Estate Planning

Minutes: January 8, 1998

Present: Mark Lehman, Steve Dixon, Tom Christensen, Gary Henrie, Karl Mangum, Kent Alderman, Cindy Crass. Minutes taken by Cindy Crass.

Mark called the meeting to order. Steve Dixon read the minutes of the prior meeting from those provided him for the Web site. The minutes were approved as read.

Kent Alderman mentioned that the next section meeting was 1/13 where Karen Thomas is to speak about determining competency. Mark asked about the mail announcements for the meeting and Kent said Amy at the Bar was going to get them out.

Kent revised the meeting dates for February to the 10th and for May to the 12th. Steve Dixon asked for handouts of the meeting on disc if possible for the Web site.

Tom mentioned that Steve Mikata of the AG's office is looking for experienced attorneys to represent indigent wards in guardianship proceedings. Steve says there are about 40-50 such proceedings a year. Mark suggested that request be put in writing to hand out at a meeting.

Mark reported that the Probate Code Amendments are SB75 with Lyle Hillyard as a sponsor. We are hoping John Valentine will sponsor in the House. The bill has been approved by the Legislative Committee of the Bar and is going to the Bar Commission. Both Steve Dixon and Tom Christensen have been interviewed by the press about the bill. We anticipate opposition from the life insurance industry.

Tom mentioned that Jerry Horowitz still requests we put through a curative ascertainable standards bill. Steve and Tom talked about a statue to lower the age for UGMA accounts to 18; however, more clients want over 21 than younger than 21 to be the standard.

Mark passed out the 12/97 version of the Uniform Principal and Income Act.

Steve talked about the Web site. He was hoping to have it up by the next meeting. Mike Osterloh is creating the page. We would like a separate page linked to the Bar page or a directory/announcements on the Bar page. We want the page to be autonomous enough so that we don't need to rely on the Bar to make changes and/or keep it up to date.

Getting members email addresses for speedier communication was discussed but no decision was made.

Steve suggested that on the page we keep all minutes of the Executive Committee, the CLE calendar, announcements, general information, the Section bylaws, a committee roster and brochures. Steve asked for Committee leaders to add to the page. Cindy is the head of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Mark is the head of Consumer Protection. Steve passed out a sample.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.