3:00 pm - Probate Litigation
Hon. Edward F. Donnelly, Jr.,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Woburn
Marshall D. Senterfitt, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP, Boston
3:00 - 3:15 pm - Break
3:15 - 4:00 pm - Digital Assets and Estate Administration
Kristin N.G. Dzialo, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
4:00 - 4:30 pm - 'Ask the Experts' Q&A Session and Key Takeaways
Panel
Speaker(s)
CochairsKrishna A. Butaney, Esq.,
Middlesex Probate and Family Court South, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Woburn
Mary H. Schmidt, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
Faculty
Julie Braverman Bruno, Esq.,
Verrill Dana LLP, Boston
Darian M. Butcher, Esq.,
Butcher Law LLC, Boston
Pamela Casey-O'Brien,
Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
Hon. Edward F. Donnelly, Jr.,
Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.), Woburn
Kristin N.G. Dzialo, Esq.,
Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Jennifer Z. Flanagan, Esq.,
Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP, Worcester
Jennifer T. Fleming, Esq.,
Prince Lobel Tye LLP, Boston
Katelyn M. Lynch, Esq.,
Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Ryan P. McManus, Esq.,
Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Catherine Olender Neijstrom, Esq.,
Gilmore, Rees & Carlson, PC, Wellesley
Heather A. Reid, Esq.,
Squillace & Associates, PC, Boston
Lisa M. Rico, Esq.,
Rico, Murphy, Diamond & Bean LLP, Natick
Marshall D. Senterfitt, Esq.,
Holland & Knight LLP, Boston
Ryan J. Swartz, Esq.,
McLane Middleton, Woburn
Karen L. Witherell, Esq.,
Bove Langa Witherell & Soiffer, Boston
