The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

This specialized three month course focuses on those issues that regularly arise in an elder law or estates practice. Paralegals who prepare durable powers of attorney, medical directives, and guardianships also face questions involving estate planning, asset management, and estate administration. Often the largest asset that must be managed is real estate. The average paralegal is versed in one or two of these areas, but must refer related issues out to other professionals in the firm. This unique program is designed to provide an education and provide a comprehensive background for paralegals in all the major areas of practice that comprise the rapidly growing field of elder law. Students who successfully complete this three month program will receive a Certificate of Specialization in Probate and Elder Law.

Textbooks: All textbooks are included in the tuition for this specialized certificate program.

Module 1: Wills Trusts and Estates (4 weeks)
This course provides a theoretical and practical understanding of the laws of inheritance and estate planning. Students prepare a will and trust, and learn the procedure for probate. Estate planning, the role of the probate courts, and basic inheritance issues are explored and discussed.

Module 2: Elder Law (4 weeks)
Elder Law presents paralegal students with a comprehensive theoretical and practical overview of the main areas of elder law, one of the fastest growing areas in the legal field. Elder Law is a fairly new innovation in law, with the first statutes written in the 1960's. Both the "black letter law" and the judicial decisions interpreting the law are studied. The various areas of the law that are crucial to elder law practice are studied in the context of an elder law practice: wills, estate planning, guardianship, real estate, health law, elder abuse and more. Important forms, crucial in the actual practice of elder law, are presented to the student for review and analysis.

Module 3: Real Estate Law (4 weeks)
This course explores the theory and history of real estate transactions. Students gain a working knowledge of contracts, deeds, mortgages and title reports. The student has the opportunity to handle a theoretical real estate transaction from beginning to end. Many paralegal professionals are gainfully employed in real estate offices where they supervise closings and financings. This course is also valuable for brokers, agents, managers and other real estate professionals.