LLM in Estate Planning
Our LLM in Estate Planning is designed for lawyers interested in developing an expertise in the estate planning arena. The program is available entirely online. This will enable students to tailor their academic schedules consistent with their other obligations, and conveniently participate in the program at home, the office, or even while commuting.
The degree provides lawyers the opportunity to become practice-ready in the estate planning arena. Courses will be taught by law professors and practicing estate planners so that students will develop both a firm theoretical foundation in the subject as well as a thorough understanding of how to apply what they have learned. Program graduates will be prepared for a variety of different career options, including but not limited to, work in law firms, wealth management concerns, financial planning groups, trust departments, insurance companies, and fund-raising divisions of universities and other non-profit organizations.
Requirements
Effective Fall 2020, new students are not being admitted to this program. Please contact the program directly for more information.
LLM in Estate Planning candidates must complete 30 credit hours in order to earn their degree. In addition to required courses, candidates will select elective courses in order to tailor their degree to their specific interests. To accommodate the diverse needs and experiences of degree candidates, the program may be pursued full time or part time. Most of our degree candidates complete the program within two years. Please read the Time Limits on Degree Completion Policy.
Students who matriculated prior to August 16, 2019, are subject to degree requirements in place when they first enrolled, provided they complete those requirements within the time limit for degree completion and do not interrupt their enrollment without formal approval. Students should consult their appropriate Center regarding their degree requirements.
Curriculum
Required Courses
- Estate Planning I (EPL 505, 2 Credits)
- Estate Planning II (EPL 507, 2 Credits)
- Estate Settlement & Post-Mortem Trust Administration (EPL 514, 2 Credits)
- Income Taxation of Estates and Trusts (EPL 515, 2 Credits)
- Wealth Transfer Taxation I (EPL 512, 2 Credits)
- Wealth Transfer Taxation II (EPL 513, 1 Credit)
Please review each course description to determine what prerequisites apply.
Elective Courses
- Asset Protection Planning (EPL 524, 2 Credits)
- Charitable Contributions (EPL 521, 2 Credits)
- Closely Held Businesses: Taxation & Succession Planning (EPL 526, 2 Credits)
- Estate Planning for Elderly or Disabled (EPL 532, 2 Credits)
- Estate Planning for Multinational Clients (EPL 535, 2 Credits)
- Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples (EPL 534, 2 Credits)
- Estate Planning for Young, Married Couples (EPL 533, 2 Credits)
- Estate Planning With Insurance Products (EPL 523, 1 Credit)
- Estate Planning With Retirement Plans (EPL 525, 2 Credits)
- Ethical Issues in Estate Planning (EPL 518, 2 Credits)
- Fiduciary Duties (EPL 516, 2 Credits)
- Income Taxation (EPL 470, 3 Credits)
- Independent Study in Estate Planning (EPL 596, 1-3 Credits)
- Personal Financial Planning (EPL 522, 2 Credits)
- Special Topics in Estate Planning (EPL 594, 1-2 Credits)
- State Inheritance and Estate Taxation (EPL 519, 1 Credits)
- Survey of Estates and Trusts (EPL 501, 2 Credits)
- Survey of Federal Income Tax (EPL 503, 2 Credits)
- Valuation Issues in Estate Planning (EPL 517, 2 Credits)