Wills and Trusts
This library guide seeks to assist law students in Wills and Trusts at NSU Shepard Broad College of Law.
Wills and Trusts Library Guide
This Wills and Trusts Library Guide seeks to help J.D. students in mastering course material by offering links to selected wills and trusts resources. These resources include, but are not limited to, case briefs, outlines, study aids, multimedia resources, practice multiple-choice questions and answers, and practice essay questions and answers.
Wills and Trusts Content
Black's Law Dictionary
For a definition of last will, please click here.
To search for a definition in Black's Law Dictionary on Westlaw, please click here.
Florida Probate Rules and Statutes
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Florida Probate Rules and Statutes, Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rules of Judicial Administration
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This latest edition of Florida Probate Rules and Statutes, Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rules of Judicial Administration is a handy go-to reference that every wills and estates practitioner should keep close at hand. It features the full text of the Florida Probate Rules, Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Rules of Judicial Administration, including 3-year cycle amendments, with the committee notes, rule histories, and statutory and rule references for each rule. It also includes critical blackletter law from the Florida Statutes and Constitution, including Title XLII, Estates and Trusts, and Chapter 198, Estate Taxes in their entirety, as well as Homestead and exemptions, critical statutes on investment by fiduciaries and financial institutions, the most relevant statutes on developmental disabilities and social and economic assistance, expertly selected statutes from Title XL, Real and Personal Property, and various civil procedure statutes.
Don't be without Florida Probate Rules and Statutes, Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rules of Judicial Administration, the convenient and critical reference you need every day for your wills and estates practice. Published by The Florida Bar and LexisNexis, it contains the high quality and expertise you have come to rely on and is fully up-to-date with the latest rules amendments and legislative changes.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9798341702233Publication Date: January 2, 2025
Florida Jurisprudence: Estate Planning and Probate
Estate Planning and Probate is available here on LexisNexis.
West Academic Study Aids
These class preparation resources below provide case briefs keyed to specific casebooks.
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High Court Summaries on Wills, Trusts, and Estates (Keyed to Dukeminier and Sitkoff, 10th ed.)
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High Court Case Summaries on Wills, Trusts, and Estates contain well-prepared briefs for each major case in Sitkoff and Dukeminier’s casebook on Wills, Trusts & Estates. High Court briefs are written to present the essential facts, issue, decision and rationale for each case in a clear, concise manner. While prepared briefs can never substitute for the insight gained by actually reading a case, these briefs will help readers to identify, understand, and absorb the core “take away” knowledge from each case. Moreover, these briefs are followed by a useful legal analysis, which provides extra tips and contextual background about each case, connecting the case to the broader concepts being developed throughout the casebook. This book also supplies case vocabulary, which defines new or unusual legal words found throughout the cases.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781642424065Publication Date: August 23, 2018 -
High Court Case Summaries on Estates and Trusts (Keyed to Sterk and Leslie, 7th ed.)
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This title contains briefs for each major case in Sterk and Leslie's casebook on Estates and Trusts. These briefs will help you identify, understand, and absorb the core knowledge points from each case. They are followed by legal analysis, providing contextual background about each case, and connecting the case to the broader concepts developed throughout the casebook. This title also supplies case vocabulary, with definitions of new or unusual legal words found throughout the cases.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9798892099240Publication Date: January 3, 2025
Aspen Learning Library
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Casenote Legal Briefs for Wills, Trusts, and Estates Keyed to Sitkoff and Dukeminier 11th ed.
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After your casebook, a Casenote Legal Brief is your most important reference source for the entire semester. Expert case studies and analyses and quicknote definitions of legal terms help you prepare for class discussion.
Here is why you need Casenote Legal Briefs to help you understand cases in your most difficult courses:
Each Casenote includes expert case summaries, which include the black letter law, facts, majority opinion, concurrences, and dissents, as well as analysis of the case.
There is a Casenote for you! With dozens of Casenote Legal Briefs, you can find the Casenote to work with your assigned casebook and give you the extra understanding of all cases
Casenotes in 1L subjects include a Quick Course Outline to help you understand the relationships between course topics.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781543846386Publication Date: June 30, 2022
Quimbee
Please click here to find case briefs keyed to specific casebooks.
LexisNexis
Please click here for a case brief bank.
Additional Resources
West Academic Study Aids
These study aids below are intended to provide content about wills and trusts.
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A Short and Happy Guide to the Rule: The Little Book on Perpetuities, 2nd ed.
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Most students view the Rule against Perpetuities as the most difficult rule in law school. Moreover, the Rule is still covered on MBE for Property and MEE for Wills and Trusts and yet few student-centered resources exist. The Little Book on Perpetuities fills this gap. An ideal subject for self-study, this guide covers all key parts of the Rule, including problems for self-testing. It presents the Rule in its historical context but in a fun, engaging, and accessible way that is simple and clear for students to use. It can be used for Property classes, as well as Wills & Trusts and can supplement a casebook or be used as a separate, self-continued unit. Coverage includes: the common-law Rule and all the famous classics traps; modern statutory reforms, including the new generations-based rule by the Restatement Third of Property; recent efforts by some states to abolish the Rule; and the history and policies of the Rule.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781647085148Publication Date: September 29, 2021 -
Quick Review of Wills, Trusts, and Estates, 6th ed.
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This book provides an outline and analysis of Wills, Trusts, and Estates, in a convenient format both for class preparation and studying for exams. It is a clear and concise explanation of legal concepts and terms, the rationale and inter-relation of various principles, and provides hints for analysis, strategies for evaluation, and study tips. Topics covered include intestacy, will execution formalities and contest, revocation, will contracts, will substitutes, construction and interpretation, restrictions on disinheritance, trust creation and operation, fiduciary administration, powers of appointment, future interests, the Rule Against Perpetuities, and planning for incapacity. It is particularly useful in cutting through the fog of future interests, and making sense of the many ancient doctrines that befuddle students and inform modern practice. This title also includes self-testing, review questions, and detailed explanations.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781684675432Publication Date: September 16, 2019 -
Wills and Trusts in a Nutshell, 6th ed.
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The sixth edition of this book updates laws affecting intestate succession, wills, guardianships, and trusts. It introduces wills and trust terminology to the lay audience and summarizes the law included in the Uniform Probate Code, Uniform Trust Code, Uniform Principal and Income Act, Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act, Uniform Prudent Investor Act, and the Restatement of Trusts. To illustrate legal issues this book utilizes problems arising from celebrity peccadilloes and well-known deaths, such as those of Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Prince, and the mother/daughter team of Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. The book can be adopted to supplement a traditional wills and trusts class or as the sole text for a seminar. With clarified language, the book is also accessible to the general public interested in learning more about this complex topic.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781685611897Publication Date: October 20, 2022 -
Uniform Probate Code and Uniform Trust Code in a Nutshell, 7th ed.
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Authoritative coverage provides detailed explanation of the provisions, definitions, and concepts of the UPC and the UTC. UPC topics covered include, e.g., probate jurisdiction of the courts; intestate succession; wills and donative transfers; probate of wills; and administration of estates. UTC topics include, e.g., creation, validity, modification, and termination of trusts; discretionary and revocable trusts; creditor's claims and spendthrift trusts; duties, powers and liability of trustees; and rights of persons dealing with trustees.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781647085797Publication Date: March 17, 2021 -
Introduction to Estate Planning in a Nutshell, 7th ed.
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This Nutshell presents an introduction to basic concepts and techniques of estate planning. Subjects covered include transfers of property at death by will or intestacy; inter vivos gifts; survivor interests; revocable and irrevocable trusts; community property; life insurance; retirement, disability and death benefits; charitable trusts; future interests; fiduciary administration; and federal estate and gift taxes.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781642425987Publication Date: March 11, 2019
LexisNexis Digital Library
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Understanding Trusts and Estates, 7th ed.
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This new edition of Understanding Trusts and Estates retains the style and clear language that have kept generations of students engaged as they explore this intriguing field. Updates include coverage of electronic wills, new uniform act treatment of the parent-child relationship and unmarried cohabitants, directed trusts and trust protectors, and the uniform power of appointment act. Examples, charts, cross-references among similar concepts, and frameworks for analyzing problem areas all combine to give students the tools to deepen their understanding. Examples throughout the book demonstrate how trusts and estates doctrines affect real people.
Although the book is designed primarily as a student supplement, some teachers have used it successfully as the primary text, supplemented by statutory materials, for both the basic course and for more specialized courses. Practicing attorneys may also find it useful if they are new to the subject or have been away from it for some time.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781531025618Publication Date: February 16, 2023
Aspen Learning Library
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Examples and Explanations for Wills, Trusts, and Estates
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A favorite classroom prep tool of successful students that is often recommended by professors, the Examples & Explanations (E&E) series provides an alternative perspective to help you understand your casebook and in-class lectures. Each E&E offers hypothetical questions complemented by detailed explanations that allow you to test your knowledge of the topics in your courses and compare your own analysis.
Here’s why you need an E&E to help you study throughout the semester:
Clear explanations of each class topic, in a conversational, funny style.
Features hypotheticals similar to those presented in class, with corresponding analysis so you can use them during the semester to test your understanding, and again at exam time to help you review.
It offers coverage that works with ALL the major casebooks, and suits any class on a given topic.
The Examples & Explanations series has been ranked the most popular study aid among law students because it is equally as helpful from the first day of class through the final exam.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781543846836Publication Date: September 7, 2022 -
Inside Wills and Trusts: What Matters and Why
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With dynamic learning features and visual aids, the Inside Series helps you make the most of your study time, throughout the semester and as you prepare for the final. Unlike heavily abridged treatises, the Inside Series is carefully written in a concise, straightforward style that clearly identifies the essential components of the law and how they fit together. You can quickly learn what is important and why. Overviews and Tables of Contents in each chapter act as a roadmap to guide you through topics, showing you how each relates to the larger legal framework. FAQs clarify points of law and help you avoid common mistakes and misconceptions. Sidebars give fascinating additional detail from legal history, policy, famous cases and more. The graphic design supports your visual learning, and features such as bolded key terms, summaries, and Connections help reinforce your understanding while giving you ample opportunity for self-review.
Surprisingly concise, visually compelling, the Inside Series is extremely useful throughout the semester to help you identify the essential components of the law and how they fit together.
Comprehensive coverage of the essential topics emphasizes what you need to know and why.
Clear, straightforward, informal writing explains every topic for you without over-simplifying the concepts.
Overviews and Tables of Contents in each chapter act as a roadmap to guide you through topics, showing you why each matters and how it fits into the larger framework of the law.
FAQs clarify points of law and help you avoid common mistakes and misconceptions.
Sidebars enrich the text with fascinating detail from legal history, policy, famous cases and more.
Bolded key terms, Connections and summaries reinforce your understanding and give you ample opportunity for self-review.
The overall graphical design of the series supports your visual learning.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781454827689Publication Date: March 27, 2012
Hornbooks
Hornbooks below provide an overview of wills and trusts.
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Wills, Trusts and Estates Including Taxation and Future Interests, 6th ed.
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A comprehensive one-volume treatise on the law of trusts and estates written by leading experts. Among the topics covered are intestate succession, wills, nonprobate mechanisms, trusts, fiduciary administration, and choice of law. The book includes the very latest hot topics including electronic wills, trust decanting, directed trusts, asset protection trusts, and planning for modern families. The book incorporates the most recent provisions of the Uniform Probate Code, the Uniform Trust Code, and the many other uniform laws relating to the donative transfer of wealth. The book also includes an overview of the federal transfer tax laws. An essential guide for students and practitioners.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781647088002Publication Date: May 24, 2021 -
Principles of Wills, Trusts and Estates, 2nd ed.
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This book introduces students to the federal gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer tax laws; grantor trust rules affecting the wealth disposition process; and the income tax rules applicable to estates and trusts. It covers recent cases and secondary literature and, reflecting the current trend toward globalization, it also includes a discussion of comparative law. It emphasizes the lawyer's role as drafter or estate planner and suggests ways to avoid problems that otherwise lead to litigation. It closely tracks the authors? more detailed hornbook, using the same section numbers for easy retrieval of information in the longer version.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9780314273574Publication Date: October 31, 2011 -
Trusts and Estates, 4th ed.
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The Fourth Edition of Concepts and Insights on Trusts and Estates makes complex doctrinal rules easier to understand by exploring the history and rationale behind those rules. The analysis is thorough, and focuses both on common law doctrines and statutory reforms—with an emphasis on the Uniform Probate Code and the Uniform Trust Code. Each substantive chapter closes with a set of exam-like problems designed to test understanding of the material included in the chapter. The authors also include thorough solutions to each of these problems. This is the only book in the field that combines thorough doctrinal analysis with more than 60 review problems, each with complete solutions.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781647087494Publication Date: September 8, 2021
Treatises
Treatises below provides an exposition of wills and trusts.
Bogert's The Law of Trusts and Trustees
Please click here for Bogert's The Law of Trusts and Trustees on Westlaw.
Page on Wills
Please click here for Page on Wills by Jeffrey A. Schoenblum on LexisNexis.
Florida Estate Planning on Westlaw
Please click here for Florida Estate Planning on Westlaw.
The Florida Bar: Administration of Trusts in Florida
Please click here for Administration of Trusts in Florida, which is a Florida Bar publication available on LexisNexis.
CALI Lessons on Wills and Trusts
The CALI Trusts and Estates Outline allows you to search for terms of art that correspond to topics you are studying to find suggestions for related CALI Lessons. The CALI Trusts and Estate Search lists CALI Lessons about intestacy, wills, and trusts.
Outlining Supplements from West Academic Study Aids
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Black Letter Outline on Wills, Trusts, and Future Interests, 4th ed.
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Black Letter Outlines are designed to help a law student recognize and understand the basic principles and issues of law covered in a law school course. Black Letter Outlines can be used both as a study aid when preparing for classes and as a review of the subject matter when studying for an examination. Each Black Letter Outline is written by experienced law school professors who are recognized national authorities in their subject area.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9780314281890Publication Date: December 20, 2012 -
Gilbert Law Summaries on Wills, 13th ed.
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This updated outline focuses on topics most commonly covered on Wills, Trusts, and Estates exams. These include intestate succession, wills formalities and interpretation, will revocation and revival, will challenges, family protections, and simultaneous death. Also succinctly explained are the subsidiary doctrines of incorporation by reference, pour-over wills, joint wills, contracts relating to wills, lapsed gifts, ademption, and exoneration of liens. Throughout, pointers are provided about fact patterns that students are likely to see on exams and how to address them, as well as things to watch out for.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781685611521Publication Date: June 10, 2024
Outlining Supplements from Aspen Learning Library
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Emanuel Law Outlines for Wills, Trusts, and Estates, 4th ed.
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The most trusted name in law school outlines, Emanuel Law Outlines support your class preparation, provide reference for your outline creation, and supply a comprehensive breakdown of topic matter for your entire study process. Created by Steven Emanuel, these course outlines have been relied on by generations of law students. Each title includes both capsule and detailed versions of the critical issues and key topics you must know to master the course. Also included are exam questions with model answers, an alpha-list of cases, and a cross reference table of cases for all of the leading casebooks.
Emanuel Law Outline Features:
#1 outline choice among law students
Comprehensive review of all major topics
Capsule summary of all topics
Cross-reference table of cases
Time-saving format
Great for exam prep.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781543817119Publication Date: December 30, 2019
Outlining Supplement from Quimbee
Please click here to find wills, trusts, and estates outline materials from Quimbee.
Multiple-Choice Practice Questions and Answers from West Academic Study Aids
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Exam Pro on Wills, Trusts, and Estates, 2nd ed.
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This new edition of Exam Pro contains eight sample tests that cover all of the material generally included in wills, trusts, and estates courses. One exam tests specifically on California law and the other seven cover Uniform Probate Code (UPC) and general common law principles. A detailed answer key explains why the correct answer is the best choice and why other choices are not. Mindful of the numerous variations in state probate law, the authors often provide information in the answer key about how different states might apply different principles to answer the questions. This addition results in a helpful guide to students who may not be focusing primarily on UPC law.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781647084370Publication Date: June 4, 2025
Multiple-Choice Practice Questions and Answers from LexisNexis Digital Library
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Questions and Answers: Wills, Trusts, and Estates, 4th ed.
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Questions & Answers: Torts offers a thorough review of torts that fits with all versions of a typical torts course. It provides an effective review of doctrinal material at relatively low cost in both time and money. The thorough index and table of contents enable users to easily locate any topic in the torts syllabus. An extended practice exam chapter, which does not announce which topics are covered, gives users the option of "hiding the ball" when testing themselves.
The principal technology of this book is the multiple choice question. Each one gives four alternative answers—and with no evasions like "all of the above" or "B and C only"—along with explanations that have been road-tested with torts students for utility and clarity. In recognition of bar exam and academic support considerations, the fifth edition has increased the percentage of questions that are multiple choice, while retaining short answers that give users a chance to put doctrine into their own words.
Some questions are relatively easy, and a few are relatively hard. Many questions are written as anecdotes with human characters to simulate the case method of instruction, while others ask about abstract points. Although core doctrine fills most of this book, it also includes jurisprudential material like economic analysis and policy questions. The index labels these jurisprudential questions as "theory/policy" for ease of identification.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781531024246Publication Date: December 20, 2023
Multiple-Choice Practice Questions and Answers from Aspen Learning Library
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Wills, Trusts, and Estates
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Practice makes perfect! Friedman’s Practice Series helps you develop the skills for spotting issues and preparing A+ answers for your next exam. Real laws school exams test your knowledge of the key concepts and rules with a collection of essay and multiple-choice questions. Set up to mirror actual exams, the series features long essay questions as well as some that are relatively short and medium-length, giving you great practice in the length and variation of questions on the final. Friedman’s is one of the only series to fully emulate complete essay examinations – they are as close to actual exam-questions that you can find. And as Friedman’s texts are compiled by professors who wrote the exams, you get sound advice as well as keen insight on what instructors look for in grading your answers.
Friedman’s Practice Series titles test your knowledge with real law school exams.
Test your knowledge of key concepts and rules with comprehensive essay and multiple-choice questions.
Practice questions of various length prepare you for any exam.
Experience actual exams!
Get sound advice from the professors who wrote the exams.
Find insight into what professors look for when grading.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781454827603Publication Date: July 7, 2010
Multiple-Choice Practice Questions and Answers from Quimbee
Please click here for wills, trusts, and estates multiple-choice practice exam questions and answers.
Essay Questions and Answers from West Academic Study Aids
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Gilbert Law Summaries on Wills, 13th ed.
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This updated outline focuses on topics most commonly covered on Wills, Trusts, and Estates exams. These include intestate succession, wills formalities and interpretation, will revocation and revival, will challenges, family protections, and simultaneous death. Also succinctly explained are the subsidiary doctrines of incorporation by reference, pour-over wills, joint wills, contracts relating to wills, lapsed gifts, ademption, and exoneration of liens. Throughout, pointers are provided about fact patterns that students are likely to see on exams and how to address them, as well as things to watch out for.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781685611521Publication Date: June 10, 2024
Essay Questions and Answers from Aspen Learning Library
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Wills, Trusts, and Estates
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Practice makes perfect! Friedman’s Practice Series helps you develop the skills for spotting issues and preparing A+ answers for your next exam. Real laws school exams test your knowledge of the key concepts and rules with a collection of essay and multiple-choice questions. Set up to mirror actual exams, the series features long essay questions as well as some that are relatively short and medium-length, giving you great practice in the length and variation of questions on the final. Friedman’s is one of the only series to fully emulate complete essay examinations – they are as close to actual exam-questions that you can find. And as Friedman’s texts are compiled by professors who wrote the exams, you get sound advice as well as keen insight on what instructors look for in grading your answers.
Friedman’s Practice Series titles test your knowledge with real law school exams.
Test your knowledge of key concepts and rules with comprehensive essay and multiple-choice questions.
Practice questions of various length prepare you for any exam.
Experience actual exams!
Get sound advice from the professors who wrote the exams.
Find insight into what professors look for when grading.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781454827603Publication Date: July 7, 2010
Essay Questions and Issue Spotting Content from Quimbee
Please click here for wills, trusts, and estates practice essays and related content.
Video Resources
Aspen Learning Library
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Wills, Trusts, and Estates: In Other Words (Video Series)
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The videos from the In Other Words series cover fundamental topics in law. Each video is written and presented by a law professor or legal practitioner. In these Wills, Trusts, and Estates lectures, Ray Chao gives an Introduction to Wills, Trusts, and Estates; Modification or Termination of Trusts; Trust Administration; Will Contests and Interpretation of Wills; Wills; and Will Substitutes. Sheldon Lyke explains Charitable Trusts; Execution of Wills; Express Private Trusts; Intestate Succession, and Revocation of Wills.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781543824087Publication Date: 2020
Quimbee
Please click here for a wills, trusts, and estates course exploring topics, including but not limited to, intestacy, wills, and trusts.
Audio Resources
West Academic Study Aids
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Law School Legends Audio on Wills and Trusts, 7th ed. by Professor Stanley M. Johanson condenses wills and trusts into one five hour lecture. Included are exam tips and hypotheticals to help you master the subject.Call Number: OnlinePublication Date: December 22, 2016
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Sum and Substance Audio on Wills and Trusts, 7th ed. by This audio lecture is designed to enhance your understanding of the topics covered in courses in wills, trusts, and estates. The discussion begins with intestate succession, that is, how a person’s property is distributed when he or she dies without a will, with special attention given to the issues that arise in determining whether a person qualifies as an heir. Attention then turns to wills, with coverage divided into sections dealing with the requirements of a valid will, changing circumstances after will execution, will revocation, will interpretation and construction, and will contests. The process of administering a decedent’s estate is covered next. Trusts are covered in detail starting with how trusts operate and why they are popular, the creation of trusts, trust administration, and trust enforcement. The audio lecture also covers related subjects such as disability planning, non-probate assets, the basics of estate planning, resulting and constructive trusts, and examination strategies.Call Number: OnlinePublication Date: January 3, 2025
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Office Hours on Trusts and Estates, 1st ed. by Gain the advantages of office hours with professors on your own schedule! The West Academic Office Hours series is a collection of short audio and video tracks that tackle some of the thorniest questions plaguing law students. The professors answer students’ most frequently asked office hour questions. With clear and easy-to-understand explanations, these professors will help you reach that “lightbulb” moment of comprehension, just as they have with their own students in their own offices. You now have virtual faculty explanations available at the click of a button! The Office Hours series features a variety of notable law faculty explaining these tough topics in new and thoughtful ways.Call Number: OnlinePublication Date: March 15, 2022
Aspen Learning Library
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Wills, Trusts, and Estates: In Other Words (Audio Series)
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The audio files from the In Other Words series cover fundamental topics in law. Each lecture is written and presented by a law professor or legal practitioner. In these Wills, Trusts, and Estates lectures, Ray Chao gives an Introduction to Wills, Trusts, and Estates; Modification or Termination of Trusts; Trust Administration; Will Contests and Interpretation of Wills; Wills; and Will Substitutes. Sheldon Lyke explains Charitable Trusts; Execution of Wills; Express Private Trusts; Intestate Succession, and Revocation of Wills.
Call Number: OnlineISBN: 9781543823875Publication Date: February 6, 2020
