Estate Planner vs Solicitor

What's the difference, and which is right for you? Here's the honest comparison.

Table of Contents

Quick Comparison: Estate Planner vs Solicitor

Aspect Estate Planner Solicitor
Qualifications Required Specialist training (no law degree needed) Law degree + SQE + 2 years training
Time to Qualify 2-8 weeks training 5-7 years total
Training Cost £300-£2,000 £30,000-£100,000+
Typical Fees (Wills) £250-£500 (couple) £400-£1,200 (couple)
Main Focus Wills, LPAs, estate planning only General legal services (including wills)
Regulated By Professional bodies (optional) + insurance Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Service Style Personal, flexible, home visits common Office-based, formal appointments
Typical Earnings £25K-£120K+ (varies widely) £30K-£80K (employed), £50K-£150K+ (partner)

Key Difference:

Estate planners specialize exclusively in wills, LPAs, and estate planning. Solicitors are qualified lawyers who can handle estate planning plus all other legal matters (property, litigation, contracts, etc.). Both are equally qualified to handle standard estate planning work.

Qualifications & Training Comparison

Estate Planner

Entry Requirements

  • No specific qualifications required
  • No law degree needed
  • 18+ years old typically

Training

  • Duration: 2-8 weeks
  • Format: Online or in-person courses
  • Content: Wills, LPAs, trusts, probate, IHT
  • Cost: £300-£2,000

Ongoing Requirements

  • Professional indemnity insurance (required)
  • CPD (continuing professional development)
  • Professional body membership (optional)

Time to Practice

2-8 weeks

Solicitor

Entry Requirements

  • Law degree OR
  • Any degree + GDL (conversion course)
  • A-levels/equivalent for university

Training

  • Duration: 5-7 years total
  • Path: Law degree (3 years) + SQE exams (1 year) + Qualifying Work Experience (2 years)
  • Content: All areas of law
  • Cost: £30,000-£100,000+ (tuition + living)

Ongoing Requirements

  • SRA regulation (mandatory)
  • Professional indemnity insurance (required)
  • Annual practicing certificate
  • 16 hours CPD annually

Time to Practice

5-7 years

🎓 Qualification Truth

Both estate planners and solicitors can legally write wills and LPAs in the UK. Estate planning is not a reserved legal activity, so a law degree isn't required. However, proper training is essential regardless of which path you choose.

Services Offered: What Each Can Do

Estate Planning Services (Both Can Offer)

Both estate planners and solicitors can provide:

  • Simple wills
  • Mirror wills (couples)
  • Complex wills with trusts
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Inheritance tax planning
  • Estate administration (probate)
  • Trust creation and management
  • Will storage
  • Estate planning advice

Additional Solicitor Services

Solicitors can also handle:

  • Contentious probate (disputes)
  • Property conveyancing
  • Family law (divorce, etc.)
  • Business law
  • Litigation
  • Employment law
  • Criminal law
  • Court representation

⚖️ When You Need a Solicitor

If your estate planning matter involves disputes, litigation, or court proceedings, you need a solicitor. Estate planners handle non-contentious estate planning only. For example: writing a will = either can do it. Challenging a will in court = solicitor only.

Specialist Focus

Estate Planners

Depth of expertise in estate planning specifically. Many estate planners handle 100+ wills/LPAs per year, building deep specialization in this area.

Solicitors

Breadth of legal knowledge across multiple practice areas. Useful when estate planning connects to other legal matters (property, divorce, business succession).

Pricing Comparison: Who Costs What?

Service Estate Planner Solicitor Difference
Single Will £150-£300 £200-£500 30% cheaper
Mirror Wills £250-£500 £400-£1,200 40% cheaper
Complex Will + Trusts £400-£800 £600-£2,000 35% cheaper
Single LPA £150-£250 £200-£400 25% cheaper
Pair of LPAs £280-£450 £350-£700 30% cheaper
Complete Package
Wills + LPAs		 £600-£1,200 £900-£2,500 30-40% cheaper

Why Are Estate Planners Cheaper?

  • Lower overheads: No expensive city center offices, smaller teams
  • Specialization: Efficient systems from focusing on wills/LPAs only
  • Software: Modern estate planning software reduces time per client
  • Flexible service: Home visits, evening/weekend appointments reduce need for premium office space
  • No SRA fees: Solicitors pay annual regulatory fees passed to clients
  • Higher volume model: More clients at lower prices vs fewer at premium pricing

💰 Pricing Reality

Lower price doesn't mean lower quality. Estate planners can charge less because they have lower business costs and handle higher volumes. Both must carry professional indemnity insurance and deliver legally valid documents. Choose based on service style and specific needs, not just price.

Client Experience: What to Expect

Estate Planner Experience

Service Style

  • Personal, friendly approach
  • Often home visits (convenience)
  • Evening/weekend appointments common
  • Same person handles everything
  • Direct phone/email access

Typical Process

  1. Initial consultation (often free)
  2. One meeting to gather information
  3. Draft documents sent within 5-10 days
  4. Review and signing appointment
  5. Total time: 2-3 weeks typically

Atmosphere

Informal, relaxed, focused on making you comfortable discussing difficult topics.

Solicitor Experience

Service Style

  • Professional, formal approach
  • Office appointments standard
  • Business hours (9-5pm typically)
  • May see different people for different steps
  • Secretary/PA intermediary common

Typical Process

  1. Initial appointment (may be charged)
  2. Information gathering questionnaire
  3. Draft documents sent within 2-4 weeks
  4. Signing appointment at office
  5. Total time: 3-6 weeks typically

Atmosphere

Formal, professional, traditional law firm environment with established processes.

👥 Client Preference Patterns

Clients choosing estate planners often value: personal service, convenience (home visits), lower cost, flexible appointments. Clients choosing solicitors often value: established firm reputation, one-stop-shop for multiple legal needs, formal office environment, brand recognition.

Career Comparison: Becoming One or the Other

Career Aspect Estate Planner Solicitor
Entry Cost £300-£2,000 training £30,000-£100,000+ (degree + exams)
Time to Start 2-8 weeks 5-7 years
Starting Salary £20K-£28K (employed)
£10K-£25K Year 1 (self-employed)		 £25K-£40K (regions)
£45K-£55K (London)
Established Earnings £35K-£120K+ (self-employed)
£30K-£45K (employed)		 £35K-£80K (employed)
£50K-£150K+ (partner)
Work-Life Balance Flexible (especially self-employed) Demanding (long hours common)
Career Flexibility Part-time very viable Difficult to work part-time at most firms
Age Barriers None - suits career changers 25-65+ Difficult to start training after 35-40
Entrepreneurship Easy to start own practice Requires 3+ years PQE usually

💼 Career Choice Considerations

Choose estate planner if: You want quick entry, lower cost, flexibility, entrepreneurship, and specialization in one area. Choose solicitor if: You want broad legal knowledge, high-street recognition, contentious work capability, and are willing to invest 5-7 years in qualification.

When to Use an Estate Planner vs Solicitor

Use an Estate Planner When:

  • You need a straightforward will or LPA
  • You value personal, flexible service (home visits, evenings)
  • You want competitive pricing
  • You prefer working with a specialist who focuses exclusively on estate planning
  • You want the same person handling everything from start to finish
  • Your estate is relatively standard (property, savings, family beneficiaries)
  • You don't have complex tax situations requiring advanced planning
  • You want quick turnaround (2-3 weeks)

Use a Solicitor When:

  • You have multiple legal needs beyond estate planning (property, divorce, business)
  • Your estate involves contentious issues or disputes
  • You need court representation or litigation support
  • You have very complex tax planning needs (£2M+ estates with intricate structures)
  • Your will involves international assets or beneficiaries
  • You prefer the formality and established brand of a law firm
  • You're comfortable with higher fees for broader legal expertise
  • You need integration with other legal services (business succession, property transfers)

Either Can Handle (Choose Based on Preference):

  • Mirror wills for couples
  • Wills with life interest trusts
  • Nil-rate band discretionary trusts
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney (both types)
  • Property protection trusts
  • Standard inheritance tax planning
  • Non-contentious probate administration
  • Business asset wills (for standard business owners)

✅ Quality Assurance

Both estate planners and solicitors must carry professional indemnity insurance. Both can be held liable for negligent advice. Both must follow professional standards and ethics. The legal validity of documents is the same regardless of who prepares them - what matters is the competence and experience of the individual practitioner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are estate planners as qualified as solicitors for wills?

For standard wills and LPAs: yes, estate planners are equally qualified. Both can legally write wills in the UK (it's not a reserved legal activity). The difference is breadth vs depth - solicitors have broader legal knowledge, estate planners have specialized depth in wills/LPAs specifically. Both must carry professional indemnity insurance.

Why are solicitors more expensive?

Higher overheads (city offices, larger teams, SRA fees), broader expertise (years of legal training), premium positioning, and lower volume business model. Solicitors typically handle fewer wills at higher prices, while estate planners handle more volume at competitive prices.

Can estate planners handle complex estates?

Yes, experienced estate planners handle complex wills with trusts, IHT planning, and business succession regularly. However, for very high-value estates (£5M+) with intricate tax structures or international assets, a specialist tax solicitor may be preferable. For standard complexity (property, savings, family trusts), estate planners are well-equipped.

Do I need a solicitor if someone contests my will?

Yes. Will disputes and contentious probate require court representation, which only solicitors (and barristers) can provide. Estate planners can write wills to minimize dispute risk, but if a dispute arises, you need a solicitor for litigation.

Which is better for a career change?

Estate planning is vastly better for career changers. You can qualify in 2-8 weeks for £300-£2,000 and start earning immediately. Becoming a solicitor requires 5-7 years and £30K-£100K+ investment. If you're over 35-40, estate planning is realistically your only option to enter the field quickly.

Can estate planners charge the same as solicitors?

Yes, some do - especially experienced estate planners with excellent reputations. However, most position at 30-40% below solicitor pricing to win clients based on value. The earning potential is still excellent (£60K-£120K+ for established self-employed planners) even at lower price points due to higher volume and efficiency.

Become an Estate Planner in 2 Weeks

No law degree required. Quick entry, lower cost, and excellent earning potential. Start your estate planning career with comprehensive training.

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