Catalog

Estate Planning Red Flags for General Practice Paralegals (N) - 06/10/2025

Estate planning isn’t just for estate planning paralegals. Real estate, business, and family law paralegals frequently encounter red flags that can delay transactions, derail deals, or lead to costly legal disputes—especially after a death, divorce, or business change. This cross-disciplinary session offers a practical guide to identifying estate-related issues before they become problems.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Recognize how property titling and transfer-on-death deeds impact probate.
• Spot common estate pitfalls in real estate closings, including trust and title conflicts.
• Understand business succession planning, operating agreements, and buy-sell clauses.
• Identify when inherited assets become marital property—or remain separate.
• Track key estate updates during divorce, including beneficiary designations and guardianship planning.

Whether you’re preparing deeds, reviewing prenups, or working with LLC records, this session equips general practice paralegals with the knowledge to support attorneys, protect clients, and catch estate planning issues early.

AAPI IS PROUD TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING DISTINGUISHED FACULTY FOR THIS EVENT

Barry Zimmer, the visionary founder of Zimmer Law Firm, established the practice in June 1993 with a mission to excel in Estate Planning, Estate Administration, and Business Succession Planning. With a commitment to demystifying the intricate realm of Estate Planning in our ever-evolving society, Barry dedicated himself to guiding clients through the complexities of the process while ensuring a minimal time investment on their part. The firm's philosophy revolves around purpose-driven planning, rejecting "canned" or pre-set solutions in favor of tailored strategies crafted to meet each client's unique needs.

 Debbie Slaughter concentrates her practice in Probate and Trust Administration. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Mount St. Joseph with a Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies and a minor in Business Management. She earned her Juris Doctor from Chase College of Law in 2006.  Debbie has more than 30 years of experience as a paralegal and lawyer in settling estates, is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association and has taught for more than 25 years as an adjunct professor at her alma mater. She served as the Law Director in her hometown of Cheviot, Ohio, where she was active in government and civic affairs for many years.

 Shelley Golde Dowell has focused her practice on estate planning and elder law since 2014. She assists her clients with Medicaid asset preservation planning, estate planning, probate, and trust administration. She began her law career as a real estate attorney. Before and during law school, Shelley operated a medical opinion firm. She is a trained mediator and utilizes that skill set in pro bono work within the community. Shelley was named to Louisville Business First’s 2017 list of people to know in Law, and she has taught elder law at the Brandeis School of Law. 

 Ellie Curran, earned her Juris Doctorate in 2021. During her time in law school, she not only served as the Secretary and Social Media Manager of the Student Bar Association but also assumed the pivotal role of Social Chair for the Environmental Law Society. Ellie has chosen to specialize in Estate Planning, channeling her expertise to navigate the intricate realm of legalities surrounding estates. She actively participates as a member of both the Cincinnati Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association, where she stays abreast of the latest legal developments.