What qualifications do you really need to become an estate planner in the UK? Here's the honest truth.
The Short Answer:
You do NOT need any formal qualifications to become an estate planner in the UK. Estate planning is not a reserved legal activity.
Under UK law, the following activities are NOT reserved to solicitors or lawyers:
This is established under the Legal Services Act 2007, which defines "reserved legal activities." Estate planning falls outside these restrictions.
⚠️ Important Caveat
While you don't need qualifications to practice, you absolutely need proper training to do the job competently and legally. Writing incorrect wills or LPAs can have serious legal consequences for your clients and expose you to negligence claims.
No, you do not need a law degree.
Many successful estate planners come from completely non-legal backgrounds, including:
Communication skills and client relationship management translate perfectly to estate planning consultations.
Empathy and handling sensitive situations with elderly and vulnerable clients is essential.
Understanding financial planning, assets, and tax implications helps with estate planning advice.
Ability to explain complex legal concepts in simple terms clients can understand.
Consultative selling skills help convert leads and grow your practice.
Attention to detail and organizational skills are crucial for managing client documents.
What matters more than a law degree: Proper training in estate planning law, excellent people skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to ongoing professional development.
While qualifications aren't legally required, training absolutely is. Here are the main training options available:
Specialist training providers offer comprehensive courses covering:
💡 Our Training Program
We offer comprehensive estate planning training: £995 for 20 hours over 2 weeks, including 2 months free Willo software and help securing your first client. Training runs monthly with max 8 people per group. See full course details →
Organizations like the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) and Society of Will Writers (SWW) offer training programs, typically including:
Some colleges offer diploma-level courses in will writing and estate planning:
Some estate planning companies, solicitors, or will writing firms offer on-the-job training:
Short answer: Optional, not required.
You do not need to join any professional body to practice as an estate planner in the UK. However, many practitioners choose to join for credibility and professional development.
💰 Reality Check on Professional Bodies
Many successful estate planners build thriving practices without joining any professional body. Clients care more about your professionalism, competence, and trustworthiness than membership letters after your name. Decide based on your local market and whether the annual cost (£200-£600) is worth it for credibility in your area.
Here's what you genuinely need to start practicing legally and competently:
You must understand:
Without proper training, you risk legal liability and harm to clients.
Cost: £200-£800 annually depending on coverage level (typically £100,000-£1,000,000 cover)
Professional indemnity insurance protects you (and your clients) if you make an error in advice or documentation. Most insurance providers require proof of training before issuing a policy.
Operating without PI insurance is extremely risky and unprofessional.
Register as:
Cost: Free for sole trader; £12-£50 for limited company formation
Cost: £40-£60
Not legally required, but highly recommended because:
While you can create wills using templates and word processors, professional software helps ensure compliance and efficiency:
Our training includes: 2 months free Willo software (£199/month after, optional to continue). Learn more →
These qualifications aren't legally necessary but can enhance your credibility and expertise:
🎓 Should You Get Additional Qualifications?
Additional qualifications can be useful for credibility and advanced knowledge, but they're not necessary to start practicing. Many successful estate planners begin with basic training (like ours at £995) and add qualifications later as their practice grows and they can afford the investment. Get started first, specialize later.
Estate planning qualifications and legal requirements vary across UK regions:
📍 Important for Scotland & Northern Ireland
If you're based in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you'll need training specific to your jurisdiction's legal system. Contact us about specialized training options for Scottish or Northern Irish law.
So you don't need a law degree - but how do you build trust and credibility with clients? Here's how:
Display your certificate from recognized training providers. Our training includes a lifetime "Safe to Do Business With" certification badge for your website and marketing materials.
Prominently display your PI insurance details (insurer name, cover level). This shows professionalism and that you're properly protected.
A professional website with clear service descriptions, transparent pricing, and client testimonials builds trust more than letters after your name.
Genuine reviews from real clients (Google, Facebook, Trustpilot) are more valuable than any qualification. Build your reputation through excellent service.
Explain your background honestly: "I'm a trained estate planner specializing in wills and LPAs, with professional indemnity insurance and [X] years of experience helping families protect their estates."
Stay updated on law changes, attend workshops, read professional journals. Competence and current knowledge matter more than old qualifications.
💼 Real-World Truth
Clients choose estate planners based on trust, professionalism, clear communication, and transparent pricing - not degrees. A friendly, competent estate planner with proper training will win more clients than a solicitor with a law degree but poor people skills and expensive fees.
Yes. "Estate planner" and "will writer" are not protected titles in the UK. Anyone can use these terms. However, you should have proper training and insurance before offering services to the public.
Yes, most professional indemnity insurance providers accept estate planners with recognized training (like ours). They require proof of training, but not formal qualifications or degrees. We provide documentation that insurance companies accept.
Occasionally, yes. Be honest: "I'm a trained estate planner with [training provider name] and carry £X professional indemnity insurance. I've helped [X number] of families protect their estates." Focus on competence, experience, and protection rather than degrees.
You need comprehensive training covering: Wills Act 1837, will drafting (simple to complex), Lasting Powers of Attorney, basic trusts, inheritance tax fundamentals, probate basics, and professional ethics. Our 20-hour program covers all these areas. Anything less is insufficient for safe practice.
Absolutely. Our training runs in the evenings (7pm-9pm) over 2 weeks, specifically designed for people currently employed. Many students continue working while training and transition gradually into estate planning.
Yes. Online training is widely accepted by insurance providers and clients, especially since COVID-19 normalized remote learning. What matters is the quality and comprehensiveness of the training, not whether it's online or in-person.
No law degree required. Just proper training, professional insurance, and commitment to helping families. Get started with our comprehensive training program.