Estate Planning Fundamentals (CPE Course)

CPE Credit: 6 hours

Course Type: Downloaded PDF materials with online test

Price (with PDF Textbook): $54

Course Description
There are many options for estate planning that can minimize taxes, while ensuring that assets are distributed in accordance with your specific wishes. These options are covered in detail in the Estate Planning Fundamentals course. It covers the essentials of wills, probate, living trusts, the pay-on-death option, gift taxes and estate taxes, as well as planning for personal incapacity and much more.

Author: Steven Bragg

Course Number: SK0003

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Your Estate Planning Goals
Chapter 2. Beneficiary Issues
Chapter 3. Children Issues
Chapter 4. Essentials of Wills
Chapter 5. Probate Issues
Chapter 6. Essentials of Living Trusts
Chapter 7. Types of Tenancy
Chapter 8. The Pay-on-Death Option
Chapter 9. Life Insurance Options
Chapter 10. Retirement Plans
Chapter 11. Estate Taxes
Chapter 12. Gift Taxes
Chapter 13. Trust Concepts
Chapter 14. Disclaimer Options
Chapter 15. Estate Planning for a Business
Chapter 16. Planning for Personal Incapacity
Chapter 17. Actions to Take Following a Death

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the issues that can impact your estate planning goals.

  • Specify the types of liquid assets.

  • Describe the clauses that can be included in a will.

  • Identify how the disinheritance concept is used.

  • Specify the rules associated with a 529 plan.

  • Identify the requirements for the creation of a will.

  • Recall the steps involved in the probate process.

  • Specify when the probate process can be useful.

  • Describe the structure and contents of a living trust.

  • Specify how a joint tenancy arrangement works.

  • Specify the problems with a joint tenancy arrangement.

  • Recall the advantages of the pay-on-death option.

  • Recall the best circumstances for purchasing life insurance.

  • Identify the different types of life insurance policies.

  • Recall the characteristics of the different types of IRA.

  • Recall how an estate is valued for estate tax purposes.

  • Specify the types of transactions that can trigger a gift tax.

  • Identify the rules relating to the gift tax exclusion.

  • Recall the nature of a present interest.

  • Specify the uses to which the different types of trusts can be put.

  • Identify the circumstances under which you might disclaim an inheritance.

  • Recall the IRS rules for including a family member in a family partnership.

  • Specify what triggers a springing power of attorney.

  • Identify the nature of any reports that a trustee might need to send to beneficiaries.

Level: Overview

Instructional Method: QAS Self-Study

NASBA Category: Specialized Knowledge

Prerequisites: None

Advance Preparation: None

Latest Review Date: September 2023

Program Registration Requirements: Click on "Purchase Course" near the top of this page to pay for and access the course. You will then be able to download the course as a PDF file, then take an on-line examination, and then download a certificate of completion if you pass the examination.

Program Refund Policy: For more information regarding administrative policies concerning complaints, refunds, and other matters, see our policies page.

AccountingTools, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

The NASBA sponsor identification number for Accountingtools, Inc. is 115881.

AccountingTools is an IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider. We are compliant with the requirements for continuing education providers (as described in sections 10.6 and 10.9 of the Department of Treasury’s Circular No. 230 and in other IRS guidance, forms, and instructions). Our IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider number is 72821.