ADMISSIONS

ADMISSIONS

High School Diploma or GED/High School Equivalent

Completion time

completion time

Average: 4-6 Months

Up to 12 months to work at your own pace

Affordability

Affordability

Low Payment Plan Options
*Graduates of Paralegal Certificate Program eligible for 10% discount
Blackstone’s correspondence Wills, Trusts, & Estates advanced paralegal course for the incarcerated offers succinct and straightforward coverage of key topics, as well as helpful guides and step-by-step instructions, to help prepare students for their role as a paralegal in the administration of wills, trusts, and estates. The accompanying textbook, Basic Wills, Trusts, and Estates for Paralegals presents how to assist attorneys as they plan estates, explain rights, draft wills, set up trusts, appoint personal representatives, probate wills, file estate taxes, and represent clients in probate court. It also includes clear examples and a state-by-state analysis of trust and estate law.

Purpose Through Education

Nearly 2 million people are incarcerated in the United States at any given time. While circumstances vary, access to structured, career-focused education shouldn’t. Too often, it is limited, fragmented, or out of reach. Blackstone is preparing justice-impacted individuals to build the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to support their personal growth, continued education, and future opportunities.  

Through education, students gain:

  • Legal knowledge
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Self-discipline, accountability, and confidence 
  • Career-ready professional skills 
  • Pathways for continued education, employment, and reentry success 
*These certificate courses have been designed for the purpose of professional growth, personal enrichment and continuing education. However, they are separate from our Pennsylvania licensure and accreditation.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Describe the benefits of having a will
  • Explain the implications of dying without a will
  • List the categories of facts needed for estate planning
  • Distinguish between real property and personal property
  • Describe the different kinds of nonprobate property
  • Determine how property is distributed through the law of intestate succession
  • Describe the legal requirements for executing, changing, and revoking a will
  • Understand typical paragraphs in a will
  • Explain laws enacted to protect family members
  • List advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of trusts
  • Describe some of the uniform laws
  • List the titles and duties of a personal representative
  • Understand different types of probate proceedings
  • Learn about the tax forms a personal representative must file
  • Explain the law on advance directives and anatomical gifts

BOOK INCLUDED IN YOUR WILLS, TRUSTS, & ESTATES ADVANCED COURSE

Basic Wills, Trusts, and Estates for Paralegals

by Jeffrey A. Helewitz

    Blackstone’s Advanced Paralegal Certificate Program include all materials needed: a commercial textbook and an accompanying study guide. This material is mailed the following business day after the student has enrolled. It is shipped via U.S.P.S. with tracking.

TUITION

FULL PAYMENT

$ 495 One Time Payment
  • Faster completion time
  • Total $495
Full payment plan total costs includes $345 tuition and $150 registration fee.

PAYMENT PLAN I

$ 69 Monthly
  • Monthly payment option
  • $150 down payment, 5 monthly payments of $69, total $495
5 month autopay plan requires a down payment of $150 with 5 monthly payments of $69. Total cost includes $345 tuition, $150 registration fee, and $0 finance fee.
  • Pay using your credit or debit card! We accept Visa, Discover, Master Card and American Express cards.
  • Blackstone has a long history of providing high quality, affordable and accessible education to incarcerated individuals. We believe in freedom through education evidenced by thousands of our incarcerated students and graduates who have changed their lives by choosing to take a course with Blackstone Career Institute.
    • BCI Payment Plans Our all-inclusive online certificate programs offer payment plans with no interest.
    • Sponsorship You can support an incarcerated individual’s educational goals by enrolling them in any of our Advanced Paralegal Courses. Students can take more than one course at a time. As their sponsor, you will have access to the student’s account information once they are enrolled. If you have questions about becoming a sponsor, please email us at info@blackstone.edu
  • Refund Policy At Blackstone, our Student Service team focuses on student satisfaction. However, if you choose not to continue your studies, we offer a refund policy. Cancellations within the first 5 days of enrollment receive a full refund. After the first 5 days, your refund amount is based on tuition collected, lessons completed and enrollment date. Learn more about our refund policy.

Graduates of our Legal Assistant/Paralegal Program qualify for a 10% discount on each Advanced Paralegal Course. That’s just $445.50 per course (regularly $495.00)!

WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY

…This education has had a profound impact on my life. It has given me a sense of purpose, pride, and accomplishment, and allows me to help not only myself but others as well… [These] courses can also demonstrate rehabilitation and commitment to growth, whether before a parole board or in a clemency request. The knowledge gained lasts a lifetime and can open doors to meaningful opportunities. I strongly encourage anyone—especially those in difficult circumstances—to pursue these courses. Knowledge is power, but only when it is applied. Blackstone provides the tools to turn that knowledge into real change.
 

-Shane B.

Advanced Paralegal Graduate

FAQs

Sponsors can enroll an incarcerated individual into the program by clicking here or calling our student service center Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST at 800.826.9228. Blackstone has open-enrollment, so sponsors can enroll the student in the course anytime, 24/7/365.

To qualify for admission, an applicant must meet the following:

  • Complete BCI’s Enrollment Agreement for admission. The agreement outlines the obligations of Blackstone and the student. The required down payment must be submitted at time of enrollment.
  • Submit information on high school completion. All students are required to have a High School Diploma or GED Equivalency Certificate to enroll in a Blackstone program. Physical or electronic evidence of this credential must be submitted to the school.
  • Once Blackstone has received and reviewed the agreement, the accepted applicant will receive a welcome letter with instructions on how to begin their course.

Yes. Blackstone Career Institute is accredited by Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), Washington, D.C and Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, Philadelphia, PA. Accreditation assures the public that our curriculum, faculty, administrative procedures and polices meet the accrediting agencies’ exceptionally high standards. To better understand the value of accreditation, read this document published by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

You can choose to pay the $495 tuition in full. Or, we offer a payment plan with a 100% approval rate for our Advanced Paralegal courses—you will pay a $150.00 down payment and 5 monthly payments of $69.00.

Students enrolled in an Advanced Course receive once shipment which includes a commercial textbook along with a Blackstone Study Guide. This shipment is sent with tracking through the United States Postal Service. Typical Shipping Time is 7-10 business days.

Students have up to 12 months to complete each course. Average completion time is 4-6 months.

We are aware that incarcerated students may be transferred to other facilities or be released during their enrollment with Blackstone. The student and/or sponsor should contact Blackstone as soon as possible to notify of an upcoming transfer or release. This will allow the school to update records, hold material if needed, and send any remaining course material to the new location.

Connect with Our Community

Facebook Group

For friends and family of current or prospective incarcerated students to share your support, ask questions, and offer encouragement to others who are also sponsoring students.

monthly newsletter

Begin Again, our monthly newsletter with resources to help your incarcerated loved one, inspirational stories, and more. We all need encouragement, hope, and guidance during difficult and unexpected seasons of life.

social media

Follow us on socials and keep up-to-date with us and the community.

Facebook Group

For friends and family of current or prospective incarcerated students to share your support, ask questions, and offer encouragement to others who are also sponsoring students.

monthly newsletter

Begin Again, our monthly newsletter with resources to help your incarcerated loved one, inspirational stories, and more. We all need encouragement, hope, and guidance during difficult and unexpected seasons of life.

social media

Follow us on socials and keep up-to-date with us and the community.