Syllabus
Wills and Estates
LEGL 313
Tuesday & Thursday
12:00- 1:20p.m.
Kenneth J. Gamble
Erie County Courthouse
451-6070
kgamble@eriecountygov.org

Course Description: A course covering the preparation of wills and trusts, the administration of estates, tax consequences thereof and ethical issues regarding duties to the estate, personal representative and beneficiaries.

Textbook: Basic Wills. Trusts, and Estatesfor Paralegals by Jeffrey A. Helewitz

Special Assignments: Completing documents needed for the administration of an estate

Examinations: 2 objective examinations per semester with 1 or 2 essay questions possible

Class Attendance: University policy stipulates: Attendance at all classes and laboratory sessions.. .is expected of all students and all courses are conducted with this understanding. A student's grades are based upon the general quality of work performed in each course and by such factors as prompt completion of all assignments, papers and readings, by presence for all examinations. and by participation in class discussion. The faculty has no obligation to provide special consideration of any kind to students who are absent from classes or examinations unless in the judgment of the faculty members the reason for the absence warrants such consideration. Assignments and examinations missed are graded as failures. Class attendance can be mandated by a faculty member and can affect the grade given provided that students are notified through the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester. Students are advised that class attendance or nonattendance can have a substantial influence on the quality of performance and completion of assignments. in class participation. in laboratory work, in preparation for and success in examinations and in any other factors that may be used as criteria in determining the grades that will be received. Freshman who are absent from a particular course in excess of twice the number of credit hours assigned to that course may be dismissed from the course upon recommendation by the faculty member or the Dean of the student's division. Missing an 80 minute period is considered as one and one-half absences.

Evaluation Procedures: Grades are determined by averaging the individual grades received on each examination as well as the grade received for semester projects. Good attendance and participation will enhance a student's grade, but poor attendance will not lower the average grade of the student as determined above.

Grading: Each exam is worth 25% of your grade and will consist of objective questions from reading and class lectures and possibly 1 or 2 essays. The remaining 50% of your grade is determined by homework assignments and classroom participation.

Grading Policy:

A        90-100
B+      85-89
B        80-84

C+      75-79
C        70-74
D        60-69
E        59 & Below

Required Textbook: Basic Wills, Trusts, and Estates for Paralegals, Second Edition. by Jeffrey A. Helewitz, Aspen Law & Business, Aspen Publishers, Inc., 2002.