NOTE:  If you did not register for the original webinars, you will
need to register to be able to watch the recordings.  

2026

  • January 21, 2026
    Families and Legacies: Decisions, Decisions, and More Decisions
    Speaker:  Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist

    Do you know what decisions you have already made about the titling of your property that influence who receives it upon your death? Do you know what decisions Montana has made for you that determine who receives your property if you pass away without an estate plan? Many people are unaware of the decisions you have already made and the decisions Montana has made on your behalf that determine who will receive your property after you die. 

  • February 18, 2026
    To Quote Shakespeare to have a Trust or a Will..Aye, that is the Question
    Although revocable trusts have been in existence for many years, they have recently gained increased visibility. You may have read newspaper advertisements for free seminars on the benefits of a revocable trust, or perhaps you’ve seen television commercials suggesting that everyone should have one. A revocable trust can be an excellent tool for some types of estate planning. But it is not an appropriate choice for everyone.
  • March 11, 2026
    Avoiding Probate on your Assets to Save Money for your Beneficiaries
    The Montana Legislature has made available tools that allow you to avoid probate on most of your assets. You can avoid probate with payable on death designations (PODs), transfer on death registrations (TODs), a transfer on death deed (TODD) for real property, and a beneficiary designation for your vehicles and vessels. She will also explore the income tax impact when gifting or leaving assets as an inheritance. And what about taxes? She will enlighten you to the changes that took place at the first of the year. 

 

2023

  • June 21, 2023
    Income Tax Impact While Selling, Gifting, or Leaving Property as an Inheritance
    Speaker:  Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist

    There are some who say federal and state death taxes is the determining factor. You will also become aware of the meaning of the stepped-up basis on inherited property and carry-over basis on gifted property and the resulting tax impact.

  • May 24, 2023
    Selecting an Attorney in Montana to Develop an Estate Plan or Administer an Estate
    Speaker:  Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist
    When selecting an attorney to help develop an estate plan, you need to have one who is well-informed about Montana will and trust laws, and other legal tools. You want the attorney to develop an estate plan tailored to your needs, by considering your age, health, family, income, assets, goals, and other circumstances. If your goal is to find an attorney to help settle an estate or administer a probate, then look for one who is knowledgeable about the probate process and trust law in Montana. Attorneys have different areas of expertise This session will explore how to find an attorney and what questions you want to ask about developing a plan or settling an estate.
  • March 29, 2023
    Revocable and Testamentary Trusts: Which is Better?
    Speaker:  Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist

    Discover situations under which revocable and testamentary trusts can be useful estate planning tools.  Explore how parents can set up special needs trusts for minor children and adults with special needs.  Learn about the meaning of the various phrases often used in trusts.  Explore family circumstances for which a trust could be most beneficial. 

 

2022

  • June 8, 2022
    What’s New in ‘22?
    What changes did the Montana Legislature make that have an effect on estate planning?  What changes have occurred at the Federal level that you should know about?
  • May 11, 2022
    Avoiding Probate… Are You Sure You Want To Do That?
    Past Montana legislatures has passed laws that allow us to avoid a costly probate procedure on our assets after we pass away.   Learn how PODs, TODs and TODDs can be effective to save more money for your heirs.
  • April 6, 2022
    Is Your Will Worth the Paper It’s Written On? 

    In this webinar you will learn when a written will has control over the distribution of your property after you die and when the will isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.  Learn the difference in leaving property to my children by, “right of representation,” versus “equally.”  Discover how a separate listing of tangible personal property can assist your personal representative when distributing your emotionally laden items. Learn about a special program for Montanans that can be used by those 60 and over to write a will at no cost.

 

 

2021

  • April 14, 2021
    What You Can and Cannot Do with a Written Will  

    Learn when a written will works and when it does not.  Become aware of the basic provisions in a will. Discover how a separate listing of tangible personal property can assist your personal representative when distributing emotionally ladened items. Learn about a special program that can be used by those 60 and over to write a will at no cost.  Learn about the meaning of phrases in wills such as, “right of representation.”

  • May 12, 2021
    Using Montana Estate Planning Tools for Avoiding Probate
    Learn how beneficiary designation on your assets allow you to pass property to your heirs without probate and save your estate money.  Payable on Death (POD) designations can be placed on checking and savings accounts, and CDs at banks and credit unions.  Transfer on Death (TOD) registrations can be placed on stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.  Transfer on Death Deeds can be filed on real property.  Learn how these designations over-ride a written will.

  • June 9, 2021
    To Gift While Living or Make Bequests at Death—That is the question
    Should you give your property away while living or decide to wait until you die?  What are the potential tax consequences of your heirs selling your gifted property vs your property left as a bequest? Learn about the federal gift tax laws, carry-over versus step-up-in basis of property and more.

 

  • July 14, 2021
    Using Trusts to Accomplish a Variety of Estate Planning Goals 

    Discover the advantages and disadvantage of living, testamentary, and Clayton Election QTIP trusts of estate planning tools.  Learn about the meaning of types of phrases often used in trusts.  Explore family circumstances in which a trust could be beneficial.  Explore the tax situation with trusts.