University of Baltimore School of Law
"Trusts & Estates" Course

Course Syllabus and Lecture Notes
Frederick R. Franke, Jr.

Lecture 1 - The Role of the Lawyer
Reading: Dukeminier and Johanson, Wills, Trusts, and Estates (hereinafter "Dukeminier"), Pages 59-70; Noble v. Bruce, 349 Md 730; Ferguson v. Cramer, 349 Md 760; ACTEC Commentaries: Reporters' Notes, Commentary on Rule 1.2 (Scope of representation), 1.6 (Confidentiality), 1.7 (Conflicts), and 1.14 (Disabilities). ACTEC Commentaries available online at www.actec.org: go to "Resources" under "ACTEC Commentaries" and select "Commentaries". [Please note, you can access this online and do not have to place an order. If an order form appears, you are in the wrong spot.]

Lecture 2 - Introduction to Estate Planning: Costs and Expenses
Reading: Dukeminier 3-10, 24-49; Estates and Trusts Art. § 1-101 (Definitions), §1-301 (Property Subject to Estates and Trusts Article), §2-206 (Fees), §7-601 through §7-603 (Compensation and Expenses) and §§8-103 through 8-105 (Creditors, etc.); Cunningham v. Cunningham, ____ Md. _______ (5/11/01).

Lecture 3 - Intestacy: The Basic Pattern, Simultaneous Death
Reading: Dukeminier 71-97; Estates and Trusts Art. Subtitle 2 of Title 1 (Determining Relationship) (except §§1-205 through 1-208 will be covered in Lecture 4); Subtitle 1 of Title 3 (Intestate Succession) Handout – Information Brochure from Register of Wills.

Lecture 4 - Transfers to Children, Reproductive Technology
Reading: Dukeminier 97-134; Estates and Trusts Article §§1-205 through 1-208; Board of Education v. Browning, 333 Md. 281 (1994); McGarvey v. State, 311 Md. 233 (1987).

Lecture 5 - Bars to Succession
Reading: Dukeminier 141-157; Estates and Trusts Article Subtitle 2 of Title 9 (Disclaimers); Ford v. Ford, 307 Md. 105 (1986); Internal Revenue Code §2518.

Lecture 6 - Wills: Capacity/Contest
Reading: Dukeminier 159-175; Estates and Trusts Art. §4-101; Estates and Trusts Art. §4-413; Sellers v. Qualls, 206 Md. 58 (1954); Nugent v. Wright, 277 Md. 614 (1976).

Lecture 7 - Wills: Undue Influence/Fraud
Reading: Dukeminier 175-222; In Re: Marks, 957 P.2d 235 (1998); ACTEC Commentaries 1.8 (Conflict of Interest/Prohibited Transactions).

Lecture 8 - Formalities of Wills
Reading: Dukeminier 223-262; Estates and Trusts Art. § 4-102; McGarvey v. McGarvey, 286 Md. 19 (1979).

Lecture 9 - Holographic Wills/Revocation of Wills
Reading: Dukeminier 262-300; Estates and Trusts Art. §§ 4-105 and 4-106; Safe Deposit & Trust Co. v. Thom, 117 Md. 154 (1912); Tilghman v. Bounds, 214 Md. 533 (1957).

Lecture 10 - Components of Will/Contract to Make Will
Reading: Dukeminier 301-329; Estates and Trusts Art. § 4-107; Hanson v. Urner, 206 Md. 324 (1954); Ledingham v. Bayless, 218 Md. 108 (1958).

Lecture 11 - Will Substitutes (Non-Probate Transfers)
Reading: Dukeminier 331-351; Maryland law related to accounts with beneficiaries: Financial Institutions, §1-204; Paine Webber v. East, _____ Md. _________ (3/14/01).

Lecture 12 - Revocable Trusts (Non-Probate Transfers)
Reading: Dukeminier 351-386; Estates and Trusts Art. §§4-411 and 4-412; Upman v. Clarke, _____ Md. _____ (June 6, 2000).

Lecture 13 - Powers of Attorney (Non-Probate Transfers)
Reading: Dukeminier 386-403; Estates and Trusts Art. §§13-601 through 13-603; King v. Bankerd, 303 Md. 98 (1985).

Lecture 14 - Health Care Directives
Reading: Dukeminier 403-408; Health–General Article, Subtitle 6 of Title 5; Estates and Trusts Art. Subtitle 5 of Title 4 (Maryland Anatomical Gift Act).

Lecture 15 - Will Interpretation
Reading: Dukeminier 409-438; Garner v. Garner, 167 Md. 423 (1934); Veditz v. Athey 239 Md. 435 (1964).

Lecture 16 - Classification of Legacies
Reading: Dukeminier 438-469; Estates and Trusts Art. §§4-403, 4-404, 4-405, and 4-406; 63 Op. Att'y Gen. 637 (1978); Chalkwater v. Dolly, 108 Md. App. 539 (1996).

Lecture 17 - Spousal Election
Reading: Dukeminier 471-507; Estates and Trusts Art. Subtitle 2 of Title 3 (Family Allowance and Statutory Share).

Lecture 18 - Spousal Election (continued)
Reading: Dukeminier 507-525; Knell v. Price (Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals), 77 Md. App. 331 (1988); 318 Md. 501 (1990).

Lecture 19 - Omitted Children
Reading: Dukeminier 525-551; Kaouris v. Kaouris, 324 Md. 687 (1991); Estates and Trusts Art. §§3-301, 3-302, and 3-303; Willoner v. Davis, 30 Md. App. 444 (1976).

Lecture 20 - Definition/Creation of Trusts
Reading: Dukeminier 553-597.

Lecture 21 - Creation of Trusts (continued)
Reading: Dukeminier 597-631.

Lecture 22 - Spendthrift Clauses; Modification and/or Termination of Trust
Reading: Dukeminier 631-664; Watterson v. Edgerly, 40 Md. App. 230 (1978); Kirkland v. Mercantile Safe Deposit & Trust Co., 218 Md. 17 (1958); In Re: Lane, 323 Md. 188 (1991).

Lecture 23 - Powers of Appointment
Reading: Dukeminier 665-707; Brendt v. State Central Collection Unit, 311 Md. 626 (1988); Bryan v. U.S., 286 Md. 176 (1979); Estates and Trusts Art. §§11-108.

Lecture 24 - Rule Against Perpetuities
Reading: Dukeminier 787-799, 829-858; Estates and Trusts Art. §§11-102.

Lecture 25 - Charitable Trusts
Reading: Dukeminier 859-901.

Lecture 26 - Fiduciary Obligation: Duty of Loyalty
Reading: Dukeminier 903-919; Board of Trustees v. City of Baltimore, 317 Md. 72 (1989) (only pages 72-88 and 102-110); Goldman v. Robin, 292 Md. 693 (1981); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Owrutsky, 322 Md. 334 (1991).

Lecture 27 - Trust Administration: Other Duties/Investment Powers
Reading: Dukeminier 919-962; Estates and Trusts Art. §§15-112 and 15-114. Maryland Nat'l Bank v. Cummins, 322 Md. 570 (1991); Jacob v. Davis, ____ Md. App. ________ (10/7/99).