The two areas of study for this topic-specific Specialist Program are Wills, Trusts and Estates and Elder Law. A required elective further sharpens your understanding of Wills, Trusts and Estates Law.
Wills, Trusts and Estates
Whether drafting a will or helping administer a trust, attorneys appreciate the role of paralegals in estate planning and administration. Learn to assist people in creating wills that effectively deal with their assets after death as they proposed. Gain knowledge of estate planning to protect the property and money of people prior to their death. Acquire the skill to handle trusts, so the administration of funds from an estate are clearly pre-determined and executed. Learn to maneuver the probate process through the court system so wills, estates and trusts are implemented as designed.
Elder Law
As the population of the United States ages and the large number of Baby Boomers is entering retirement age, the need to help them protect their legal rights is becoming increasingly important. In fact their numbers are already beginning to stretch government and private services as never before. Learn to assist them in establishing and administrating wills and estates, accessing medical services and resolving healthcare and insurance matters. Help the older generation in issues relating to employment discrimination, Social Security litigation and grandparent rights. Elder law is not simple, but is certain to become one of the fastest growing areas of law. Paralegals with this specialized knowledge may well be in great demand.
Elective
Once you have begun this program, you will work with your instructor to determine which elective course fits best with your particular area of interest. You will choose one of the following electives: E-Discovery, Accounting and Tax Law for Paralegals, Legal Ethics, Laws of Evidence, Advanced Legal Research or Constitutional Law.