SEMINAR TO FOCUS ON ESTATE PLANNING NEWS
By Rebekah Ray

HATTIESBURG - Registration is now open for the annual estate planning seminar, co-sponsored by The University of Southern Mississippi Estate Planning Council and the Southern Mississippi Estate Planning Council.

"Estate Planning for Professionals 2003" will be held at 8 a.m. on Dec. 2 at the Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center and will offer information and the opportunity to earn continuing education credits for estate-planning advisers. Early registration discounts are available through Nov. 14.

"This seminar will provide estate planning advisers with current tools and information to help them better serve their clients," said Ben Samel, planned giving officer for the USM Foundation. "The seminar fills up quickly, so it is advisable to register as soon as possible."

Topics for the day-long seminar include a review of current developments in asset protection, estate planning, charitable giving in wealth management, valuation case law update, income taxation of trusts and estates, ethics for attorneys and wealth preservation using life insurance.

Samel said presenters for the event are experts in their field and bring a vast array of experience and knowledge to the program.

Presenters include Jeff C. Bowman, tax attorney with Jackson and Jackson, PLLC; Walt T. Dallas, tax attorney with Barnes Broom Dallas and McLeod, PLLC; James A. Koerber, certified public accountant with Koerber Turner, PLLC; Marc C. Porter, tax attorney at Watkins Ludlam Winter and Stennis, P.A.; G. Windel Saffles, Jr., marketing consultant for New York Life Insurance Company; James H.C. Thomas, Jr., chancellor of the Tenth Judicial Chancery District; and J. William Williams, tax attorney.

Tim Ryan, executive director of The University of Southern Mississippi Foundation, will be the guest speaker during the lunch hour.

Attorneys, trust officers, financial planners, development officers, CPAs, chartered life underwriters or other professional estate planners may earn continuing education credits for the seminar. CLE/CEU/CLU credits of 6-8 hours are awarded through the state.

Registration fees, which include the cost of lunch, may be sent to the USM Foundation, Box 10026, Hattiesburg, MS 39406. Registration fees received prior to Nov. 14 will be $85 for council members and $95 for nonmembers. Fees received after the deadline will be $120, pending available seating.

For more information, contact Ben Samel at (601) 266-5481.

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