The Estate Planning & Probate Section could not have had a more auspicious beginning to this Bar season when we were honored to feature Honorable Kenya M. Johnson (Fulton County Probate
Court), at a webinar on June 8, 2021. Hon. Johnson gave an outstanding presentation during which she informed our members about all the great improvements and changes she implemented to make the Fulton County Probate Court more “user friendly” for both attorneys and the public. Hon. Johnson was joined by staff attorneys, Myles T. Braxton and Robert M. Cunningham, who updated us on estate and guardianship/conservatorship proceedings. Barbara J. Koll, Chief Clerk/Court Administrator/ Hearing Officer, also participated in answering questions. The advice and suggestions they all gave us was invaluable.

During our webinar on August 11, 2021, Mandy Merkel (Senior Resource Consulting) and Laura “Lolly” Ward (LMW Personal Financial Services) spoke on the plight of solo seniors and explained how we could help create a safety net for them. At our September 15, 2021 webinar, David P. Adams (Adams Capital LLC), and John W. Hackney (Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry)
discussed how to ensure successful valuations in Tax Court from their perspectives as an appraiser and a litigator. We were all delighted to welcome former EP&P Chair Nick R. Djuric (Djuric Spratt) to speak at our October 13, 2021, webinar where he enlightened our members on a very timely topic: “Estate
Planning for Digital Assets.” On November 10, 2021, Director and Philanthropic Counselor Alison O’Carroll (Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta), discussed how our members could strengthen their charitable gift planning practices and in so doing have a greater impact on their clients, the community, and themselves.

On October 27, 2021, our Section sponsored a special two-hour webinar, “Supplemental Needs Trusts: An Expert Panel on Drafting and Administration.” EP&P Treasurer Hamida Jackson-Little (Law Offices of H.J. Little, PC), moderated the panel discussion which featured Trust Director William H. Overman (HMS), President Teresa C. Whitton (Southeastern Trust), Vice President Shelly N. Donaldson (Cumberland Trust), and Trust Services Manager Anita Gardner (Bobby Dodd Institute). The panelists gave us excellent advice, tips, and suggestions on how best to draft and administer supplemental and special needs trusts. Their war stories not only helped to educate our members but made the program interesting and entertaining as well. Our Section is looking forward to ending 2021 on a high note when Kyle King (Hodges, McEachern & King) will give us a legislative update during our webinar scheduled for December 8, 2021.