Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers to the most common questions about becoming an estate planner and our training program.

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📚 Training & Course 🎓 Qualifications 💼 Career & Earnings 💰 Costs 🏢 About Project Will ⚡ Practical Questions

📚 Training & Course

How long does the training take?

The training is 20 hours delivered over 2 weeks (2 hours per day, Monday to Friday for 2 weeks). Sessions run in the evenings to accommodate people who are currently working.

Training groups run every month with a maximum of 8 people per group for personalized attention and quality interaction.

What does the training cover?

The 20-hour curriculum covers everything you need to start practicing:

  • Week 1: Simple wills, mirror wills, complex wills, trusts basics, LPAs
  • Week 2: Advanced trusts, probate, IHT planning, client consultations, business setup
  • Plus: Sales process, marketing, pricing, professional standards, Willo software training

See the full day-by-day breakdown on our Course Details page.

Is the training online or in-person?

Online via Zoom. This means you can train from anywhere in the UK without travel costs or time. Sessions are interactive with screen sharing, breakout rooms, and practical exercises.

All sessions are recorded, so if you miss a day due to illness or emergency, you can catch up by watching the recording.

What if I can't make the evening sessions?

Sessions run at consistent times (typically 7pm-9pm) Monday to Friday for 2 weeks. If this schedule doesn't work for you, contact us about future daytime or weekend groups if there's sufficient demand.

All sessions are recorded, but live attendance is strongly recommended for best learning outcomes and to ask questions in real-time.

What happens if I don't pass?

There's no exam to "pass" or "fail." This is practical, skills-based training. You complete exercises during the training, and at the end, you'll have the knowledge and resources to start practicing.

If you struggle with any area, we provide additional support and resources. The goal is for everyone to succeed.

Is there ongoing support after training?

Yes, absolutely. After completing training, you get:

  • Email support for technical and professional questions
  • Access to updated training materials when laws change
  • Software updates and technical support
  • Business coaching and marketing advice
  • Help securing your first client (our promise)

We succeed when you succeed, so we're invested in your long-term career.

🎓 Qualifications & Requirements

Do I need legal qualifications to become an estate planner?

No, you don't need legal qualifications.

Estate planning (writing wills, drafting LPAs, probate support) is not a reserved legal activity in the UK. This means anyone can practice without:

  • A law degree
  • Solicitor qualifications (SQE, LPC)
  • Training contracts or pupillage
  • Barrister qualifications

You do need: proper training (like ours), professional indemnity insurance, and competence in relevant law.

What qualifications will I get?

Upon successfully completing our training, you receive:

  • Certificate of Completion from Project Will Ltd
  • Lifetime "Safe to Do Business With" certification badge for your website and marketing materials
  • Proof of training for insurance providers
  • Professional credentials recognized by the industry

These credentials demonstrate you've been trained by a real, operating estate planning company with hundreds of clients.

Do I need to join professional bodies like IPW or SWW?

No, membership is not required to practice. However, some estate planners choose to join organizations like:

  • Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW)
  • Society of Will Writers (SWW)
  • Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)

Reality check: Membership adds credibility but costs £100-£500+ annually. Many successful estate planners don't join any professional body and still build thriving practices. Decide based on your local market and client expectations.

What skills do I need to succeed?

You don't need legal knowledge (we teach you that), but you do need:

  • Communication skills: Explaining complex concepts simply
  • Empathy: Dealing with sensitive family situations
  • Attention to detail: Legal documents must be precise
  • Basic tech skills: Using software and email
  • Self-motivation: Especially if self-employed

Backgrounds that work well: customer service, education, healthcare, finance, sales, administration.

Am I too old/young to become an estate planner?

No! Estate planning suits all ages:

  • 20s-30s: Long career ahead, tech-savvy, energy to build quickly
  • 40s-50s: Life experience, established networks, credibility with older clients
  • 60s+: Maturity clients value, patience, understanding of estate planning personally

Some clients actually prefer mature estate planners who've experienced life events like marriage, children, inheritance, and loss.

💼 Career & Earnings

How much can I earn as an estate planner?

Realistic earnings breakdown:

Part-Time (5-10 clients/month):

Average fee: £450 per client

Monthly income: £2,250-£4,500

Annual: £27,000-£54,000

Full-Time (10-20 clients/month):

Average fee: £500 per client

Monthly income: £5,000-£10,000

Annual: £60,000-£120,000

Reality Check: Timeline Matters

Most new estate planners take 3-6 months to get their first clients and 12-18 months to build a sustainable full-time income. Year 1 earnings are typically £10,000-£25,000 while you build your client base and reputation.

Is there demand for estate planners in the UK?

Yes, significant demand:

  • 60% of UK adults don't have a will
  • Less than 30% have Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Aging population: Over 12 million people 65+ in the UK
  • Wealth transfer: Billions in inheritance over next 20 years
  • Growing awareness: Media coverage increasing public understanding

The challenge isn't demand - it's marketing yourself effectively to reach those who need your services.

Can I work part-time as an estate planner?

Absolutely! Estate planning is perfect for part-time work:

  • Appointments typically in evenings or weekends (when clients are available)
  • Document preparation can be done anytime
  • Flexible scheduling around other commitments
  • No requirement to take a certain number of clients

Many successful estate planners work 10-15 hours per week earning £1,500-£3,000+ monthly.

How do you help me get my first client?

This is our differentiator. We don't just train you and wave goodbye. We help you secure your first client through:

  • Our proven sales process that converts 70%+ of leads
  • Marketing guidance specific to your local area
  • Lead generation strategies that work (networking, partnerships, online)
  • Pricing strategy to compete effectively
  • Follow-up support until you land that first paying client

Our business (Project Will) serves hundreds of clients using these exact methods. We know what works.

Can I work as an employed estate planner instead of self-employed?

Yes! Employment options include:

  • Estate planning companies (many are hiring trained planners)
  • Funeral directors (often offer estate planning services)
  • Financial advisors (complementary service)
  • Law firms (as a will writer/estate planner)
  • Solicitor practices

Employed roles typically pay £25,000-£45,000 depending on experience and location. Your "Safe to Do Business With" certification proves you're properly trained to employers.

What if I live in a small town - is there enough demand?

Small towns can actually be ideal. Here's why:

  • Less competition than cities
  • Word-of-mouth spreads faster in tight communities
  • People prefer local, trusted service providers
  • You can serve surrounding villages and towns too
  • Many successful estate planners are in smaller communities

As long as your town has 5,000+ people, there's typically sufficient demand to build a part-time or full-time practice.

💰 Costs & Ongoing Expenses

How much does the training cost?

£995 - that's it.

What's included:

  • 20 hours of comprehensive training (2 weeks)
  • 2 months free Willo software (worth £398)
  • Lifetime "Safe to Do Business With" certification
  • Help securing your first client
  • All training materials and resources
  • Ongoing support after training

No hidden fees. No ongoing membership costs required.

What happens after the 2 months free software?

After 2 months, Willo software costs £199/month.

Important: This is optional. You only continue if:

  • You're taking clients and generating income
  • The software is helping your business
  • You find it worth £199/month (pays for itself with 1 client)

You're not locked in. Some graduates use alternative software, some use paper-based systems, some build their own templates. The choice is yours.

We're removing the old barrier where you had to pay monthly software fees before you had clients. Now you get 2 months free to build your business first.

What other costs are there to start?

Essential startup costs:

  • Professional Indemnity Insurance: £200-£800/year (required)
  • Basic marketing: £50-£200 (business cards, local ads)
  • DBS check (if required): £40-£60 (optional but recommended)
  • Website (optional): £0-£300 (can start with free options)

Total startup: £995 training + £300-£1,200 business setup = £1,300-£2,200

💡 ROI Reality Check

At £450 average per client, you need just 3-4 clients to break even on all startup costs. Most new estate planners achieve this within 3-6 months.

Can I pay in installments?

Contact us to discuss payment plan options. We want the training to be accessible to serious career changers, so we're willing to work with you on payment terms.

Email: info@becomeanestateplanner.co.uk

Are there ongoing costs after I start practicing?

Typical monthly costs for a practicing estate planner:

  • Insurance: £17-£70/month (£200-£800 annually)
  • Software (if using Willo): £199/month (optional)
  • Marketing: £50-£200/month (flexible based on budget)
  • Professional body membership: £0-£40/month (optional)

Total: £67-£510/month depending on your choices.

Remember: Just 2-3 clients per month at £450 average covers all these costs plus profit.

🏢 About Project Will

Who is Project Will?

Project Will Ltd is a registered UK limited company that has been trading in estate planning since 2020.

We're not just trainers - we're a real, operating estate planning business that:

  • Writes wills for real clients every day
  • Drafts Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Plans trusts for families
  • Guides people through probate
  • Serves hundreds of clients
  • Converts over 70% of our leads to paying clients

When we train you, we're teaching you the exact systems we use daily in our own business. We're not teaching theory - we're teaching proven practice.

Visit our operating estate planning business →

Why are you training competitors?

Great question. Here's our honest answer:

The UK estate planning market is massive - 60% of adults don't have wills. There's more than enough demand for everyone. We're not worried about competition; we're focused on raising industry standards.

Our real motivation: We wanted to remove the barriers to entry. The old model was:

  • Expensive courses (£2,000-£5,000)
  • Then mandatory monthly memberships (£100-£300/month)
  • Before you even have your first client

This was designed to keep people paying, not to help them succeed. We've built something different: quality training at a fair price with no ongoing fees required.

How many people have you trained?

Honest answer: We're new to training.

We launched our training program recently because we wanted to share what we've learned building a successful estate planning business since 2020.

Training groups run every month with a maximum of 8 people per group. We're deliberately keeping numbers small to ensure quality and personalized support.

What we lack in training history, we make up for in real-world experience: hundreds of actual clients, a proven 70%+ sales conversion rate, and daily hands-on practice in the field.

What is the "Safe to Do Business With" certification?

Upon completing training, you receive the lifetime "Safe to Do Business With" certification badge.

This badge:

  • Displays on your website to build client trust
  • Proves you completed comprehensive training with a real estate planning company
  • Has lifetime validity - no annual renewal fees
  • Shows employers you're properly trained and safe to work with clients
  • Can be used in marketing materials, email signatures, business cards

It's a professional credential that demonstrates credibility from day one of your new career.

⚡ Practical Questions

What equipment/tech do I need?

For training:

  • Computer or laptop (Windows or Mac)
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Webcam and microphone for Zoom (built-in is fine)

For practicing:

  • Same computer for Willo software
  • Printer for documents and client materials
  • Mobile phone for client contact
  • Optional: Professional briefcase, business cards

No special equipment needed - most people already have everything required.

Do I need a DBS check?

Not legally required to practice as an estate planner.

However, getting a DBS check (£40-£60) is recommended because:

  • Builds trust with clients, especially elderly and vulnerable
  • Some clients may ask if you're DBS checked
  • Required if working with certain referral partners
  • Shows professionalism and commitment to safeguarding

We can guide you through the process if you decide to get one.

Can I practice anywhere in the UK?

Our training covers England & Wales law.

  • England & Wales: Yes, practice anywhere with same training
  • Scotland: No - different legal system, requires separate training
  • Northern Ireland: No - different legal system, separate requirements

If you're in Scotland or Northern Ireland, contact us about specialized training for those jurisdictions.

What if I have dyslexia or learning difficulties?

We're committed to inclusive education. We provide:

  • Multiple learning formats (visual, audio, practical)
  • Recordings of all sessions to review at your own pace
  • Extended support when needed
  • One-to-one help sessions
  • Clear, accessible training materials

Contact us before enrolling to discuss your specific needs - we'll work with you to ensure you can succeed.

What about GDPR and data protection?

Estate planners handle personal data and must comply with GDPR.

Our training covers:

  • Data collection and consent procedures
  • Secure data storage requirements
  • Client rights and access requests
  • Data breach notification procedures
  • Privacy policies and documentation

The Willo software includes GDPR-compliant features and templates to make compliance straightforward.

How do I find clients when I'm just starting?

This is exactly what we teach you. Proven methods include:

  • Local networking: Business groups, community organizations
  • Partnerships: Funeral directors, financial advisors, solicitors
  • Online presence: Google Business Profile, local SEO, social media
  • Offline marketing: Local newspapers, community magazines, flyers
  • Word of mouth: Asking existing clients for referrals

We share our exact 70%+ conversion sales process and help you implement it in your local market.

What if I don't like sales or selling?

Good news: Estate planning isn't "selling" in the traditional sense.

It's consultative - you're:

  • Listening to people's concerns about their families
  • Explaining how you can help protect what matters to them
  • Guiding them through important decisions
  • Providing peace of mind

Most people who "hate sales" find estate planning completely different. You're helping people, not pushing products. If you can have empathetic conversations, you can do this.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? We're here to help with honest, transparent answers about your new career.

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