Syllabus
Estate Planning
CFIN 205
Robert L. Mennell, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation)
Email: ProfMennell@aol.com
Phone: (651) 917-3882
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
The primary purpose of this course is to educate students in the area of estate planning although other topics are included. Students who successfully complete this course should fully comprehend transfer taxes (gift, estate, and generation-skipping taxes) and the various ways property passes to others after death. Most importantly, students should understand the various methods of holding and transferring title in order to explain them to clients.
TEACHING METHOD:
This class will be taught via online videos, homework and quizzes. Students should contact the instructor if they have any questions about the material covered. There will be quizzes each week, a midterm examinatino and a comprehensive final examination.
TEXTS:
Estate Planning for Financial Planners , 5 th
Edition =” Dalton ” (Required)
Michael A. Dalton and Thomas P. Langdon
Publisher: Money Education (Me™), 2006, ISBN#-10: 0-9748945-6-7
Chapters in Dalton contain the questions relevant to the assignment. In each chapter the Multiple
Choice questions are at the end of the chapter. The answers are available at the publisher’s website, http:// www.money-education.com
.
On the home page students can click on the text book title and that will bring them to information on that particular book. They will need to scroll down to view everything available.
The password for this course is: probate
Wills & Trusts , 3d Edition = “ W&T ” (Required)
Robert L. Mennell & Sherri L. Burr
Publisher: Thomson-West, 2007, ISBN#: 978-0-314-18013-1
(Skim for general understanding.)
Tools & Techniques of Estate Planning, 14 th
ed.
(Suggested)
Reading in this book is optional, but helpful.
(Skim Questions & Answers and References portions of each T&T chapter.)
Revised: July 23, 2010

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The university’s policy on cheating and plagiarism is adhered to. Students should realize that the material taught is essential for passing the CFP® Examination.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Prepare students to take and master the Estate Planning portion of the Certified Financial Planner examination, including the following subjects:
1.
CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and rules and procedures of the CFP Board;
2.
Incapacity planning including living wills, and powers of attorney;
3.
Financial ramifications of special circumstances such as divorce, terminal illness, job changes, and non-traditional families;
4.
Ways to title property such as Joint Tenancy With Right of Survivorship, Community
Property and Tenancies by the Entireties;
5.
Estate planning documents including wills, powers of attorney, and trusts;
6.
Types of trusts and trust payouts;
7.
Gift, estate, and generation skipping taxes;
8.
Strategies to reduce death taxes and achieve client goals;
9.
Ways to fund a college education including Qualified Tuition Programs.
GRADING:
Weight:
Midterm: 30% (100 multiple choice weighted .3 each)
Cumulative Final Exam: 70% (100 multiple choice weighted .7 each)
Quizzes: Bonus Points
One percentage point for each quiz with all correct or only one wrong.
Grading:
90% to 100% A
80% to 89.9% B
70% to 79.9% C
65% to 69.9% D
Below 65% F
Note: Students need to maintain at least a B average to earn our completion certificate.
Revised: July 23, 2010

Estate Planning - Online
CFIN 205
Pages See Questions Pages in
#1 Basic Concepts, Info pp. 1-182 Chap.
Oct. 18 Incapacity Planning, 1, 2, 3
1-17,
1, 2, 9,
36-88, 68, 69,
Intestacy
#2 Wills, Probate
Oct. 25 Administration
Chap.
4 & 8
507-516 73, 89
18-36, 49-60 70
91-115, 76, 77,
Trusts, Powers of pp. 183-344
Appointment
#3 Estate Tax: Basics,
Nov. 1 Calculation
Chap. 6
251-303 86, 87
167-218 74
#4 Marital Deduction
Nov. 8 Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
(Mid-Term Examination)
#5 Gifts; Disclaimers
Nov. 15 Gift Tax Marital Deduction,
Gift Splitting, Calculation,
Gifts to Minors, Education
#6 Valuation;
Nov. 22 Generation-Skipping Tax
Chap.
10, 11
Chap. 5
Chap. 13
345-440
117-166
184-190, 77, 81,
261-262
85
473-506
80, 82,
83
8, 71,
72, 83
#7 Chapter 14, Business Interests
Nov. 29
#8 Charitable Deduction
Dec. 6 Planning Techniques
Business Planning, Liquidity
Chap. 7,
9, 12
219-250, 74C,78,
305-344, 79, 84,
441-472 88
Revised: July 23, 2010