An intensive, broad-based course of study that guides you step-by-step through the
essentials of estate planning and administration, and leads to a certificate of completion*
OVERVIEW
The MCLE Estate Planning & Administration MasterClass helps you master the essential skills needed to bring your practice to the next level. Designed to be completed at your own pace within three years, the curriculum begins with a curated series of foundational programs taught online by some of the most skilled practitioners in Massachusetts, reinforces your knowledge with specially designed, interactive learning modules, and culminates in a capstone project where you pull together everything you've learned by outlining an estate plan and assembling the relevant documents. To complete your capstone, you're paired with an expert estate planner who mentors you throughout the experience, reviews your final project, and provides you with personalized, practical feedback.
This intensive course of study builds on MCLE programs and publications developed by more than 200 leaders of the estate planning bar in Massachusetts. Through your engagement in this program, you'll be able to:
- Deepen your knowledge and advance your skills with extensive training in estate planning and administration
- Receive practical resources and guidance
- Receive personalized, one-on-one feedback and mentoring from an expert practitioner
- Earn a certificate of completion* suitable for framing and a badge you can post to your firm website
- Enhance your credibility and increase your confidence in serving your clients
This program is rigorous. In the true spirit of master class-style training, it takes a serious commitment. But its benefits are many—your time and effort are rewarded with an unparalleled educational experience.
REQUIREMENTS
Foundational Programs
Complete a total of 66 hours of instruction by watching these six foundational MCLE BasicsPlus!® webcasts on the fundamentals of estate planning and administration:
- Estate Planning
- Estate, Gift & Generation-Skipping Tax
- Income Taxation of Estates & Trust
- Understanding & Using Trusts
- Will & Trust Drafting
- Probate Practice
Each webcast is accompanied by a self-test that must be successfully completed to satisfy the MCLE MasterClass requirement. Attendance at any of these programs prior to enrollment in the Estate Planning MasterClass— as reflected in MCLE's records—will count toward your requirements once you've completed the companion self-test.
Interactive Learning Modules
Complete the following six interactive training modules (a total of approximately six hours) to reinforce the fundamentals of estate planning and adminstration presented in the foundational programs.
- Engagement with Clients
- Planning for the Disposition of Property: Wills & Trusts
- Planning for Transfer Taxes
- Health & Incapacity Planning
- Probate Practice
- Selected Topics in Estate Planning
These modules are online and include learning objectives, video clips to reinforce key concepts, pop quizzes to check your understanding, and sample documents to illustrate the subjects being addressed.
Capstone Project
The MCLE Estate Planning MasterClass culminates with a capstone exercise requiring analysis of a hypothetical client matter for which you prepare an outline of an estate plan, address relevant issues, and assemble related documents.
Based on the provided hypothetical, you outline the strategic approach and structure of an estate plan. Drawing from the multitude of clauses and forms available to you as part of your OnlinePass subscription and lessons learned throughout the MasterClass, you assemble documents that fully address the client's present and future objectives, needs, contingencies, challenges, and problems—just like in practice.
Personalized Expert Feedback
When you have completed all other requirements and embark upon the capstone project, you are matched with an estate planning expert who is available to provide guidance as you progress through the final project. Once you submit your capstone project, MCLE will schedule an online meeting with your mentor so that you can receive direct, practical feedback on your strategic approach, structure, and assemblage of documents. You will also receive a model set of expertly prepared documents pertaining to the hypothetical fact pattern.
BENEFITS
- Extensive training. Assure your clients that you have received extensive training in estate planning and administration matters and distinguish yourself from other practitioners.
- Results-oriented learning. After completing the programs and modules, analyze a hypothetical fact pattern, prepare an estate plan, and assemble related documents so as to maximize your learning and demonstrate your skills.
- Personalized expert feedback. Receive one-on-one feedback throughout the capstone project from an experienced estate planning attorney. It's like having a mentor guide you—personally—to a deeper understanding of the concepts and techniques you need to know. A unique learning proposition!
- Model documents and essential forms to build your practice. Download the sample documents used in the learning modules to illustrate relevant subjects, and access over 1,000 other estate planning checklists and forms available through your MCLE OnlinePass® subscription. At the end of the program, receive a model set of expertly prepared documents pertaining to the capstone hypothetical.
- Certificate of completion and website badge. Obtain your certificate of completion, suitable for framing, and a badge that you can post to your website page. Both certificate and badge display the year in which you complete the program.
- Learn at your own pace. Complete your MCLE MasterClass within three years on the dates and times most convenient for you.
ENROLLMENT FEE
$895.00 plus an MCLE OnlinePass® subscription
POLICIES
Requirements: Complete the foundational programs and learning modules designated for the Estate Planning & Administration MasterClass and a final capstone project. Maintain an active subscription to the MCLE OnlinePass® throughout the course of study.
The MCLE Estate Planning MasterClass is fully online. Once enrolled, you'll receive a link to your personal transcript page where you track your progress and access each required component—the foundational programs, including the accompanying "Test What You've Learned" quizzes; the interactive learning modules; and the final capstone project, including the review session with your assigned mentor.
Record keeping: You can check your status at any time by signing into your account at www.mcle.org. There, you can view your transcript to identify your progress on each requirement toward successful completion of the MCLE Estate Planning MasterClass.
Foundational programs attended prior to MCLE MasterClass enrollment: Foundational programs you attended before signing up for the MCLE MasterClass count toward the course requirements if you successfully complete the companion self-test.
Time for completion of the program: You must complete all requirements within three years of the date you enroll in the class.
*Lawyer Advertising: The certificate provided reflects only completion of the called-for course of study. MCLE is a private organization, whose standards are not regulated by a state authority or the American Bar Association. MCLE does not certify the competence or qualifications of anyone who obtains the certificate of completion, nor does it suggest that those who obtain the certificate of completion may hold themselves out as "specialists" under Mass. R. Prof. C. 7.4(b) or as having received certification in estate planning.
Patricia M. Annino, Esq., Rimon, PC, Boston
Carol A. Anthony, Esq., Sarasota, FL
Robert L. Arone, Esq., Orsi Arone Rothenberg & Turner LLP, Needham Heights
Kelly A. Aylward, Esq., Lourie & Cutler, PC, Boston
Elizabeth J. Bailey, Esq., Kotin, Crabtree & Strong LLP, Boston
Maria C. Baler, Esq., Samuel, Sayward & Baler LLC, Dedham
Richard C. Barry, Jr., Esq., Fletcher Tilton, PC, Worcester
Heather A. Bartel, Esq., Squillace & Associates, PC, Boston
Thomas E. Bator, Esq., Pratt, Bator & Popov LLP, Boston
Luke C. Bean, Esq., Rico, Murphy, Diamond & Bean LLP, Natick
Brad Bedingfield, Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Meredeth A. Beers, Esq., Holland & Knight LLP, Boston
Thomas H. Belknap, Esq., Falmouth, ME
Tiffany M. Bentley, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
Brian D. Bixby, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
Thomas S. Blackburn, Esq., Fleet Boston Financial, Boston
John J. Bowe, Jr., Esq., John J. Bowe, Attorney at Law, P.C., Westwood
Thanda Fields Brassard, Esq., Fiduciary Trust Company, Law Department, Boston
Elizabeth A. Braudis, Esq., Foster, Dykema, Cabot & Partners, LLC, Waltham
Richard P. Breed, III, Esq., Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, PC, Boston
Nathan E. Bress, Esq., Pratt, Bator & Popov LLP, Boston
Kenneth P. Brier, Esq., Brier, Marandett & Rossetti LLP, Needham
Aimee Fukuchi Bryant, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Seth J. Buckley, Buckley Financial, Hingham
Darian M. Butcher, Esq., Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Stefanie D. Cantor, Esq., Foley Hoag LLP, Boston
Courtney N. Carr, Esq., Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, Boston
Yasmin Causer, Andover
Seunghee Cha, Esq., Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas LLP, Springfield
Heather B. Cheney, Esq., BNY Mellon Wealth Management, Boston
Natalie B. Choate, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Mark M. Christopher, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
John H. Clymer, Esq.
Clifford R. Cohen, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
Kimberly E. Cohen, Esq., Ropes & Gray LLP, Private Client Group, Boston
Jennifer Collins, Esq., Nixon Peabody LLP, Boston
Laurence G. Constable, Kiplin Capital, LLC, Concord
George C. Constant, Esq., Constant Law Group, PC, Lexington
Julia Satti Cosentino, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Cynthia M. Cox, Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Tracy A. Craig, Esq., Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP, Worcester
Hugh J. Crossland, Esq., Crossland & Crossland, PC, Dedham
Patience Crozier, Esq., GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, Boston
Lisa M. Cukier, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
Maureen E. Curran, Esq., Law Office of Maureen E. Curran, LLC, Lynnfield
George L. Cushing, Esq., McLane Middleton, Woburn
Leo J. Cushing, Esq., Cushing & Dolan, PC, Waltham
Patricia C. D'Agostino, Esq., Margolis & Bloom LLP, Wellesley
Karen P. D'Antuono, Esq., Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Christina S. Dawson, Esq., Fidelity, Dallas, TX
Dennis R. Delaney, Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Jessica A. Demmerly, Esq., Rubin and Rudman LLP, Boston
Nancy E. Dempze, Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Sheryl J. Dennis, Esq., Fields and Dennis LLP, Wellesley Hills
Brian J. DesRosiers, Esq., DesRosiers & Tierney LLC, Boston
Brenda S. Diana, Esq., Ropes & Gray LLP, Private Client Group, Boston
Hon. Edward F. Donnelly, Jr., Middlesex Probate and Family Court (Ret.), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cambridge
Nina T. Dow, Esq., Mountain, Dearborn & Whiting LLP, Worcester
Jeremiah W. Doyle, IV, Esq., BNY Mellon, Boston
Kristin N.G. Dzialo, Esq., Eckert Byrne LLC, Cambridge
Timothy S. Egan, Esq., Wellesley Hills
Kevin M. Ellis, Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Diana C. Espanola, Esq.
Jennifer S. Ewing, Esq., Ropes & Gray LLP, Boston
Allen J. Falke, Esq., Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP, Worcester
Charles Fayerweather, Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Jennifer Z. Flanagan, Esq., Vacovec, Mayotte & Singer LLP, Newton
Kevin M. Flatley, Esq., Citizens Bank of MA/Boston, Boston
Magda L. Fleckner, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Jennifer T. Fleming, Esq., Prince Lobel Tye LLP, Boston
Dianne L. Frade, Esq., Bartlett P.C., Boston
Marion R. Fremont-Smith, Esq., Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University, Cambridge
William N. Friedler, Esq., Ruberto, Israel & Weiner, PC, Boston
Jennifer F. Galvagna, Esq., U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Boston
Michael R. Garfield, Esq., Boston
Deborah L. Giambanco, Esq., Norwood
Ashley A. Gignac, Esq., Cushing & Dolan, PC, Waltham
Laura T. Godine, Esq., Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Boston
Andrew Mark Golden, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Robert Peter Goldman, Esq., Bob Goldman Law LLP, Salem
Johanna F. Goulding, Esq., Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Kate Granigan, MSW, LICSW, C-ASWCM, LifeCare Advocates, Newton
Stanley Greenwood, Jr., Esq., Department of Revenue, Legal Division, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
Kenneth L. Grinnell, Esq.
Martin Hall, Esq., Ropes & Gray LLP, Private Client Group, Boston
Ellen M. Harrington, Esq., Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster, Boston
William E. Hart, Esq., Bulkley, Richardson & Gelinas LLP, Hadley
Eric P. Hayes, Esq., Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston
Louise F. Herman, Esq., Jamaica Plain
Jeanne M. Hession, Esq., Braintree
Erin K. Higgins, Esq., Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP, Boston
Matthew R. Hillery, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Robert G. Holdway, Esq., Fiduciary Trust Company, Law Department, Boston
Gail E. Horowitz, Esq., Wade Horowitz LaPointe LLC, Brookline
Christopher A. Hynes, Esq., CFP®, Tax Law Solutions, LLC, San Juan, PR
Thomas P. Jalkut, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Richard B. James, Esq., Canton
Michelle B. Kalas, Esq., Riemer & Braunstein LLP, Boston
Joyce Kauffman, Esq., Kauffman Law & Mediation, Roslindale
Kristin M. Kelley, KLR, Private Client Services Group, Waltham
Laura Anne Kelly, Esq., McCarter & English LLP, Newark, NJ
William D. Kirchick, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Carol C. Klyman, Esq., Shatz, Schwartz, and Fentin, PC, Springfield
Tamara E. Kolz Griffin, Esq., Law Office of Tamara Kolz Griffin, Wayland
Colin M. Korzec, Esq., U.S. Trust, Bank of America, Private Wealth Management, Boston
Lisa Ann Landry, Esq., Landry Law, PLCC, Plainville
Melissa Langa, Esq., Bove & Langa, PC, Boston
Mark A. Leahy, Esq., Burke, Whittum & Leahy LLC, Hingham
Matthew J. Leonard, Esq., Rackemann, Sawyer & Brewster, Boston
Brian T. Liberis, Esq., Gilmore, Rees & Carlson, PC, Wellesley Hills
Jennifer M. Lo, Esq., Seegel Lipshutz Lo & Martin LLP, Wellesley Hills
Amy R. Lonergan, Esq., Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Alison E. Lothes, Esq., Gilmore, Rees & Carlson, PC, Wellesley Hills
Leiha Macauley, Esq., Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Ray D. Madoff, Esq., Boston College Law School, Newton Centre
Jennifer A. Maggiacomo, Esq., Norfolk County Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Canton
Kristin F. Magneson, Esq., Saint Clair, MI
Heather C. Mahoney, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Boston
Deborah J. Manus, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Harry S. Margolis, Esq., Margolis & Bloom LLP, Wellesley Hills
Karen B. Mariscal, Esq., Mariscal Special Needs Law, Wellesley
Ruth A. Mattson, Esq., Vacovec, Mayotte & Singer LLP, Newton
Allison M. McCarthy, Esq., Riemer & Braunstein LLP, Boston
Lisa A.H. McChesney, Esq., Goodwin Procter LLP, Boston
Susan K. McClements, Esq., Lexington
Karen L. McKenna, Esq., Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, PC, Boston
Ethan A. McKittrick, Esq., Loring, Wolcott, and Coolidge, LLC, Boston
Melissa Sampson McMorrow, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Christopher G. Mehne, Esq., Bowditch & Dewey LLP, Worcester
Joshua S. Miller, Esq., CFP®, TEP, Acadia Management Co., Boston
Laurel M. Millette, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP, Boston
Kristin A. Monaco, Esq., Nigro, Pettepit & Lucas LLP, Newburyport
Hon. Maureen H. Monks, Middlesex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Cambridge
Brian W. Monnich, Esq., Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, Boston
Janet Wilson Moore, Esq., Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP, Worcester
Evelyn V. Moreno, Esq., Nixon Peabody LLP, Boston
Hon. Elaine M. Moriarty, Suffolk County Probate and Family Court, Boston
Jennifer Welch Murray, Esq., Jennifer Welch Murray P.C., Hingham
Suma V. Nair, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Lisa M. Neeley, Esq., Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee LLP, Worcester
Catherine Olender Neijstrom, Esq., Gilmore, Rees & Carlson, PC, Wellesley
Andrea T. Nelson, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
Hon. Anthony R. Nesi, Bristol Probate and Family Court, (Ret.), Hanna & Nesi Professional Services, Mattapoisett
Edward Notis-McConarty, Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Alan S. Novick, Esq., Novick Law Offices, Naples, FL
Mark A. Nowak, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
Hon. Angela M. Ordoñez, Barnstable Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Barnstable
John C. Pastore, Jr., Integrated Financial Partners, Waltham
Evelyn J. Patsos, Esq., Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
William B. Perkins, Esq., Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Trust, LLC, Boston
Christopher D. Perry, Esq., The Northern Trust Company, Boston
Anna L. Pollard, LICSW, C-ASWCM, LifeCare Advocates, Newton Center
Patricia D. Popov, Esq., Pratt, Bator & Popov LLP, Boston
Jason J. Port, Esq., Fidelity Personal Trust Company, Merrimack, NH
Michelle M. Porter, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Todd Povlich, CFA, ASA, Managment Planning, Inc., New York, NY
Robert L. Quinan, Esq., Norwell
Robert L. Quinan, Jr., Esq., Office of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston
David S. Raymon, Esq., Burns & Levinson LLP, Boston
John M. Reed, Esq.
Susan L. Repetti, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Hanson S. Reynolds, Esq., Brookline
Chiquita Rice, AAMS, Edward Jones, Brookline
Lisa M. Rico, Esq., Rico, Murphy, Diamond & Bean LLP, Natick
Michael H. Riley, Esq., Wellesley Hills
Jeffrey W. Roberts, Esq., Robinson Donovan, PC, Springfield
Jeffrey W. Roberts, Esq., Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Boston
Andrew D. Rothstein, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Ralph J. Rotman, CLU, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Boston
Elliot Rotstein, CAP®, Management Planning, Inc., Boston
Charles E. Rounds, Jr., Esq., Suffolk University Law School, Boston
Frederick D. Royal, Esq., Western New England University School of Law, Springfield
Timothy J. Rupert, Northeastern University, Boston
Dani N. Ruran, Esq., Fletcher Tilton PC, Framingham
Kathleen M. Sablone, Esq., Boston Financial Management, Boston
Nancy B. Samiljan, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Judith A. Saxe, Esq., CIBC Private Wealth Management, Boston
Joanna E. Scannell, Esq., Norwood
Frank J. Scharaffa, Esq.
Mary H. Schmidt, Esq., Schmidt & Federico, PC, Boston
William H. Schmidt, Esq., Schmidt & Federico, PC, Boston
Amy Schnitzer, Esq., Bessemer Trust, Boston
David A. Schwartz, Esq., Law Office of David A. Schwartz, Stoughton
Heidi A. Seely, Esq., Day Pitney LLP, Boston
David Shannon, CCT Insurance Partners, Burlington
Katherine M. Sheehan, J.D., Boston Private, Boston
Vicki L. Shemin, Esq., Fields and Dennis LLP, Wellesley Hills
Colin O. Sherer, Esq., Burnett & Sherer LLC, Providence, RI
Samuel C. Sichko, Esq., Bowditch & Dewey LLP, Boston
Elizabeth H. Sillin, Esq., Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas LLP, Springfield
David L. Silvian, Esq., Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Michael J. Simolo, Esq., Robinson Donovan, PC, Springfield
Patricia Schatzlein Smock, Esq., Fiduciary Trust Company, Boston
Molly R. Soiffer, Esq., Bove & Langa, PC, Boston
Kurt F. Somerville, Esq., Hemenway & Barnes LLP, Boston
Scott E. Squillace, Esq., Squillace & Associates, PC, Boston
Craig A. Standish, Esq., Brown Advisory, Boston
Jon E. Steffensen, Esq., McLane Middleton, Boston
Helen H. Stewart, Esq.
Robert G. Stewart, Esq., Gloucester
Christopher H. Suh, Esq., Schmidt & Federico, PC, Boston
Timothy D. Sullivan, Esq., AndoverLaw, PC, Andover
Ryan J. Swartz, Esq., McLane Middleton, Woburn
Mark E. Swirbalus, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Jennifer D. Taddeo, Esq., Conn Kavanaugh Rosenthal Peisch & Ford LLP, Boston
James M. Tierney, Esq., DesRosiers & Tierney LLC, Duxbury
Anne Marie Towle, Esq., Athena Capital Advicors LLC, Lincoln
Rebecca Tunney, Esq., Goulston & Storrs, PC, Boston
Donna M. Turley, Esq., Turley LLC, Cambridge
Christopher A. Voukides, Esq., Day Pitney LLP, Boston
Amiel Z. Weinstock, Esq., AZW Law LLC, Brookline
Kevin J. Willis, Esq., Ropes & Gray LLP, Private Client Group, Boston
Ellen M. Winkler, Esq., Law Office of Ellen M. Winkler, Marblehead
Karen L. Witherell, Esq., Bove & Langa, PC, Boston
Michelle A. Yee, Esq., Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Salem
Raymond H. Young, Esq.
Peter F. Zupcofska, Esq., Fort Lauderdale, FL