ILTF establishes Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate
Oct.-2005

In May 2005, the ILTF Board of Directors voted to create the Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate.  The Foundation's Board recognized the need for a unified, comprehensive and efficient approach to estate planning in Indian Country, particularly following the passage of the American Indian Probate Reform Act of 2004 (AIPRA). The need was also compounded by the announcement in April 2005 that the Bureau of Indian Affairs would no longer be drafting and storing wills for tribal members.

The Institute began operations on August 1, 2005 and has assumed oversight responsibility for four existing estate-planning projects funded by ILTF. The Institute's funding relies on public and private grants, government contracts and individual donations. The Institute is housed at Seattle University School of Law.