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'''Gerry W. Beyer''' is an American lawyer, academic, and author. He is the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law at ].<ref name=aes>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/law/faculty/g_beyer.php|title=Gerry W. Beyer}}</ref> '''Gerry W. Beyer''' is an American lawyer, academic, and author. He is the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law at ].<ref name=aes>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/law/faculty/g_beyer.php|title=Gerry W. Beyer}}</ref>


Beyer is most known for his work in ], ], ], and related fields. He has authored over 25 books, including ''Wills, Trusts, and Estates: Examples & Explanations'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fama.us.es/discovery/search?vid=34CBUA_US:VU1&query=any,contains,(OCoLC)928711399|title=Wills, trusts, and estates: examples and explanations}}</ref> ''Teaching Materials on Estate Planning'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://benilde.on.worldcat.org/oclc/760250067|title=Teaching materials on estate planning}}</ref> and ''Texas Law of Wills''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tallons.law.utexas.edu/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=321773|title=Texas law of wills / by Gerry W. Beyer.}}</ref> His work has received honors, including three Excellence in Writing Awards from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/education/2013/01/14/texas-tech-law-professor-earns-3rd-excellence-writing-award/15111146007/|title=Texas Tech law professor earns 3rd excellence in writing award}}</ref> Moreover, he is the recipient of distinguished faculty awards from three law schools, including the Texas Tech's Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award,<ref name=wjv>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/Teaching_Academy/Teaching_Awards/Chancellor_Council_Distinguished_Teaching_Award_Recipients.php|title=Past Chancellor’s Council Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients}}</ref> the 2015 President's Academic Achievement Award, and the Outstanding Law Researcher Award in 2013 and 2017.<ref name=jqs>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/research/award-ops/OutstandingResearchAwardees.php|title=Outstanding Research Awardees}}</ref> Beyer is most known for his work in ], ], ], and related fields. He has authored over 25 books, including ''Wills, Trusts, and Estates: Examples & Explanations'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fama.us.es/discovery/search?vid=34CBUA_US:VU1&query=any,contains,(OCoLC)928711399|title=Wills, trusts, and estates: examples and explanations}}</ref> ''Teaching Materials on Estate Planning'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://benilde.on.worldcat.org/oclc/760250067|title=Teaching materials on estate planning}}</ref> and ''Texas Law of Wills''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://tallons.law.utexas.edu/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=321773|title=Texas law of wills / by Gerry W. Beyer.|series=Texas practice series |date=2016 |publisher=Thomson Reuters }}</ref> His work has received honors, including three Excellence in Writing Awards from the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/education/2013/01/14/texas-tech-law-professor-earns-3rd-excellence-writing-award/15111146007/|title=Texas Tech law professor earns 3rd excellence in writing award}}</ref> Moreover, he is the recipient of distinguished faculty awards from three law schools, including the Texas Tech's Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award,<ref name=wjv>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/Teaching_Academy/Teaching_Awards/Chancellor_Council_Distinguished_Teaching_Award_Recipients.php|title=Past Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients}}</ref> the 2015 President's Academic Achievement Award, and the Outstanding Law Researcher Award in 2013 and 2017.<ref name=jqs>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/research/award-ops/OutstandingResearchAwardees.php|title=Outstanding Research Awardees}}</ref>


==Education== ==Education==
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==Career== ==Career==
Beyer began his academic career as a Law Instructor at the University of Illinois between 1980 and 1981. He then joined ] in 1981 as an ] of Law and was promoted to ] in 1984. From 1987 to 2005, he served as a Professor of Law at St. Mary's University. In 2005, he joined the faculty of the Texas Tech University School of Law as the first holder of the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law.<ref name=aes/> After practicing law with the Columbus, Ohio law firm of Knisley, Carpenter, Wilhelm, and Nein, Beyer began his academic career as a law instructor at the University of Illinois between 1980 and 1981. He then joined ] in 1981 as an ] of law and was promoted to ] in 1984. From 1987 to 2005, he served as a professor of law at St. Mary's University. In 2005, he joined the faculty of the Texas Tech University School of Law as the first holder of the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law, a position which he currently holds.<ref name=aes/>


Beyer was inducted into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils in 2015 for his contributions to the field<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.naepc.org/designations/estate-planners/hall-of-fame|title=NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame®}}</ref> and later received the Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award from the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the ] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reptl.org/bill-pargaman-distinguished-probate-attorney-lifetime-achievement-award|title=Bill Pargaman Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award}}</ref> Beyer was inducted into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils in 2015 for his contributions to the field<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.naepc.org/designations/estate-planners/hall-of-fame|title=NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame®}}</ref> and later received the Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award from the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the ] in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reptl.org/bill-pargaman-distinguished-probate-attorney-lifetime-achievement-award|title=Bill Pargaman Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award}}</ref>


Beyer is the Editor of the ''Wills, Trusts, and Estates Prof Blog'', which earned Hall of Fame status in 2015 after being named to the ''ABA Journal's'' ''Blawg'' 100 for five consecutive years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/law/faculty/g_beyer.php|title=Gerry W. Beyer–Taxes Tech University}}</ref> He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of the ''REPTL Reporter'', the official journal of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reptl.org/uploads/16-2017/reporter/Volume%2055-3%20REPTL%20Reporter.pdf|title=REPTL Reporter}}</ref> Beyer is the editor of the ''Wills, Trusts, and Estates Prof Blog'', which earned Hall of Fame status in 2015 after being named to the ''ABA Journal's'' ''Blawg'' 100 for five consecutive years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/law/faculty/g_beyer.php|title=Gerry W. Beyer–Taxes Tech University}}</ref> He also has served as editor-in-chief of the ''REPTL Reporter'', the official journal of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, since 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reptl.org/uploads/16-2017/reporter/Volume%2055-3%20REPTL%20Reporter.pdf|title=REPTL Reporter}}</ref>


Beyer was Treasurer of the Lubbock County Bar Association from 2009 to 2010 and served on the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Council of the State Bar of Texas from 2009 to 2013. Furthermore, he contributed to the Texas Law Component for the Texas Board of Law Examiners. He was also a member of the Estate Planning and Probate Law Exam Commission from 1991 to 2005 and has served as the Keeping Current Probate Editor for ''Probate & Property'' magazine since 1992. He served as a President of the South Plains Trust & Estate Council from 2010 to 2011 and has been its Director since 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sptec.org/|title=Board of Directors–SPTEC}}</ref> Beyer was treasurer of the Lubbock County Bar Association from 2009 to 2010 and served on the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Council of the State Bar of Texas from 2009 to 2013. Furthermore, he contributed to the Texas Law Component for the Texas Board of Law Examiners. He was also a member of the Estate Planning and Probate Law Exam Commission from 1991 to 2005 and has served as the keeping current probate editor for ''Probate & Property'' magazine since 1992. He served as a president of the South Plains Trust & Estate Council from 2010 to 2011 and has been one of its directors since 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sptec.org/|title=Board of Directors–SPTEC}}</ref>


Beyer is a member of an Academic Fellow and former Regent of the ], and a member of the American Law Institute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ali.org/members/directory/?term=Gerry+beyer|title=Member Directory–American Law Institute}}</ref> Additionally, he was appointed by the Uniform Law Commission as the Reporter for the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2778660153?sourcetype=Trade%20Journals|title=The Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act: An Interview with Suzanne Brown Walsh and Professor Gerry W. Beyer}}</ref> and the Probate and Non-Probate Transfer Integration Study Committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://texastechlawlibrary.com/2023/09/04/june-2023-law-faculty-publications-news/|title=The Reporter–Texas Tech Law Library}}</ref> Beyer is a member of an Academic Fellow and former Regent of the ], and a member of the American Law Institute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ali.org/members/directory/?term=Gerry+beyer|title=Member Directory–American Law Institute}}</ref> Additionally, he was appointed by the Uniform Law Commission as the Reporter for the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act in 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2778660153|title=The Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act: An Interview with Suzanne Brown Walsh and Professor Gerry W. Beyer|id={{ProQuest|2778660153}} }}</ref> and the Probate and Non-Probate Transfer Integration Study Committee in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://texastechlawlibrary.com/2023/09/04/june-2023-law-faculty-publications-news/|title=The Reporter–Texas Tech Law Library|date=4 September 2023 }}</ref>


==Research== ==Research==
Beyer ranks among the top 0.001% of law authors on the ] (SSRN).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SSRN-Law-Author-Ranking-Total-Downloads-01-01-16.pdf|title=SSRN Top 100 Law Authors}}</ref><ref name=les>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/2006-07_law_catalog.pdf|title=Texas Tech University}}</ref> He has authored books and articles on various aspects of estate planning, including a two-volume treatise on Texas wills law, a law school casebook on estate planning, and the ''Wills, Trusts, and Estates'' volume in the Examples & Explanations series. His writings has earned him three awards from the American Bar Association's ''Probate & Property'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanbar.org/profile.Q4ODgMDA5NT/|title=Gerry W Beyer–American Bar Association}}</ref> Beyer ranks among the top 0.001% of law authors on the ] (SSRN).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/SSRN-Law-Author-Ranking-Total-Downloads-01-01-16.pdf|title=SSRN Top 100 Law Authors}}</ref><ref name=les>{{cite web|url=https://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/2006-07_law_catalog.pdf|title=Texas Tech University}}</ref> He has authored books and articles on various aspects of estate planning, including a two-volume treatise on Texas wills law, a law school casebook on estate planning, and the ''Wills, Trusts, and Estates'' volume in the Examples & Explanations series. His writings have earned him three awards from the American Bar Association's ''Probate & Property'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanbar.org/profile.Q4ODgMDA5NT/|title=Gerry W Beyer–American Bar Association}}</ref>


Beyer researched estate planning, focusing on trusts, wills, and strategies to identify and mitigate will contest risks with tailored approaches,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2014290|title=Will Contests - Prediction and Prevention}}</ref> while also addressing malpractice liabilities and ethical challenges, guiding practitioners on how to avoid pitfalls and protect client intent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2613472|title=Avoid Being a Defendant: Estate Planning Malpractice and Ethical Concerns}}</ref> In a collaborative work, he critiqued post-mortem probate, which could lead to will contests, and advocated for ante-mortem probate as a more effective alternative, reviewing existing models and arguing for its adoption to protect testators' intentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1371864|title=Ante-Mortem Probate: A Viable Alternative}}</ref> Beyer researches estate planning, focusing on trusts, wills, and strategies to identify and mitigate will contest risks with tailored approaches,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2014290|title=Will Contests - Prediction and Prevention|date=2011 |ssrn=2014290 |last1=W. |first1=Beyer }}</ref> while also addressing malpractice liabilities and ethical challenges, guiding practitioners on how to avoid pitfalls and protect client intent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2613472|title=Avoid Being a Defendant: Estate Planning Malpractice and Ethical Concerns|date=2015 |ssrn=2613472 |last1=Beyer |first1=Gerry W. }}</ref> In a collaborative work, he critiqued post-mortem probate, which could lead to will contests, and advocated for ante-mortem probate as a more effective alternative, reviewing existing models and arguing for its adoption to protect testators' intentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1371864|title=Ante-Mortem Probate: A Viable Alternative|date=April 2009 |ssrn=1371864 |first1=Aloysius |last1=Leopold |last2=Beyer|first2=Gerry W. }}</ref>


Focusing on the legal profession's reliance on technology, Beyer discussed how this shift reshaped estate planning through the rise of ], the development of electronic wills, the importance of managing digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3314161|title=Cryptocurrency -- What Estate Planners Need to Know}}</ref> and the prudent use of Artificial Intelligence. He highlighted strategies to address virtual currency challenges,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/items/f0d9959d-c472-4d26-bb7c-4254c64356a1|title=Estate Planning for Cyber Property - Electronic Communications, Cryptocurrency, Non-Fungible Tokens, and the Metaverse}}</ref> reviewed the Uniform Electronic Wills Act and state law variations,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3944994|title=Electronic Wills: The Changing Future of the Estate Practice}}</ref> and provided practical tools for implementing the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act in his work, "Cyber Estate Planning and Administration."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2166422|title=Cyber Estate Planning and Administration}}</ref> Focusing on the legal profession's reliance on technology, Beyer discusses how this shift reshapes estate planning through the rise of ], the development of electronic wills, the importance of managing digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3314161|title=Cryptocurrency -- What Estate Planners Need to Know|date=11 January 2019 |ssrn=3314161 |last1=W. |first1=Beyer }}</ref> and the prudent use of Artificial Intelligence. He highlights strategies to address virtual currency challenges,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/items/f0d9959d-c472-4d26-bb7c-4254c64356a1|title=Estate Planning for Cyber Property - Electronic Communications, Cryptocurrency, Non-Fungible Tokens, and the Metaverse|date=2023 |last1=Beyer |first1=Gerry W. |last2=Nipp |first2=Kerri }}</ref> reviews he Uniform Electronic Wills Act and state law variations,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3944994|title=Electronic Wills: The Changing Future of the Estate Practice|date=2 October 2021 |ssrn=3944994 |last1=Beyer |first1=Gerry W. }}</ref> and provides practical tools for implementing the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act in his work, "Cyber Estate Planning and Administration."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2166422|title=Cyber Estate Planning and Administration|date=29 March 2022 |ssrn=2166422 |last1=W. |first1=Beyer |last2=G. |first2=Nipp }}</ref>


Beyer led efforts to help people plan for their companion animals as well, serving on the Advisory Board for 2nd Chance for Pets and the Animal Research Committee at The Southwest Foundation, emphasizing short- and long-term care provisions, legal variations across U.S. jurisdictions,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1371886|title=Pet Animals: What Happens When their Humans Die?}}</ref> and key estate planning techniques for pet owners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3305378|title=Don't Forget About Pets When Planning for Disability and Death}}</ref> Beyer led efforts to help people plan for their companion animals as well, serving on the advisory board for 2nd Chance for Pets and the Animal Research Committee at The Southwest Foundation, emphasizing short- and long-term care provisions, legal variations across U.S. jurisdictions,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1371886|title=Pet Animals: What Happens When their Humans Die?|date=April 2009 |ssrn=1371886 |last1=Beyer |first1=Gerry W. }}</ref> and key estate planning techniques for pet owners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3305378|title=Don't Forget About Pets When Planning for Disability and Death|date=12 July 2018 |ssrn=3305378 |last1=Beyer |first1=Gerry W.}}</ref>


==Selected awards and honors== ==Selected awards and honors==
*1988 – Outstanding Professor Award, St. Mary’s University Chapter of Phi Delta Phi *1988 – Distinguished Faculty Award, St. Mary’s University Alumni Association
*2010-2011 – Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, ]<ref name=wjv/> *2000 – Russell W. Galloway Professor of the Year Award, Santa Clara University
*2010-2011 – Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, ]<ref name=wjv/>
*2012-2013 – Advanced Professor of the Year, Texas Tech University *2012-2013 – Advanced Professor of the Year, Texas Tech University
*2015 – President's Academic Achievement Award, Texas Tech University *2015 – President's Academic Achievement Award, Texas Tech University
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*2017 – The Outstanding (Law) Researcher Award, Texas Tech University<ref name=jqs/> *2017 – The Outstanding (Law) Researcher Award, Texas Tech University<ref name=jqs/>
*2022 – Hess Memorial Lecturer, ] *2022 – Hess Memorial Lecturer, ]
*2022 – Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award, Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of State Bar of Texas
*2023 – Professor of the Year, Criminal Law Association, Texas Tech University School of Law *2023 – Professor of the Year, Criminal Law Association, Texas Tech University School of Law


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*''Teaching Materials on Estate Planning'' (5th ed. 2023) ISBN 9781684676828 *''Teaching Materials on Estate Planning'' (5th ed. 2023) ISBN 9781684676828
*''Beyer's Texas Property Code Annotated'' (2024) ISBN 9781668782545 *''Beyer's Texas Property Code Annotated'' (2024) ISBN 9781668782545
*''Law of Wills, 4th, 2024-2025 Edition'' (2024) ISBN 9798350283853 *''Texas Law of Wills, 4th, 2024-2025 Edition'' (2024) ISBN 9798350283853


===Selected articles=== ===Selected articles===
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{{reflist}} {{reflist}}


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Latest revision as of 23:18, 26 December 2024

Gerry W. Beyer
NationalityAmerican
Occupation(s)Lawyer, academic, and author
Academic background
EducationB.A., summa cum laude
J.D., summa cum laude
LL.M.
J.S.D.
Alma materEastern Michigan University
Ohio State University
University of Illinois
Academic work
InstitutionsTexas Tech University School of Law

Gerry W. Beyer is an American lawyer, academic, and author. He is the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law at Texas Tech University School of Law.

Beyer is most known for his work in estate planning, trusts, wills, and related fields. He has authored over 25 books, including Wills, Trusts, and Estates: Examples & Explanations, Teaching Materials on Estate Planning, and Texas Law of Wills. His work has received honors, including three Excellence in Writing Awards from the American Bar Association. Moreover, he is the recipient of distinguished faculty awards from three law schools, including the Texas Tech's Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, the 2015 President's Academic Achievement Award, and the Outstanding Law Researcher Award in 2013 and 2017.

Education

Beyer earned his Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Michigan University in 1976. He received his Juris Doctor from the Ohio State University in 1979 and was induced into the Order of the Coif, followed by a Master of Laws from the University of Illinois in 1983. Later, he completed his Doctor of the Science of Law at the University of Illinois in 1990.

Career

After practicing law with the Columbus, Ohio law firm of Knisley, Carpenter, Wilhelm, and Nein, Beyer began his academic career as a law instructor at the University of Illinois between 1980 and 1981. He then joined St. Mary's University in 1981 as an assistant professor of law and was promoted to associate professor in 1984. From 1987 to 2005, he served as a professor of law at St. Mary's University. In 2005, he joined the faculty of the Texas Tech University School of Law as the first holder of the Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law, a position which he currently holds.

Beyer was inducted into the Estate Planning Hall of Fame by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils in 2015 for his contributions to the field and later received the Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award from the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas in 2022.

Beyer is the editor of the Wills, Trusts, and Estates Prof Blog, which earned Hall of Fame status in 2015 after being named to the ABA Journal's Blawg 100 for five consecutive years. He also has served as editor-in-chief of the REPTL Reporter, the official journal of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, since 2014.

Beyer was treasurer of the Lubbock County Bar Association from 2009 to 2010 and served on the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Council of the State Bar of Texas from 2009 to 2013. Furthermore, he contributed to the Texas Law Component for the Texas Board of Law Examiners. He was also a member of the Estate Planning and Probate Law Exam Commission from 1991 to 2005 and has served as the keeping current probate editor for Probate & Property magazine since 1992. He served as a president of the South Plains Trust & Estate Council from 2010 to 2011 and has been one of its directors since 2007.

Beyer is a member of an Academic Fellow and former Regent of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and a member of the American Law Institute. Additionally, he was appointed by the Uniform Law Commission as the Reporter for the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act in 2021 and the Probate and Non-Probate Transfer Integration Study Committee in 2023.

Research

Beyer ranks among the top 0.001% of law authors on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN). He has authored books and articles on various aspects of estate planning, including a two-volume treatise on Texas wills law, a law school casebook on estate planning, and the Wills, Trusts, and Estates volume in the Examples & Explanations series. His writings have earned him three awards from the American Bar Association's Probate & Property magazine.

Beyer researches estate planning, focusing on trusts, wills, and strategies to identify and mitigate will contest risks with tailored approaches, while also addressing malpractice liabilities and ethical challenges, guiding practitioners on how to avoid pitfalls and protect client intent. In a collaborative work, he critiqued post-mortem probate, which could lead to will contests, and advocated for ante-mortem probate as a more effective alternative, reviewing existing models and arguing for its adoption to protect testators' intentions.

Focusing on the legal profession's reliance on technology, Beyer discusses how this shift reshapes estate planning through the rise of cryptocurrency, the development of electronic wills, the importance of managing digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs, and the prudent use of Artificial Intelligence. He highlights strategies to address virtual currency challenges, reviews he Uniform Electronic Wills Act and state law variations, and provides practical tools for implementing the Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act in his work, "Cyber Estate Planning and Administration."

Beyer led efforts to help people plan for their companion animals as well, serving on the advisory board for 2nd Chance for Pets and the Animal Research Committee at The Southwest Foundation, emphasizing short- and long-term care provisions, legal variations across U.S. jurisdictions, and key estate planning techniques for pet owners.

Selected awards and honors

  • 1988 – Distinguished Faculty Award, St. Mary’s University Alumni Association
  • 2000 – Russell W. Galloway Professor of the Year Award, Santa Clara University
  • 2010-2011 – Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, Texas Tech University
  • 2012-2013 – Advanced Professor of the Year, Texas Tech University
  • 2015 – President's Academic Achievement Award, Texas Tech University
  • 2015 – Estate Planning Hall of Fame, National Association of Estate Planners & Councils
  • 2017 – The Outstanding (Law) Researcher Award, Texas Tech University
  • 2022 – Hess Memorial Lecturer, New York City Bar
  • 2022 – Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award, Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of State Bar of Texas
  • 2023 – Professor of the Year, Criminal Law Association, Texas Tech University School of Law

Bibliography

Selected books

  • Fat Cats and Lucky Dogs (2010) (co-authored with Barry Seltzer) ISBN 9780966431353
  • Texas Wills, Trusts, and Estates (2018) ISBN 9781531005757
  • Modern Dictionary for the Legal Profession (2021) ISBN 9780837741727
  • Wills, Trusts, and Estates – Examples & Explanations (8th ed. 2022) ISBN 9781543846829
  • Texas Estate Planning Statutes with Commentary: 2023-2025 Edition (2023) ISBN 9798823013390
  • Teaching Materials on Estate Planning (5th ed. 2023) ISBN 9781684676828
  • Beyer's Texas Property Code Annotated (2024) ISBN 9781668782545
  • Texas Law of Wills, 4th, 2024-2025 Edition (2024) ISBN 9798350283853

Selected articles

  • Beyer, G. W. (1983). Videotaping the Will Execution Ceremony-Preventing Frustration of the Testator's Final Wishes. Mary's LJ, 15, 1.
  • Beyer, G. W. (1993). Statutory Fill-in-Will Forms-The First Decade: Theoretical Constructs and Empirical Findings. Or. L. Rev., 72, 769.
  • Beyer, G. W., Dickinson, R. G., & Wake, K. L. (1997). The Fine Art of Intimidating Disgruntled Beneficiaries with In Terrorem Clauses. SMUL Rev., 51, 225.
  • Beyer, G. W. (2000). Pet Animals: What Happens When Their Humans Die. Santa Clara L. Rev., 40, 617.
  • Beyer, G. W., & Wilkerson, J. P. (2008). Max's Taxes: A Tax-Based Analysis of Pet Trusts. U. Rich. L. Rev., 43, 1219.
  • Beyer, G. W., & Cahn, N. (2013). Digital planning: the future of elder law. NAELA J., 9, 135.
  • Beyer, G. W., & Dacus, B. (2016). Puff, The Magic Dragon, and the Estate Planner. Tex. A&M J. Prop. L., 3, 1.
  • Beyer, G. W. (2020). A Safe Harbor in the Medicaid Adventure: Lady Bird and Transfer on Death Deeds. ACTEC LJ, 46, 3.
  • Beyer, G. W., & Nipp, K. (2023). Estate Planning for Cyber Property-Electronic Communications, Cryptocurrency, Non-Fungible Tokens, and the Metaverse. Est. Plan. & Cmty. Prop. LJ, 16, 1.

References

  1. ^ "Gerry W. Beyer".
  2. "Wills, trusts, and estates: examples and explanations".
  3. "Teaching materials on estate planning".
  4. Texas law of wills / by Gerry W. Beyer. Texas practice series. Thomson Reuters. 2016.
  5. "Texas Tech law professor earns 3rd excellence in writing award".
  6. ^ "Past Chancellor's Council Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients".
  7. ^ "Outstanding Research Awardees".
  8. "NAEPC Estate Planning Hall of Fame®".
  9. "Bill Pargaman Distinguished Probate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award".
  10. "Gerry W. Beyer–Taxes Tech University".
  11. "REPTL Reporter" (PDF).
  12. "Board of Directors–SPTEC".
  13. "Member Directory–American Law Institute".
  14. "The Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act: An Interview with Suzanne Brown Walsh and Professor Gerry W. Beyer". ProQuest 2778660153.
  15. "The Reporter–Texas Tech Law Library". 4 September 2023.
  16. "SSRN Top 100 Law Authors" (PDF).
  17. "Texas Tech University" (PDF).
  18. "Gerry W Beyer–American Bar Association".
  19. W., Beyer (2011). "Will Contests - Prediction and Prevention". SSRN 2014290.
  20. Beyer, Gerry W. (2015). "Avoid Being a Defendant: Estate Planning Malpractice and Ethical Concerns". SSRN 2613472.
  21. Leopold, Aloysius; Beyer, Gerry W. (April 2009). "Ante-Mortem Probate: A Viable Alternative". SSRN 1371864.
  22. W., Beyer (11 January 2019). "Cryptocurrency -- What Estate Planners Need to Know". SSRN 3314161.
  23. Beyer, Gerry W.; Nipp, Kerri (2023). "Estate Planning for Cyber Property - Electronic Communications, Cryptocurrency, Non-Fungible Tokens, and the Metaverse".
  24. Beyer, Gerry W. (2 October 2021). "Electronic Wills: The Changing Future of the Estate Practice". SSRN 3944994.
  25. W., Beyer; G., Nipp (29 March 2022). "Cyber Estate Planning and Administration". SSRN 2166422.
  26. Beyer, Gerry W. (April 2009). "Pet Animals: What Happens When their Humans Die?". SSRN 1371886.
  27. Beyer, Gerry W. (12 July 2018). "Don't Forget About Pets When Planning for Disability and Death". SSRN 3305378.
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