All times listed are Central Time (CT).
EACH COURSE is identified by one of the following terms:
- ONLINE ONLY: Both the instructor and students will meet online for the class, live via Zoom, in the designated weekly time slot. Sessions will be recorded for review, if desired.
- HYBRID: The instructor teaches live from the Moss Building. Some students are in the classroom (limited availability), while others Zoom in. When registering, you may select either the IN PERSON or ONLINE version of the class – both options allow students to interact with the instructor. Sessions will be recorded.
- IN PERSON ONLY: The class will take place at the Moss Building, unless otherwise indicated in the catalog. These sessions will not offer online viewing and will not be recorded.
Important Semester Information:
- Printable course catalog (PDF)
- Printable Monday–Friday Course Calendar Grid (PDF)
- Special Interest Group (SIG) announcement page (Google Doc)
- Looking for the course document page? Check your confirmation email!
- Zoom basics (PDF)
Course listings by day of the week
Select a day of the week below to filter courses. Use Ctrl (⌘) + F on your keyboard or your browser's search function to search the entire page.
Monday Courses
- Buddhism 101
- Learn How to Play Mah Jongg
- The Leading Cause of Adult Disability: Stroke
- The Accessible Farm: Cultivating Accessibility and the Future of Agriculture
- Sharing Our Stories: Introduction to Memoir Writing
- MU Special Collections: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Buddhism 101
Mondays: Jan. 12, 26; Feb. 2, 9 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Siddhartha Gautama—the Buddha—lived 2,500 years ago, but the ideas credited to him live today. This class will cover the historical person and the key teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. We will see how Buddhism developed into a religion as it moved beyond India and learn about facets of the popular religion today, together with resources for further study.
Instructor: Lisa Isaacson is a Columbia native and has a Ph.D. in Philosophy and a Master’s in Religious Studies. She taught a variety of courses at Columbia College for 40 years, both in the evening and online. She enjoys reading, volunteering with Friends of the Library, cooking and traveling.
Learn How to Play Mah Jongg
Mondays: Jan. 12, 26; Feb. 2, 9 (4 sessions)
10:00 a.m. – Noon
In Person Only
Course Fee: $55 ($40 course fee & $15 materials fee)
Premium Members: $15 materials fee
Limit of 20 students; each session runs for two hours.
Mah Jongg is a Chinese gambling game played with three to four players. Skill and intelligence are required, but luck also plays a part. Some say Mah Jongg originated around the time of Confucius, about 500 B.C.E., and that it was originally exclusive to the royal class. Commoners who dared play faced decapitation. Eventually, the penalty was lifted, and the game became popular among all classes. The game was introduced to the U.S. in 1920, with English translations provided on the tiles. Enthusiasts today invite you to learn to play and keep this ancient cognitive challenge alive and thriving.
Instructor: Dee Dee Strnad is a retired Columbia Public Schools teacher with a master’s degree in special education. She taught at West Junior High School for 19 years and has been playing Mah Jongg for about 23 years. She plays weekly with a group of friends and has taught the game to many retired teachers.The Leading Cause of Adult Disability: Stroke
Mondays: Jan. 12, 26; Feb. 2, 9 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
This is a repeat of the course offered during Osher's Spring 2024 semester.
Learn more about what can be a mysterious and devastating occurrence in a person's life—having a stroke or 'a brain attack’! Learn about risk factors, lifestyle choices, the occurrence of the stroke, early medical treatment and rehabilitation. Outcomes are better, and medical intervention is always improving. There will be time for discussion and sharing personal experiences.
Instructor: Kathy Morris is a retired physical therapist with 25 years of experience working at Rusk Rehabilitation Center on the Stroke Team. She loved her career helping people to reconnect their bodies to their brains and giving them a good start in gaining as much recovery as possible following a moderate to severe stroke.The Accessible Farm: Cultivating Accessibility and the Future of Agriculture
Mondays: Feb. 2, 9 (2 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Last half of the semester.
Join us for an exploration of the Jefferson Farm Extension and Education Center and discover how it is redefining agricultural education and accessibility in Missouri. Once envisioned as a showcase for Jeffersonian agricultural ideals, this farm has grown into a dynamic center focused on accessibility, workforce development and community engagement. Its renewed mission embraces people of all ages and abilities—seniors, veterans, neurodiverse individuals and underserved populations—by inviting them to experience and participate in Missouri’s largest industry: agriculture.
The sessions will highlight the partnerships that make this mission possible and explore the challenges facing today’s farmers, particularly the aging farmer population in Boone County, and discuss how veterans, beginning farmers and individuals with disabilities are finding opportunity and purpose.
Participants will come away with a deeper appreciation for how an accessible Extension farm can strengthen communities, foster agricultural literacy and cultivate a more resilient and diverse future for Missouri agriculture.
Instructor: Charles A. Holland is the director of the Jefferson Farm Extension and Education Center and Boone County Extension Operations for MU Extension. Charles has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Missouri, a Master’s in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Chancellor’s Certificate in International Trade from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Sharing Our Stories: Introduction to Memoir Writing
Mondays: Jan. 12, 26; Feb. 2, 9 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
In Person Only
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Limit of 20.
In this four-week course, we will begin to plant the seeds for writing our memoir projects. We will consider questions, such as: How do we tell our stories? How do we invite readers in? Where do we begin? Why do our stories matter? Each week, students will read and discuss the craft of various memoir writers, including Mary Oliver, Lidia Yuknavitch, Ross Gay, Joan Didion, Michelle Zauner and more. We will consider quintessential themes in memoir writing, such as writing about memory and gaps, voice and point of view, structure and scene building. From our discussions, students will engage in various activities and prompts during class time to generate writing. By the end, students will have material to begin expanding into larger memoir writing projects and will leave class with a deeper understanding of the craft of memoir writing.
Instructor: Julia Kooi Talen is a Ph.D. candidate in literature and creative writing at MU. Her emphasis is in creative nonfiction, poetry and hybrid forms. She teaches creative writing, literature and composition classes at Mizzou and has an MFA in creative writing from Northern Michigan University as well as an MSW from the University of Denver.
MU Special Collections: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
Mondays: Feb. 2, 9 (2 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Last half of the semester.
Libraries’ special collections departments are often the source of fascination, intimidation and mystery. This course aims to provide a behind-the-scenes look into what special collections are and how they work. Students will learn a brief overview of the history of the book, with a focus on the special collections found at Mizzou Libraries, learning how the need and desire to preserve the written word has led to the creation of dedicated collections. The course will also address the ways in which special collections departments are organized and how they provide access to their resources, trends we see in special collections and how librarians make decisions about what to include.
Instructor: Marian Toledo Candelaria has been the head of Special Collections and Rare Books at Mizzou Libraries since May 2025. As a historian, she specialized in medieval Scottish history and has studied fine arts and design, medieval studies as well as library and information sciences.
Tuesday Courses
- Future in Focus: Retirement Strategies
- Cinders and Silence: Western Missouri’s Burnt District
- Backyard Birding for Beginners – Winter Version
- The Qatsi Trilogy: Visually Expressing the Human Experience from Way Back to Now
- The Birth of Modern America: The Gilded Age (1877-1900)
Future in Focus: Retirement Strategies
Tuesdays: Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3 (4 sessions)
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Online Only
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
This course will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to take ownership of your finances in retirement. We will explore tax-smart planning, income strategies, risk management and estate/legacy planning to help you navigate retirement with clarity. Designed for today's ever-changing landscape, it will empower you to make informed decisions and build a plan that reflects your goals and values.
The content is not biased toward any strategy, company or product, but rather, focuses on the concepts needed to make informed decisions in this dynamic retirement environment.
Cinders and Silence: Western Missouri's Burnt District
Tuesdays: Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
This is a repeat of the course offered during Osher's Winter 2023 semester.
By September 30, 1863, 2,200 square miles of western Missouri had been depopulated and, by order, put to the torch. Almost 40,000 residents suddenly became refugees, scattered to the four winds. Following the Civil War, while this Burnt District was repopulated, the war's death and devastation were purposefully erased from Missouri's history. This course reconstructs the events through the eyes of those who lived the history, and each class will address a different dimension of the period. [This course was first offered during the Winter 2023 semester at Osher@Mizzou.]
Instructor: Tom Rafiner is an independent researcher who has devoted the last 20 years to reclaiming the history of Missouri's Burnt District. A Mizzou graduate ('69), Tom began his research following retirement and relocation to his native Kansas City. His work has resulted in three books, all anchored in Burnt District history. Rafiner has been the keynote speaker at several Civil War events and has spoken in more than 30 Missouri counties. A storyteller, his old-school approach to engaging audiences brings the history up close and personal.Backyard Birding for Beginners––Winter Version
Tuesdays: Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Each session will feature a review—with color pictures—of seven common winter species that can be expected in your yard between January 1 and April 1, for a total of 28 species. Each participant will be asked to keep a list of species they spot in their yards, and at the end of four sessions, the instructor will host a lunch for those who verify finding at least 25 species at their feeders.
Instructor: Bill Clark has been an active birder in Missouri since 1972, when he knew only three species: Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas goose and Kentucky Fried Chicken. He has filed over 8,000 checklists from Missouri alone.The Qatsi Trilogy: Visually Expressing the Human Experience from Way Back to Now
Tuesdays: Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
In Person Only
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
This is a two-hour class.
The Qatsi Trilogy of films (Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi and Naqoyqatsi) was directed by Godfrey Reggio, with unforgettable, cascading music scores by Philip Glass. From the Criterion Collection description: “These are immersive sensory experiences that meditate on the havoc humankind’s obsession with technological advancement has wreaked on our world." They take us on a journey from ancient to contemporary times, all the while keeping our eyes wide with wonder, accomplished without a single spoken word! During each of the first three sessions, we will watch one film and discuss what we saw and how it affected each of us. In the fourth session, we will watch another movie by the same filmmaking team (Anima Mundi), a "montage of over seventy animal species," also followed by a lively discussion.
Instructor: Steve Heying is a recently retired “doctor of land” (land surveyor), with 48 years of experience, who is a practicing falconer of 61 years. These life pursuits have given him a deep understanding of Mother Earth. He has traveled widely and has seen a large number of ways in which we humans have interacted with the Earth.The Birth of Modern America: The Gilded Age (1877-1900)
Tuesdays: Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb. 3 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Online, plus Watch Party in the Moss Building
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
This is a continuation of Dr. Ward's fall class; new students are welcome.
The post-Reconstruction era in the U.S. was marked by industrialization, urbanization and mass immigration and was dubbed the Gilded Age by Mark Twain. The complete transformation of the U.S. from a largely rural nation characterized by multiple regional cultures into an industrialized country with a national culture is the story to be told.
Instructor: Dr. Jay Ward was born in Springfield, Mo., and raised in Lexington, Mo. He was an undergraduate at Northwestern University and received a medical degree from the University of Missouri. Upon retiring from medicine after 30 years, he received a master’s degree and doctorate in U.S. history from MU.
Wednesday Courses
- Ekphrasis (Poetry and Art)
- As the Crime Swings
- Three Missouri Civil War Campaigns All Missourians Should Know
- Last Hominin Standing: The Origins of Modern Humans
- Navigating Your 1040
Ekphrasis (Poetry and Art)
Wednesdays: Jan. 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
In Person Only
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Limit of 20
An ekphrasis is a vivid verbal response to a work of visual art. In ekphrastic poetry, the poet may address a work, interpret it, make it speak, trace associations or meditate on the moment of viewing. In this course, we will explore works of art by Brueghel, Manet, Matisse, Praxiteles, Pollock and others, as seen and imagined by poets, including Sylvia Plath, Margaret Atwood, Frank O'Hara, Billy Collins, John Berryman and Rita Dove. Because this is a discussion-based course, it will be limited to 20 students and will only be offered in person. No art or poetry expertise is required!
Instructor: Dr. James Terry is an archaeologist and art historian. He taught at Stephens College for 25 years and worked on excavations is Israel, Cyprus, Tunisia and Jordan. He is currently the Interim Curator of Ancient Art at the University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology.As the Crime Swings
Wednesdays: Jan. 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Historically, American responses to crime have swung from more to less punitive and back several times. With current perspectives and reactions arcing more toward punitive again, consideration of past swings may help us better understand present and future actions. This course will examine the historical record; use of stories to define social problems; political battles over story definitions of crime that lead to proposed solutions; silos of criminal justice practitioners’ roles and responsibilities; alternatives to criminal justice perspectives and practices; and possible future public efforts to address the current swing of the crime policy pendulum.
Instructor: Michael Connelly directed state sentencing commissions in Maryland and Wisconsin, the Oklahoma Statistical Analysis Center, and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections research and evaluation unit. In addition, he worked for the Justice Research and Statistics Association, managing state and local technical assistance policy/program evaluation for the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance. He also consulted for the Pew Center on the States on sentencing reform and policy development.Three Missouri Civil War Campaigns All Missourians Should Know
Wednesdays: Jan. 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Missouri legislators voted to stay out of the conflict, but by December 1861, Missouri had fought over 100 military engagements. Missouri soon became one of the most contested states, essential for the North and South to control. The following occurred in Missouri: the first battle of the Civil War (Battle of Boonville); Nathaniel Lyon, the first Civil War general killed, at Wilson's Creek; the longest cavalry raid of the war, Price’s Raid; and one of the war's most devastating massacres, 30 minutes from Columbia. The course will also cover the Union Army's campaign to control Missouri in early 1862, concluding with the Battle of Pea Ridge.
The instructor will analyze leaders, tactics and strategic lessons, making extensive use of maps. The campaigns and battles examined make for a convenient day or weekend excursion.
Instructor: Whit McCoskrie is a Churchill Fellow and tour guide for America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Mo. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, he is a retired lieutenant colonel, having spent three and one-half decades in military service. He has written two books on the Civil War in Missouri and served as an ROTC instructor at MU.
Last Hominin Standing: The Origins of Modern Humans
Wednesdays: Jan. 14, 21, 28; Feb. 4 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Modern humans may be the last hominin standing, but we weren’t always alone. In this class, we’ll explore the fascinating origins of our own species and discuss the various human relatives that shared the Late Pleistocene world with us—Neandertals, Denisovans and the so-called “hobbits” of Indonesia. We’ll compare their skeletal and cultural adaptations to our own to determine what set Homo sapiens apart in a crowded evolutionary landscape. How did we survive and thrive when others did not? Drawing on archaeology, anatomy and evolutionary theory, this course highlights the diversity of human-like species and the emergence of truly modern behavior. Come ready to rethink what it means to be “us”––and what it meant to be “them.”
Instructor: Dr. Libby Cowgill is a biological anthropologist at the University of Missouri who studies fossil remains associated with the latter half of human evolution, including Neandertals and modern human origins. When she’s not teaching or doing research, she knits, paints, occasionally moonlights as an exercise instructor for mature athletes and otherwise tries not to drop expensive fossil casts on her toes. So far, so good.Navigating Your 1040
Wednesdays: Jan. 28; Feb. 4 (2 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Last half of the semester.
Join us as we navigate the jungles of IRS Form 1040. Along the way, you will see illusive tax credits, exemptions and exceptions, all in their natural habitat. You’ll also learn about ancient civilizations, like gross income, and how it became AGI (adjusted gross income). See the evolution of tax-exempt income, deferred tax and taxable income. This is one adventure you don't want to miss.
Instructor: Garry Weiss is a retired CPA and financial advisor. He has over 40 years experience and had his own business in Columbia, Mo.
Thursday Courses
- Thinking Machines, Changing Minds: How AI is Shaping Work and Wisdom
- The Gospel According to Mark
- Astronomical Highlights for 2026
- Mizzou International Programs: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
Thinking Machines, Changing Minds: How AI Is Shaping Work and Wisdom
Thursdays: Jan. 15, 22, 29; Feb. 5 (4 sessions)
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Online Only
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
As artificial intelligence grows more capable, it's reshaping not just what we do, but how we think about doing it. This course explores how AI is transforming the world of work and redefining what it means to be knowledgeable, skilled or wise. We'll examine how intelligent systems are being used to automate jobs, assist professionals and even act as teachers or advisors. But beyond the headlines, we'll dive into deeper questions: What uniquely human skills remain essential? How do we adapt to an age where machines can "know" and "do"? Join Prof C for a lively, accessible conversation about the evolving relationship between humans, work and wisdom in the AI era.
Instructor: J. Scott Christianson—better known as “Prof C”—is an associate teaching professor emeritus at the University of Missouri and former director of its Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Today he writes, speaks and creates multimedia content that turns complex technical topics into clear, actionable insights.The Gospel According to Mark
Thursdays: Jan. 15, 22, 29; Feb. 5 (4 sessions)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Among the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Matthew held pride of place for centuries because it was believed to be the oldest of the four and the creation of Christ’s apostle Matthew. The gospel of John was also favored by many Christians because of its eloquence and assertion that Jesus was the Word of God and equal to the Father. Mark’s gospel was less valued for many centuries because of its shorter length and simpler style. Recent scholars, however, consider Mark the most important gospel because it was in fact written first and brings us closer to the historical Jesus. This course will closely study Mark’s version and place it in context with the other gospels. Students may use any translation of Mark that they prefer, but the instructor will use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Instructor: Timothy Materer is an emeritus professor of English at the University of Missouri and has taught many Osher courses on the Bible.Astronomical Highlights for 2026
Thursdays: Jan. 15, 22, 29; Feb. 5 (4 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $40
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
In this course we'll take a look ahead to the top sights and events of the coming astronomical year. We kick off with the king of the planets, Jupiter, dominating the evening sky and end with beautiful Saturn in view. In between, we will have a chance to view an interstellar comet, only the third one ever known, and enjoy a spectacular Super Moon. Included with the course will be star charts and other viewing aids, ensuring that our attendees won't miss any important events.
Instructor: Val Germann bought his first telescope in 1966, and has been hooked on the sky ever since. He is a two-time chair of the Mid-States Region of the Astronomical League and, though retired, serves on the volunteer staff of MU’s Laws Observatory. Val is an MU grad and taught astronomy for 20 years at Columbia College. He is married and has one child, a daughter, now an associate professor at Stephens College.Mizzou International Programs: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
Thursdays: Jan. 29; Feb. 5 (2 sessions)
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Hybrid
Course Fee: $20
Premium Members: Unlimited classes, no additional fees
Last half of the semester.
International Programs at Mizzou oversees international students and scholars, study abroad, English language learning and the Asian Affairs Center. Join us to learn about the shifting landscape for international student enrollment, trends and new initiatives in study abroad programming and cultural programming offered through the Asian Affairs Center.
Instructor: Mary Stegmaier serves as the Vice Provost for International Programs at MU and is a Professor in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs. In her role as Vice Provost, she oversees MU's international engagement, partnerships, international students and scholars and study abroad. Her academic research focuses on international elections, voting behavior and forecasting. In spring 2026, she'll be leading MU study abroad programs to the Czech Republic and Kyrgyzstan.
Friday Value-Added Sessions
- 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. each Friday of the semester, Jan. 16 – Feb. 6
- All sessions will be offered in Hybrid format (you may choose whether to attend in person at the Moss building or online via Zoom).
Each semester, Osher@Mizzou offers a collection of one-time, 90-minute lectures that are open to all current Osher members. Yes, this is another value-added perk!
Not an Osher member yet? It costs only $30 to join and gain access to all the Value-added semester content. Join today!
January 16: Mizzou’s Fall of 2015: Reflections From a Communications Professional
In the fall of 2015, the University of Missouri experienced a wave of student protests and activism, primarily focused on issues of racial discrimination and systemic inequalities on the MU campus. These protests, sparked by a series of incidents, led to significant changes, including the resignation of the UM System president and MU chancellor. The protests garnered national attention and led to important discussions about racial justice, diversity training and the role of university leadership in addressing student concerns. At the time, Michael Kateman was director of internal communications for the UM System. A decade later, he shares four key insights from this historic chapter as well as how he worked to rebuild trust and confidence among stakeholders.
Instructor: Dr. Michael Kateman enjoyed a 36-year career in higher education communications, constituent relations and fundraising. From 2015 to 2017, he served as director of internal communications for the UM System. Before retiring from Mizzou in 2023, he served for five years as assistant vice chancellor for advancement. Beyond his professional experience, his academic inquiry includes racial identity, leadership reflexivity, and communication and fundraising, while his artistic endeavors intersect oratory, theater, faith and history.January 23: Voodoo Priests, Noble Savages and Ozark Gypsies: The Life of Folklorist Mary Alicia Owen
Explore the fascinating life and legacy of Mary Alicia Owen, once hailed as “the most famous American woman folklorist of her time.” Drawing on his comprehensive biography of Owen, Greg Olson will discuss Owen’s contributions to folklore, fiction and cultural history. Olson will examine Owen’s early life in St. Joseph, Missouri—a boomtown shaped by her prominent family—and the lasting effects of the Civil War on her upbringing as well as the 19th-century cultural attitudes and popular beliefs that influenced Owen’s work, which highlights her unique role at the intersection of literature and folklore.
Ideal for those interested in folklore, women’s history or Missouri’s cultural past, this session will present a nuanced portrait of a woman who defied expectations and helped shape the field of American folklore.
Instructor: Greg Olson served as the curator of exhibits and special projects at the Missouri State Archives from 2000-2018 and is the author of six books, including Indigenous Missourians: Ancient Societies to the Present. He lives in Columbia, Missouri.
January 30: Estate Planning
This session will provide a practical discussion of the basics everyone should consider to establish or update an estate plan, including information on essential and alternative documents that should be included in a comprehensive plan. Participants will gain an understanding of the disposition of one’s assets if individuals do not create a personal plan and will also learn the benefits of documenting one’s wishes. The class will include steps to avoid probate court in the event of incapacity or death and methods to provide for minors or incapacitated persons while avoiding court involvement or government program disqualification. Discover the benefits of living trusts over a traditional will plus options for funding a trust. Learn strategies for the use of nonprobate transfers and beneficiary designations along with potential estate and income tax considerations.
Instructor: James M. Powell has maintained a law practice focused on estate planning, trust and estate administration and other transactional aspects of law in downtown Columbia for nearly 40 years. He is a 1985 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law, where he received academic recognition in the areas of estate planning and business organizations. He is a member of the Missouri Bar Estate Planning and Probate Administration Law Committee and the Mid-Missouri Estate Planning Council.