Register now for Estate Planning Basics! CLE Approved classes begin April 6th.

InterActive Legal Academy Basics Series

InterActive Legal Academy

Estate Planning Basics Series

CLE Approved*

InterActive Legal Academy is education by lawyers for lawyers. Theโ€ฏEstate Planning Basics Seriesโ€ฏoffered in April is an introduction to estate planning documents and concepts, with a focus on how property is transferred both at death and during lifetime. 

April 6 โ€“ May 1, 2026
1:00โ€“2:00 PM ET

Tues & Thurs: Live Online Instruction
Fri: Drafting Workshops Q&A

Canโ€™t wait until the next live session of the Estate Planning Basics Series?

What You’ll Learn

Course Syllabus

Week #1 – April 6-10

Session NameFacultyDescription
Optional Kick off Meeting
(April 6, 2026; 1pm ET) 
Teresa L. Bush, Esq.Administrative meeting in advance of the official program:
โ€ข Check connections
โ€ข Review Syllabus
โ€ข Answer any questions
What is Estate Planning?
(April 7, 2026; 1pm ET) 
Academy FacultyFoundations of estate planning:
โ€ข Planning for death and incapacity
โ€ข Probate, probate alternatives, and property transfer at death
โ€ข Core estate planning documents, including Wills, Revocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives
Transferring Property at Death
(April 9, 2026; 1pm ET)  
Academy FacultyMethods of Disposing of Property at Death: 
โ€ข Asset types and how they pass at death
โ€ข Outright and trust-based dispositions under Wills and trusts
โ€ข Common dispositive provisions, including fiduciaries, guardians, and contingencies
Week 1 Workshop
(April 10, 2026; 1pm ET) 
Academy FacultyWeek 1 concept review: 
โ€ข Case studies and sample language 
โ€ข Q&A 

Week #2 – April 12-17

Session NameFacultyDescription
Estate Planning During Lifetime Part 1:  Incapacity Planning
(April 14, 2026; 1pm ET) 
Academy FacultyPlanning for Incapacity:
โ€ข Use of Revocable Trusts during incapacity
โ€ข Delegation of authority through Powers of Attorney and guardianship
โ€ข Health Care Directives and medical decision-making
Estate Planning During Lifetime Part 2:  Lifetime Transfers
(April 16, 2026; 1pm ET)  
Academy FacultyLifetime Transfers and Gifting Strategies: 
โ€ข Funding Revocable Trusts
โ€ข Lifetime gifts to individuals, charities, and trusts
โ€ข Introductory use of Irrevocable Trusts for tax, Medicaid, and family planning
Week 2 Workshop
(April 17, 2026; 1pm ET) 
Academy FacultyWeek 2 concept review: 
โ€ข Case studies and sample language 
โ€ข Q&A 

Week #3 – April 20-25

Session NameFacultyDescription
Introduction to Planning with Trusts 
(April 21, 2026; 1pm ET)  
Academy FacultyTrust-Based Planning Techniques: 
โ€ข Reasons to use trusts instead of outright distributions
โ€ข Trust creation, administration, and distribution standards
โ€ข Beneficiary powers and trust termination
Estate Planning for Married Couples
(April 24, 2026; 1pm ET)   
Academy FacultyPlanning Considerations for Spouses: 
โ€ข Ownership of property between spouses
โ€ข Joint trusts, divorce, remarriage, and disinheritance issues
โ€ข Overview of tax consequences of spousal transfers
Week 3 Workshop
(April 25, 2026; 1pm ET)  
Academy FacultyWeek 3 concept review: 
โ€ข Case studies and sample language 
โ€ข Q&A 

Week #4 – April 27 – May 1

Session NameFacultyDescription
Estate Planning for Descendants
(April 28, 2026; 1pm ET) 
Teresa L. Bush, Esq.Planning for Children and Other Descendants: 
โ€ข Outright and trust-based gifts to descendants
โ€ข Planning for minor beneficiaries and guardianship
โ€ข Adjustments for lifetime gifts and special family circumstances
Specific Topis
(April 30, 2026; 1pm ET)  
Academy FacultyAdvanced and Special Planning Topics: 
โ€ข Planning for complex assets, including retirement benefits, businesses, and real estate
โ€ข Considerations for business owners and higher-net-worth clients
โ€ข Introductory estate tax planning concepts
Week 4 Workshop
(May 1, 2026; 1pm ET) 
Academy FacultyWeek 4 concept review: 
โ€ข Case studies and sample language 
โ€ข Q&A 

Faculty

Learn directly from respected practitioners and thought leaders in estate planning.

Jonathan G. Blattmachr, Esq., Editor in Chief and Co-Founder

Jonathan G. Blattmachr, JD
Editor in Chief and Co-Founder
InterActive Legal

Teresa L. Bush, Esq. Director of Education and Support Services, InterActive Legal

Teresa L. Bush, Esq.
Director of Education and Support Services
InterActive Legal

Elizabeth (Beth) Q. Boehmcke, Esq.
Advisor Emeritus
InterActive Legal

Michael L. Graham, Esq., Chairman and Co-Founder, InterActive Legal

Michael L. Graham, Esq.
Chairman and Co-Founder
InterActive Legal

Vanessa L. Kanaga, Esq.
InterActive Legal Advisor

Letha Sgritta McDowell, CELA
InterActive Legal Advisor

Rebecca Strub, Esq., Legal Content Manager, InterActive Legal

Rebecca Strub, Esq.
Legal Content Manager
InterActive Legal

Mary E. Vandenack, CAPยฎ
InterActive Legal Advisor

Deirdre Wheatley-Liss, Esq.
InterActive Legal Advisor

Tuition

Non-Subscriber: $699**
Subscriber: $399

Special Pricing for Law Students (proof required)

2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer, Elder Law College, Million Dollar Solution, and Personal Family Lawyer members receive a tuition discount.
Contact your organization for details.

**Non-subscribers who attend may apply a tuition credit toward a new InterActive Legal subscription
(if purchased within 60 days of the series end).

*CLE Approved

The Estate Planning Basics Series is approved for 12 hours of Florida CLE credit.

Certificates of attendance are provided.

Attendees outside Florida may apply for credit with their own state bar.

CLE credit may be available only for sessions attended live.

Want to Learn More about InterActive Legal Academy?

Our faculty and support staff will be happy to help you with inquiries, registration, information on future sessions, and questions about the material presented in the most recent sessions.

Email [email protected]

Support Hours are 8:30am โ€“ 5:30pm ET
Monday through Friday, except holidays

Trusted by Estate Planning Attorneys Nationwide


Hundreds of attorneys have turned to InterActive Legal Academy to sharpen their estate planning knowledge and strengthen their drafting skills. With instruction led by practicing attorneys and nationally recognized thought leaders, the Academy is where legal theory meets real-world practice.