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Real Property , Probate and Trust Law Section
History
The Real Property , Probate and Trust Law Section ( Section ) was formalized in 1950 at the same time the original Title Examination Standards were compiled and published by SBAND . The Section ’ s primary activity was to update the Standards and provide continuing legal education to the members of the Section . In 1950 , the annual Section dues for members were $ 5 , and today the dues are $ 25 .
The Section originally had three committees , the Real Property Committee , the Probate Committee , and the Trust Law Committee . The Real Property Committee later became the Title Standards Committee and the Mineral Title Standards Committee .
The original Title Examination Standards were updated in 1953 , 1954 , 1955 , 1956 , 1961 , 1962 , 1963 , 1967 , and 1969 . After 1969 , the Title Standards Committee and the Section ’ s activities were largely dormant until the Title Standards Committee was reconstituted in 1987 with the purpose of revising the Title Examination Standards and developing a practice guide to be included in the new Title Examination Standards .
The Purpose
The stated purpose of the Section is to consider all manner of SBAND approved forms , articles for The Gavel , conduct seminars , engage in the legislative process , propose and lobby in support of legislation important to the Section , mentor young lawyers in legal interests relating to the various subjects pertaining to real property , probate and trust law , and communicate with members of the Section and other members of the Bar respecting these matters . The Section conducts the various sub-committees , including the Title Standards Committee and the Mineral Title Standards Committee , and publishes written materials .
The Section ’ s annual meeting and seminar has , at times , reached more than 200 attendees , and the proceeds of the seminar have provided funding for SBAND and the Section . The Section has provided funding
for scholarships to University of North Dakota ( UND ) law students and , more recently , made a major contribution to the SBAND offices and to the UND School of Law building project . The Section currently has 319 members , and any lawyer licensed in North Dakota can become a member by paying the annual dues .
An Active Section
The Section is currently led by Chairperson Grant Shaft , Vice Chairperson Morgan Reinke , and Secretary / Treasurer Jeffrey Leadbetter . The Section ’ s Mineral Title Standards Committee is chaired by Shane Hanson , and Leadbetter chairs the Title Standards Committee .
The Section is very active and engaged in many areas of law that are of interest to the practicing bar , notes Shaft . “ There is considerable opportunity for interaction and mentoring with lawyers who have concentrated in these areas for many years ,” he says . “ With our active committees and the seminar , there are many opportunities for participation in the Section .”
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