Speaker: Jeffrey Miller, Sr. Policy Specialist | The legislature, through the mandatory language in the Estates Code, requires the use of less restrictive alternatives to guardianship if the same are available and appropriate. This course will present those alternatives and satisfies the requirement of mandatory education of judges who exercise probate jurisdiction.
Speakers: Hon. Brett Bray, Judge, Blanco County, Hon. Laura Walla, County Clerk, Blanco County, Jeffrey Tsunekawa, Director of Court Services, Office of Court Administration | This panel discussion will feature guardianship audits from the perspective of the county judge, the county clerk and the overseeing authority - the OCA
Speaker: Hon. Curtis Parrish, County Judge, Lubbock County | This session will feature a discussion on guardianships and the types of hearings one might encounter along with a demonstration of guardianship hearing(s)
Speaker: Professor Gerry Beyer, Governor E. Smith Regents Professor of Law, Texas Tech University School of Law | Join us for lunch and a video from Professor Beyer where he will discuss the basics of Texas wills, including the elements of a valid will, the impact of changes between the making of a will and death, and also revocation of wills.
Speaker: Ron Morgan, Director, Judicial Branch Certification Commission, Office of Court Administration | Numerous safeguards exist to protect the ward and the ward's assets in Texas guardianship cases. This session will discuss the current requirements with respect to criminal history background checks, fingerprinting, registration of guardianships and more.
Speaker: Robyn Harlin, County Attorney, Knox County | This session will provide a basic overview of current guardianship law, the roles of the guardian, ward and the court.
Speakers: Hon. Donece Gregory, County Clerk, Tyler County, Hon. Heide Easley, County Clerk, Victoria County | Money, Money, Money Putting funds into the registry or sending funds to the state? This session explores the when, how to and procedures for each.
Speaker: Jeffrey Tsunekawa, Director of Court Services, Office of Court Administration | How well do you guard your guardianship cases? This session is an update on the Guardianship Abuse, Fraud & Exploitation Deterrence Program (GAFEDP) designed to monitor and protect billions in assets in courts and guardianship cases.
Speakers: Hon. Barabara Steffek, County Clerk, Lavaca County, Hon. Karren Winter, County Clerk, Archer County, Hon. Karen McQueen, County Clerk, Brazos County | This panel discussion will address the common pleadings in probate and/or guardianship cases and the
Speakers: Hon. Robert Newsom, County judge, Hopkins County, Hon. Donece Gregory, County Clerk, Tyler County | A county judge and a county clerk discuss best practices for guardianships and probates.
Speaker: Professor Gerry Beyer, Governor E. Smith Regents Professor of Law, Texas Tech University School of Law | Join us for breakfast while enjoying a video from Professor Beyer where he shares insights on recent case law that may impact wills and probates.
Speaker: Hon. Curtis Parrish, County Judge, Lubbock County | This session will provide a brief overview of common prove-ups of probate pleadings and demonstration of each.
Speaker: Catherine L. Horvath, Judicial Information Analyst, Office of Court Administration | HB 2384 requires the OCA to annually collect and publish performance reports for each district court, statutory county court, statutory probate court, and county court. This session will explore and explain how to comply. Cathy Horvath, Judicial Information Analyst, OCA cathy.horvath@txcourt.gov
Speaker: Quincy Quinlan, Director of Health & Benefits Services, TAC | Special thanks to TAC's Health & Employee Benefits Pool for sponsoring today's luncheon.
Speaker: Sheri Woodfin, Court Consultant, Office of Court Administration | The OCA is responsible for collecting and maintaining certain information reported in connection with guardianships and mental health cases. This session will explain what to report and when.
Speakers: Nelda T. Cacciotti, Assistant Criminal DA - Chief of Mental Health, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office | This session will include a discussion of mental health commitment cases from unique perspectives from both the bench and prosecution.
Speakers: Hon. Jennifer Martin, County Clerk, Ector County, Hon. Karen McQueen, County Clerk, Brazos | This session provides an overview of proper citations and the various requirements, as well as step-by-step instructions for issuing citations for new and existing cases.
Speakers: Hon. Nancy Tanner, County Judge, Potter County, Hon. Julie Smith, County Clerk, Potter County | This session will include a discussion of mental health commitment cases from the perspective of a county judge and a county clerk with practical information on what to do and not to do, especially given the short timelines and when dealing with mental health and deprivation of liberties during the pendency of treatment.
Speakers: Hon. CJ Chasco, County/District Clerk, Swisher County, Hon. Karen Winter, County Clerk, Archer County, Hon. Jennifer Martin, County Clerk, Ector County | Come with questions! Members of the Clerks Education Committee for Probate Academy will be available to answer questions related to probate and guardianship issues faced in the county clerks' office. A note card is provided in your conference packet to submit your questions ahead of time as well.
Speaker: Professor Brian Shannon, Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor, Texas Tech University School of Law |This session will discuss the current state of mental health laws, including selected issues involving civil commitments, medication hearings, criminal competency, and any legislative updates.
Speaker: Professor Gerry Beyer, Governor E. Smith Regents Professor of Law, Texas Tech University School of Law | Join us for breakfast while enjoying a video from Professor Beyer and a discussion of dealing with digital assets and the Texas Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.
Speaker: Claudia Gonzalez, Executive Diretor, Texas Guardianship Association | This session will explain the Texas Guardianship Association, its mission, and efforts to educate the public, families and volunteer guardians on ethics, standards and best practices related to court-appointed guardianships in Texas.
Speaker: Hon. Curtis Parrish, County Judge, Lubbock County, Hon. Julie Smith, County Clerk, Potter County | This session will provide a brief overview of mental health proceedings and common pleadings you might encounter and a demonstration of mental health hearing(s).