The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is hosting the 2025 Estate Planning Forum in partnership with Tim O’Sullivan on Friday, June 13. The Forum, which is held every year, offers a free lunch and free Kansas continuing-education credits for attorneys, insurance agents, CPAs, and other professional advisors.
This year, our substantive topics will begin at 9:00 a.m. Attorneys seeking an hour of ethics CLE should plan to stay through the 3:00 p.m. session. Other professionals can plan to leave at 2:50. See below for more details!
Contact Joshua McCloud with any questions.
Agenda
8:30 – 9:00 Sign-in
9:00 – 9:50 Should simple wills be an endangered species?
Credits: CLE, CPE, Insurance CE, PACE
Presenter: Tim O’Sullivan
Tim will present his conviction that simple wills and joint revocable trusts are both frequently inadvisedly used as estate planning instruments for married couples. Instead of simple wills for married couples, Tim will analyze in detail his position that two “pour over” wills and a joint revocable trust are normally preferential to the two simple will format in marital situations where neither asset protection nor Medicaid planning are significant estate planning goals, and conversely, a joint revocable trust is typically inadvisable as the primary estate planning instrument in the majority of other situations. Drafting suggestions will be addressed in the presentation.
10:00 – 10:50 Kansas legislative developments
Credits: CLE, CPE, Insurance CE, PACE
Presenter: Joe Molina
Joe will cover the 2025 legislative session, focusing on key developments in state finance, the judicial branch, and notable legislation. Topics will include the state budget alongside significant tax reforms such as the adoption of a single-rate income tax, property tax reductions, and the proposed Freedom from Taxes Fund. In the judicial realm, Joe will discuss the proposed direct election of Kansas Supreme Court justices via SCR 1611, resources like “Your Kansas Judges,” and changes to judicial retirement age. Additionally, he will review an array of bills covering family law, probate and real estate, litigation, and other varied topics, including updates to LLC laws, child-support statutes, and election procedures.
11:00 – 11:50 Arbitration & mediation provisions in revocable trusts
Credits: CLE, CPE, Insurance CE, PACE
Presenter: Tim O’Sullivan
Tim will explore the enforceability of mediation and arbitration provisions in wills and revocable trusts, examining how courts and legislatures have addressed these alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. He will begin with a review of common-law approaches, comparing how various jurisdictions treat these provisions. Tim will then survey statutory frameworks, highlighting model legislation, applications of the Uniform Trust Code, and unique approaches in states like Washington, focusing on Kansas and Missouri’s treatment of ADR in trusts, particularly under K.S.A. 58a-205. The presentation will also weigh the benefits and drawbacks of mandatory ADR versus court resolution. Finally, he will offer practical drafting tips for attorneys.
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
Lunch will be provided by TOAST, courtesy of the Community Foundation. Attendees can choose one of the following lunch options when registering:
- Sandwich: A turkey sandwich with mayo and Gouda served on country bread. Sides: chips and a cup of fresh fruit.
- Salad: Mixed greens, chicken, and a lemon vinaigrette. Other dressings available on request.
Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian options are available.
1:00 – 1:50 If it’s broke, fix it: Methods for breaking or modifying irrevocable trusts and the tax consequences for doing so
Credits: CLE, CPE, Insurance CE, PACE
Presenter: Ryan D. Farley
Recent increases in the federal gift and estate tax exemptions have caused some prior planning to become obsolete and in some cases, lead to higher tax costs than originally contemplated. While there are options for fixing or terminating outdated irrevocable trusts, how you go about it may have different tax consequences. This presentation will look at options for modifying or terminating irrevocable trusts, the tax consequences for doing so, and alternatives for reducing transaction tax costs.
2:00 – 2:50 [UPDATED] Estate planning to minimize income taxation & the impact of the SECURE Act on retirement plans
Credits: CLE, CPE, Insurance CE, PACE
Presenter: Tim O’Sullivan, Ryan D. Farley
Ryan will summarize the final regulations implemented pursuant to SECURE 2.0, and review the planning considerations practitioners should be aware of under the new regulations. Additionally, the presentation will summarize planning opportunities for incorporating life insurance planning to replace inheritance lost through accelerated tax liability on inherited retirement assets. Tim will follow up with discussion of how clients can minimize the income tax burden associated with inherited assets using trusts, offering example provisions to this end.
3:00 – 3:50 Are you my client? Rule 1.13 Organization as client
Credits: CLE only (Ethics)
Presenter: Kathleen Selzler-Lippert
In the book Are You My Mother?, a baby bird is on a quest to find its mom. Often it is easy to answer the question, “Who is my client?” However, when your client is an organization, it is not an easy answer. Frequently the attorney who represents an organization must go on a quest, just like the baby bird, to identify who the client is, who the constituents are, and where duties, such as confidentiality, start or stop. This CLE will explore who the client is and other considerations when representing an organization.
Venue
The Estate Planning Forum will be hosted in the large conference room of The Foundry at Block22 in Pittsburg, 402 N. Broadway. The main entrance to The Foundry is located on 4th Street.
Continuing-education credits
This section includes important information about what continuing-education credits will be offered as part of the 2025 Estate Planning Forum.
Information for Lawyers
This year’s Estate Planning Forum has been approved for up to 6 hours of CLE, including 1 hour of ethics.
At the end of the Forum, you will be asked to complete a CLE affidavit, the bottom (pink) copy of which you should keep for your records. You will need to know your Kansas Supreme Court Registration Number to complete the affidavit. The Community Foundation will submit attendance to Kansas CLE by June 27.
Information for Insurance Professionals
The Kansas Department of Insurance has approved the morning sessions of the Estate Planning Forum for 3 hours of general CE credit. It has also approved the afternoon sessions (1:00 – 3:00) for 2 hours of general CE credit.
The Kansas Department of Insurance does not recognize partial CE credit for partial attendance of a CE-accredited event. You must attend at least 80% of the morning sessions (based on time) to receive the 3 hours of credit for the morning. Likewise, you must attend at least 80% of the afternoon sessions (based on time) to receive the 2 hours of credit for the afternoon.
The Community Foundation will report course-attendance information to the Kansas Department of Insurance by June 20.
Information for CPAs
The Estate Planning Forum has not been preapproved for CPE credits, and Kansas CPAs report their own continuing-education attendance to the Kansas Board of Accountancy.
CPAs seeking continuing-education credits should know the following:
- Learning objectives and content for each session are summarized in the descriptions above.
- There are no prerequisites or requirements for advance preparation for the Estate Planning Forum.
- Each session has a beginner or intermediate program level.
- Instruction will be delivered in person in a classroom setting.
- The Forum provides a recommended 5 hours of CPE credit.
- You must register for the Forum using the form below, by contacting Joshua McCloud, or by calling the Foundation at (620) 231-8897.
Information for other professionals
The Community Foundation has not sought or obtained preapproval for any other professional continuing-education credits. However, we can provide a PACE attendance certificate for holders of a CLU or ChFC designation.
Register for the 2025 Estate Planning Forum
Registrations for this even have closed. See you soon!
About our presenters
Tim O’Sullivan, JD, LLM
Timothy P. O’Sullivan is Senior Counsel with the Hinkle Law Firm in Wichita, Kansas, concentrating his practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate, and trust law, and taxation. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Louis University, a Juris Doctorate from Washburn University (with honors), and an L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. He was admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1975 and admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court in 1982.
Tim has served as President of the Executive Committee of the Real Estate, Probate & Trust and Tax Sections of the Kansas Bar Association, as well as the Kansas Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America© in Estate Planning and Elder Law and in Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® List in Estate Planning. Tim is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
He has also served as an adjunct professor in Estate Planning at Washburn University School of Law (1992-present), the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (1996-2000), and in the L.L.M. in Estate Planning program at the University of Miami (Florida) School of Law (1996-2000). Tim is one of the most frequent speakers on estate planning topics for the Kansas Bar Association.
Ryan D. Farley, JD
Ryan is a Member of Hinkle Law Firm LLC and has been part of its Estate Planning Group since joining the Firm in 2008. Before joining the Firm, Ryan served as a Research Attorney for the Kansas Court of Appeals, following his graduation from Washburn University School of Law.
Ryan regularly gives presentations to the community and professionals, including several presentations to the Wichita Bar Association, the Kansas CPA conference, and the Wichita Estate Planning Council covering topics such as estate planning basics, asset protection planning, tax law changes, and ethical considerations in estate planning.
In addition to serving on the Executive Committee of the Kansas Bar Association’s Real Estate, Probate, Trust and Estate’s committee, Ryan is a member of the Wichita and Kansas bars, the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in Estate Planning since 2020.
Joseph N. Molina III, JD
Joseph began serving as Director of Legislative and Access to Justice platforms. Prior to joining the KBA, he was Chief Legal Counsel for the Topeka Metropolitan Transit Authority, where his practice involved insurance subrogation, labor law, and employment law. He also previously served as an Assistant Attorney General, acting as the Director of the Kansas No-Call Act. Molina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics from Eastern Oregon University, along with a juris doctorate from the Washburn University School of Law. His primary responsibility is statewide advocacy for KBA issues.
Molina is married to his wife of 20 years, Malessa. He has two sons, Jonah (17) and Isaiah (14). He also has a hanai daughter, Vanessa, who has a young daughter named Alice. Molina is on the Board for Kansas Red Cross and a member of Topeka Sertoma. Molina is originally from Maui, Hawaii, having moved to the mainland for college in 1999.
Kathleen J. Selzler Lippert, JD
Kathleen J. Selzler Lippert, JD, is a graduate of Drake Law School who has dedicated her entire 30-year legal career to public service. She began her career as a prosecutor, initially for a drug task force, and later as an Assistant District Attorney in Shawnee County where she prosecuted felony domestic violence cases, including homicides. She then practiced administrative law for over a decade by serving in a variety of roles for the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, including Executive Director.
Since December 2019, Kathleen has served as a Deputy Disciplinary Administrator with the Office of the Disciplinary Administrator. She is a wife and mother of three young men who are now embarking on the adventures of adulthood.
Estate Planning Forum Course Materials
Community Foundation staff will distribute a book containing high-quality course materials to all attendees of the Estate Planning Forum. The book is available electronically below, and a physical copy will be available for Forum attendees upon request.
Kansas Legislative Research Department Summaries of Legislation
The following documents will prove helpful for the presentation on 2025 legislative developments by Joe Molina. These legislative summaries are prepared by the Kansas Legislative Research Department (KLRD) and are too long to include in the physical materials. Instead, you can access them here or on the KLRD website.