The Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section is a leading national forum for lawyers, and currently has over 30,000 members. The Real Property Division focuses on legal aspects of property use, ownership, development, transfer, regulation, financing, taxation and disposal. The Trust and Estate Division focuses on all aspects of trusts, estate planning, employee benefits, insurance, and probate and trust litigation.
Upcoming RPTE Meetings and Announcements
Save the Date!
2010 RPTE Spring Symposia
May 6-7, 2010, Philadelphia, PA
Upcoming eCLE Teleconferences/Webcasts
Black, White, and Grae(gin): Borrowing to Pay Estate Taxes
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Negotiating Agreements in a Cross-Cultural Setting: When Yes Might Mean No
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - Details to follow
The Federal Trade Commission's Red Flag Rule
THE ABA IS YOUR ADVOCATE: Files Suit to Bar the Federal Trade Commission's Application of the Red Flags Rule to Lawyers
On August 27, 2009, the American Bar Association filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to enjoin the Federal Trade Commission's proposed application of its "Red Flags Rule" to lawyers. The Red Flags Rule mandates that "creditors" develop and implement plans to detect and respond to possible identity theft. As the ABA noted in its suit, imposition of the rule on the practicing bar would result in "significant burdens upon lawyers, particularly sole practitioners and those practicing in small firms, who comprise the majority of the lawyers in the United States." Read More
Recent Government Submissions and Reports
Trust and Estate
Estate and Gift Tax Committee
REG-119532-08 (Graduated Retained Interests)
Individual & Fiduciary Income Tax Committee
IRS Proposed Regulation 26 CFR 1.67-4, REG-128224-06 Regarding Fees of Trusts and Estates
Non-Tax Estate Planning Considerations Group
Revocable Trust Accounts: 12 CFR Part 330, RIN 3064-AD33
Business Planning Group
Comments on Alternate Valuation Proposed Regulations under § 20.2032-1(f)(1)
Income & Transfer Tax Planning Group
Comments to Notice 2008-32
Estate and Gift Tax Committee
American College of Trust and Estate Council
Charitable Planning and Organizations
Comments in response to the Internal Revenue Services notice of proposed rulemaking concerning Internal Revenue Code Sections 509 and 4943.
Membership Benefits
Committee Participation - Get Involved!
Continuing Legal Education
Up-to-Date Industry Information
For Law Students
Learn about Section benefits for law students
RPTE Law Student Writing Contest
For Young Lawyers
Become active in the social and substantive
activities of the Section
RPTE Fellows Program
The Diversity Committee
Find out about Section outreach programs and
diversity committee activities
New! - ABA's Economic Recovery Resources Web Portal
During this economic downturn, RPTE and the ABA are working to provide you with assistance in weathering these tough times. The ABA Economic Recovery Resources Web Portal provides information from job searching, personal development and career transitions to practice management tips, advice for dealing with stress, and discounts on ABA offerings. The site also lists nearly 50 CLE Now! Sessions on a wide range of legal topics offered by the Center for CLE. These programs are free digital downloads that members can access whenever and wherever they want.
The federal government has, through the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and other legislation, created a series of stimulus bills, the thrust of much of which affects the development and financing of real estate property (both commercial and residential). These stimulus bills also provide for a variety of programs which may impact areas of practice critical to many of our section members. The RPTE Economic Recovery Resources Web Portal has been created for some of these bills and for related information. We hope you find this information useful.
RPTE Committees of the Month!
Trust and Estate Committee of the Month
Litigation, Ethics and Malpractice Group
The Group concentrates its efforts on issues involving trust, estate and fiduciary litigation matters. To read more about this Group's activities, click here.
Real Property Committee of the Month
Hospitality, Timesharing and Common Interests Development GroupThe Group continues its quarterly Hot Topics conference calls and education efforts. Click here to find out more information. Read more here.
Insurance for Lawyers by Lawyers
Learn about insurance and charitable giving plans exclusively available to ABA members.








