Estate Planning public seminar

Estate lawyers Tim Tarver and Brendon Kerns have witnessed and worked many types of estate planning and legal situations; estates locked in probate, sibling rivalry and more. Both lawyers agree on one thing about estate planning though, start now. 

Understanding the use of wills, trusts and powers of attorney can be difficult for laymen on a regular day, let alone during the mourning process. 

Sheridan and Johnson County Estate lawyers have teamed up for the past 22 years to hold a free public seminar in order to help residents understand and navigate through estate planning. Due to COVID-19, the seminar was cancelled last year. But according to Tarver, they are going forward this year. This informative seminar will begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Sheridan High School Auditorium. 

Lawyers will speak on the “Estate Planning Tool Bag”, covering wills, trusts, powers of attorney, forms of ownership and much more. 

A representative from the HUB on Smith will also be present to talk on home health care options. Tarver told listeners of Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, it is much less stressful to figure out financials sooner rather than later when taking care of aging family members.   

The full schedule of the day’s seminar can be found below. 

9:00 – 10:00  The Estate Planning Tool Bag: Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Forms of Ownership, and Beneficiary Designations; Initial Considerations; and Planning for Asset Management and Health Care Decisions upon Incapacity/Infirmity – Sheryl Bunting and Christopher Sherwood

10:00 – 10:15  Refreshment Break

10:15 – 12:00 Planning for Long-Term Care Alternatives, Medicaid Planning, and Senior Living Options – Laurie Ross, Tim Tarver, and Carmen Rideout

12:00 – 1:15 Lunch Break (Lunch provided by sponsors) including a discussion from 12:30 –1:15 – “Self-help” and “Do-it-yourself” Estate Planning – Online Forms,

Beneficiary Designations, PODs, and TODs – Sheryl Bunting and Christopher Sherwood

1:15 – 1:45 Probate – What Is It and What Does It Cost? – Ben Kirven

1:45 – 2:00 Refreshment Break

2:00 – 2:30 Wills versus Trusts – When Is It Best to Avoid Probate? – Brendon Kerns
2:30 – 3:15 Common Errors in Estate Planning; Question and Answer Session for Audience Questions – Tim Tarver, Ben Kirven, Brendon Kerns, Sheryl Bunting, and Christopher Sherwood – Tim Tarver, Moderator