Is the course really free?

Yes, completely. No hidden fees, no credit card required. The free training covers wills, LPAs and trusts in full — the same content other UK providers charge £600–£1,000 for. We give it away because we make our money from the optional coached programme that comes after.

Do I need any qualifications?

No formal qualifications needed. Will writing is unregulated in the UK. What matters is proper training — which we provide.

How long does the course take?

Most people complete it in 2–4 weeks, studying a few hours per week. It's self-paced, so you can go faster or slower.

What's the difference between the free course and the coached programme?

The free course teaches the legal knowledge — wills, LPAs and trusts. The coached programme is the optional next step that teaches the sales and business side: how to find clients, charge properly, and build a real estate planning business stage by stage. £199/month for four months, then £99/month for WILLO ongoing.

Can I do this part-time?

Absolutely. Most of our students run it 3–4 hours a day, 3 days a week, around other commitments. You choose your own hours.

What if I just want the free training and stop there?

Brilliant. Plenty of people do — they use what they learn to look after their own family's documents in WILLO. There's no pressure to progress to the coached programme.

Am I too old to change career to estate planning?

No. Many of our most successful graduates are over 40 or 50. Maturity, life experience, and established networks are advantages. Clients often prefer working with someone who has life experience.

How much money do I need saved before making the switch?

This depends on your circumstances. If transitioning gradually part-time, you may not need savings. For a full-time switch, we recommend 6-12 months of living expenses as a buffer while you build your practice.

Will my previous experience be relevant?

Almost certainly yes. Communication skills, client relationships, attention to detail, and professional behaviour transfer directly. The specific legal knowledge is what training provides.

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Career Change

Career Change to Estate Planning

Thinking of changing career? Honest guide covering realistic expectations, transferable skills, timeline to earning, and whether estate planning is right for you.

By Alex Stansbury, Founder

•

14 min read

•Updated April 2026

TL;DR

Career-changing into estate planning takes 2-4 weeks of training with no prior legal background required. It suits anyone who can explain complex things simply — ex-teachers, mortgage advisors, IFAs, nurses, retirees. Income: £30-60K+ with part-time flexibility.

Is Estate Planning Right for Career Changers?

Estate planning attracts career changers for good reasons: lower barriers than law, flexible working, meaningful work, and good earning potential. But it's not right for everyone. For the complete overview, also read our main guide on How to Become an Estate Planner.

Why career changers are drawn to estate planning:

•No law degree required - training takes weeks, not years. See What Qualifications Do You Need?
•Flexibility - work your own hours, from home or meeting clients
•Meaningful work - help families protect what matters
•Good income potential - £40,000-80,000+ achievable
•Growing market - aging population needs these services

Who typically succeeds:

•People with good communication skills
•Those who enjoy building relationships
•Self-motivated individuals
•People comfortable discussing sensitive topics
•Those willing to market themselves

Who might struggle:

•Those seeking guaranteed income from day one
•People uncomfortable with sales/business development
•Anyone who needs rigid structure
•Those who find discussing death/family conflict difficult

Transferable Skills from Other Careers

Career changers often have valuable skills that transfer directly to estate planning:

From teaching/training:

•Explaining complex concepts simply
•Patience with different learning styles
•Building rapport quickly
•Presentation skills

From financial services:

•Understanding of investments and tax
•Client relationship management
•Compliance awareness
•Professional presentation

From healthcare/nursing:

•Dealing with sensitive situations
•Understanding capacity issues
•Empathy and compassion
•Experience with families in difficulty

From sales/business:

•Client acquisition skills
•Relationship building
•Handling objections
•Business development

From admin/office work:

•Attention to detail
•Document management
•Client communication
•Organisation skills

The truth is: Most skills that made you good at your previous career will help you in estate planning. The specific legal knowledge is what training provides.

Realistic Timeline for Career Changers

Here's an honest timeline for career changers transitioning to estate planning:

Months 1-2: Training

•Complete comprehensive training (4-8 weeks)
•Set up business basics (insurance, software)
•Prepare marketing materials

Months 2-4: First Clients

•Active marketing and networking
•First 2-5 clients typically
•Building confidence through practice

Months 4-12: Building Momentum

•Referrals start coming in
•Increasing client numbers
•Improving efficiency and confidence

Year 1 income expectations:

•Part-time alongside job: £5,000-15,000
•Full-time committed: £15,000-35,000
•Very dependent on effort and marketing

Year 2-3: Established Practice

•Referrals become main source
•Higher-value work possible
•Income: £30,000-60,000+ full-time

The key message: Don't expect to replace your current salary immediately. Most successful career changers either save a financial buffer, transition gradually while keeping other income, or have a partner who can support the household during the building phase.

How to Transition: Practical Steps

Option 1: Gradual Transition (Lower Risk)

Keep your current job and build estate planning part-time:

•Train in evenings/weekends
•See clients outside work hours
•Build up before making the leap
•Transition when income supports it

Pros: Lower financial risk, income security during building phase

Cons: Slower progress, juggling two commitments

Option 2: Full Commitment (Faster Results)

Leave current job and focus 100% on estate planning:

•Full-time training
•Intensive marketing and networking
•All energy into building practice

Pros: Faster growth, full focus

Cons: No income while building, more pressure

Option 3: Redundancy Transition

Many career changers enter estate planning following redundancy - we have a dedicated guide: Estate Planning After Redundancy:

•Use redundancy payment as buffer
•Training while job seeking gives purpose
•New career rather than similar role

Our recommendation: For most people, Option 1 (gradual transition) is wisest. Build proof of concept before burning bridges. See our full guide on How to Start a Will Writing Business for detailed steps.