Law - Trust & Estate Planning

Programme structure and approach to learning:

The Diploma in Trust and Estate Planning is offered jointly by the Law Society of Ireland and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). The course has been designed by practitioners with specialist exposure to give a practical insight into key estate planning, legal and tax-based concerns for private clients in the area of trust and estates. The focus of the diploma course is to enable successful candidates to advise clients on all aspects of the creation of wills, the operation of trusts, associated tax implications, and overall estate planning for clients. Practical in its approach, this course provides participants with real-life situations that practitioners face, and it gives real solutions to problems encountered.



CPD

We have designed our courses to enable you to satisfy as much of your CPD requirement as possible. Time spent attending lectures and workshops in person or completing these via e-learning as part of your course can be claimed towards your annual CPD requirement. The number of hours of CPD that you may claim in relation to your diploma/certificate course will depend on the way in which you access each of the individual sessions. For further information, visit the CPD scheme and download the CPD booklet.



The Diploma Centre team will host our annual CPD conference in November 2024. This complimentary event is a dedicated professional development and solicitor wellbeing and client care and professional standards session. We will post an invitation on your Diploma Hub page later in the year.

Modules:

The Diploma in Trust and Estate Planning programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below:

Module 1: Course introduction

Lifetime and estate planning,

Basic legal principles,

Basic tax principles.



Module 2: Introduction to taxation issues

Application of tax principles,

CGT, income tax, stamp duty, CAT,

Double taxation agreements.



Module 3: Lifetime and estate planning

Lifetime gifting and passing of value on death,

Legal issues and tax implications of wealth planning structures,

Financial planning.



Module 4: Trust drafting

Requirements of a valid trust,

Classification of trusts,

Drafting an effective trust deed.



Module 5: Administration of trusts

Office of trustee and trustee powers,

Breach of trust,

Tax issues in trusts.



Module 6: Will drafting

Testamentary capacity,

Solicitors’ duty of care,

Assisted decision-making.



Module 7: Administration of estates

Applying for the grant,

Litigation,

Distribution of assets.



Workshops

Workshops are interactive sessions that focus on group problem-solving and are designed to revise all modules covered to date and to consolidate the student’s knowledge.



Workshop Title Date Time

1 Basic Tax Computations (including case study) 2 October 2024 10am-1:45pm

2 Lifetime Planning 12 October 2024 10am-1:30pm

3 Estate Planning 9 November 2024 10am-1:30pm

4 Trust Drafting 16 November 2024 10am-3:30pm

5 Administration of Trusts 7 December 2024 10am-2:30pm

6 Taxation of Trusts 11 January 2025 10am-1:30pm

7 Will Drafting 25 January 2025 10am-1:30pm

8 Taxation of Estates 8 February 2025 10am-1:30pm

9 Applying for the Grant / Duties of Personal Representatives 1 March 2025 10am-2:30pm

10 Estate Litigation / Applications / Pleadings 22 March 2025 10am-1:30pm

11 Exam Preparation workshop 5 April 2025 10am-5pm

Who should attend?

The course is intended primarily for persons who have practical experience in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, and the administration of estates within Ireland. In order to participate on the course, you must have relevant work experience of at least one year in the areas covered on the course and one or more of the following qualifications: solicitor, barrister, certified accountant, chartered accountant, associate or fellow of the Irish Taxation Institute, associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (Trustee Diploma), associate of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland (Diploma in Wealth Management), member of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives, or another professional qualification deemed equivalent by the Law Society and STEP.



To apply for the course, applicants should first apply for STEP Affiliate membership before registering for the course. Successful completion of the course provides a structured route to full membership of STEP and the use of the internationally recognised ‘registered trust and estate practitioner’ designation.



Please see STEP Ireland’s website (www.step.ie ) for full details of membership criteria.



We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified non-solicitors. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €335.

Application information:

The deadline to apply for this course is Friday 6th September 2024.



To apply for the course, applicants should first apply for STEP Affiliate membership before registering for the course. Successful completion of the course provides a structured route to full membership of STEP and the use of the internationally recognised ‘registered trust and estate practitioner’ designation.



Solicitors and trainees

- In order to apply for the course, solicitors and trainees must apply for Affiliate membership through STEP before being accepted on to the course. They can do so through the following link Apply for Affiliate Membership and clicking on the blue button under ‘Join Now’ that says ‘Apply'. As guidance, a list of accepted qualifications can be found in the appendix at the bottom of the form.



- Once approved as an Affiliate member of STEP, applicants can then enrol on to the Diploma course through the Law Society with proof of Affiliate membership of STEP and on completion of a Diploma Centre application form.



Other professionals

- In order to apply for the course, other professionals must apply for Affiliate membership through STEP before being accepted on to the course. They can do so through the following link Apply for Affiliate Membership and clicking on the blue button under ‘Join Now’ that says ‘Apply'. As guidance, a list of accepted qualifications can be found in the appendix at the bottom of the form.



- Once approved as an Affiliate member of STEP, applicants can then enrol on to the Diploma course through the Law Society with proof of Affiliate membership of STEP and on completion of a Diploma Centre application form .



To apply please email the following documents to diplomateam@lawsociety.ie:

- Proof of Affiliate membership of STEP

- A completed application form (see below)

- Your Curriculum Vitae

- A short cover letter setting our your relevant experience



Please note, for non-members this course is subject to a supplemental fee of €335 bringing the total course fee to €3,635. No fees are required prior to approval.

Delivery Method:

Live online lectures on Wednesday evenings, with occasional online lecture releases. Interactive onsite workshops on Saturdays. Lectures available to view on demand.



CPD Hours

The number of hours of CPD that you may claim in relation to this course will depend on the way in which you access each of the individual sessions. For further information and the booklet, see CPD scheme on our website.

Start Date: Saturday 21st September 2024 at 10:00 AM.