As we have done consistently since the  pandemic began two years ago, the Estate Planning &  Probate Section has continued to sponsor numerous CLE events on timely topics that have been very  well received by our members.

At  our  January  10,  2022,  webinar,  Laura  Kennedy  Bonander (Watson  Bonander  LLC)  and  Wade  Watson (Watson  Bonander LLC)  in  Atlanta  discussed  “Putting  the  Fun  in  Dysfunctional:  Perspectives   on   Fiduciary   Litigation,”  with invaluable advice. During our webinar on  February 9, 2022, Michael Smith (Smith Barid   LLC)   in   Savannah   presented “Workflow  Automation: Mindset  and  Methodology,”  and  recommended  various  ways  we could streamline our estate planning practices making them more efficient and profitable. Our Section was privileged to have Abbey Flaum (Cohen Pollock Merlin Turner, PC) in Atlanta speak at our March 9, 2022, webinar. Flaum’s topic was “I Do, But I Don’t: Marital Considerations in Estate Planning,” and she managed to make her presentation  both  educational  and  entertaining,  accompanied  by very helpful written materials.

We were excited to welcome Blake Melton (Synovus Family Office) in Columbus to our April 13, 2022, webinar where he discussed “Recent Developments in Fiduciary Law.” On April 21, 2022, our Section will offer members a complimentary two-hour CLE Probate Judges Panel webinar featuring Judge Christopher Ballar (Gwinnett County Probate Court), Judge Bedelia Hargrove (DeKalb County Probate  Court),  Judge  Kenya  Johnson  (Fulton  County  Probate Court), Judge Christina Peterson (Douglas County Probate Court), Judge Daisy Weeks-Marisko (Forsyth County Probate Court), and Judge Kelli Wolk  (Cobb County Probate Court). The Judges will discuss the new practices and guidelines they implemented during the pandemic and give us insights on how best to comply with court procedures 
going forward.

The  EP&P  Section  is  pleased  to  announce  that  we  will  resume breakfast meetings on May 11, 2022. Robert Port (Gaslowitz Frankel LLC) in Atlanta will discuss important ethical considerations for estate planners. Finally, our Section will host a celebratory dinner in early June to thank all the great speakers who have presented to our members and esteemed sponsors who have supported us during the past few years. This event has been a long-standing Section tradition that was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. We are more than delighted that it is on our calendar once again.