How to Become an Estate Planner in the UK

Estate planners help individuals and families protect their assets and ensure their wishes are carried out after death or incapacity. The role involves much more than just writing wills - it's about understanding clients' complete financial and family situations and creating comprehensive plans to protect them.

Core services include:

• •Will writing - Creating legally valid wills that clearly express clients' wishes
• •Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) - Setting up legal documents that allow trusted people to make decisions if clients lose mental capacity
• •Trust creation - Establishing trusts to protect assets, reduce inheritance tax, or provide for vulnerable beneficiaries
• •Probate assistance - Helping families navigate the legal process after a death
• •Estate planning advice - Reviewing clients' overall situations and recommending appropriate solutions

The day-to-day work involves:

• •Meeting clients in their homes or your office
• •Asking detailed questions about family circumstances, assets, and wishes
• •Explaining complex legal concepts in simple terms
• •Drafting documents using professional software
• •Liaising with solicitors, financial advisers, and other professionals
• •Building relationships that lead to referrals and repeat business

One of the most important things to understand about estate planning in the UK is that you do not need to be a solicitor or have a law degree. Will writing and estate planning are not "reserved legal activities" under the Legal Services Act 2007. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Estate Planner vs Solicitor.

What this means:

• •Anyone can legally write wills and set up LPAs after appropriate training
• •You don't need to pass bar exams or complete a law degree
• •The barrier to entry is much lower than becoming a solicitor

However, you do need:

1. Proper training - A comprehensive course covering the legal principles, practical skills, and business knowledge you need. See our Best Will Writing Courses UK comparison.

2. Professional indemnity insurance - This protects you and your clients if something goes wrong

3. A professional approach - Clients are trusting you with important decisions

Recommended (but not required):

• •Membership of a professional body like the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) or Society of Will Writers (SWW). Learn more in our IPW Membership Guide.
• •Ongoing professional development to stay current with legal changes

For full details, read our dedicated guide: What Qualifications Do You Need to Write Wills?

Step 1: Research the career thoroughly

Before investing in training, make sure this career is right for you. Read our Day in the Life of an Estate Planner to understand what the work actually involves. If you're considering a career change, we have a dedicated guide for that too.

Step 2: Choose your training provider

Look for training that covers:

• •Wills, LPAs, and trusts (the core services)
• •Business skills (marketing, client management, pricing)
• •Practical experience (not just theory)
• •Ongoing support after training

Compare your options in our Best Will Writing Courses UK guide.

Step 3: Complete your training

Most comprehensive courses take 2-8 weeks depending on format. Our training is 20 hours of curriculum that most people complete in 4-6 weeks while working - ideal if you want to start part-time.

Step 4: Get professional indemnity insurance

This is essential before taking any clients. Expect to pay around £300-600 per year for adequate coverage.

Step 5: Set up your business basics

• •Decide on your business structure (sole trader, limited company)
• •Set up professional software (like WILLO) - see our Estate Planning Software Guide
• •Create a simple website or online presence
• •Register with HMRC for self-assessment

For a complete walkthrough, read How to Start a Will Writing Business.

Step 6: Join a professional body (recommended)

Consider membership of IPW, SWW, or similar. This provides credibility and ongoing support. See our IPW Membership Guide for details.

Step 7: Get your first client

Use your network, local talks, and referral partnerships to find your first clients. Our Client Acquisition Guide covers proven strategies.

Step 8: Build your practice

Focus on delivering excellent service. Happy clients refer friends and family, and your practice grows organically. Read our Marketing Guide for more strategies.

The timeline to become a practising estate planner is much shorter than most people expect:

Training: 2-8 weeks (depending on format and your availability)

• •Self-paced: Complete in your own time, typically 4-8 weeks
• •Guided/live: Structured sessions over 4-6 weeks
• •Intensive: Some providers offer accelerated options

From training to first client: 1-3 months typically

• •Getting insurance and setting up business basics: 1-2 weeks
• •Marketing and finding first client: 2-8 weeks

From first client to sustainable income: 6-18 months

• •Building a client base takes time
• •Referrals become your main source of new business
• •Income grows as your reputation builds

Compare this to becoming a solicitor:

• •Law degree: 3 years
• •Legal Practice Course: 1 year
• •Training contract: 2 years
• •Total: 6+ years

Estate planning offers a realistic path to a new career in months, not years.

Earnings vary significantly based on your effort, location, and how many hours you work. Here are realistic figures - for more detail, see our full Estate Planner Salary Guide.

Typical fees:

• •Single will: £150-300
• •Mirror wills (couple): £250-400
• •LPA (per document): £150-250
• •Will + LPA package: £400-600

Part-time earnings (8-12 hours/week):

• •3-4 clients per month
• •Gross income: £1,500-3,000/month
• •Annual: £18,000-36,000

See our Part-Time Estate Planning Guide for strategies to maximise earnings around other commitments.

Full-time earnings (30-40 hours/week):

• •8-12 clients per month
• •Gross income: £4,000-7,000/month
• •Annual: £48,000-84,000

Established planners (3+ years):

• •Higher-value work (trusts, complex estates) - learn more in our Trust Basics Guide
• •Strong referral network
• •Annual: £70,000-120,000+

Important considerations:

• •These are gross figures before expenses (insurance, software, marketing)
• •Year one earnings are typically lower as you build your client base
• •Location affects fees (London/South East command higher prices)
• •Your marketing effort directly impacts your income

For detailed earnings data, read our comprehensive Estate Planner Salary UK 2026 guide.

For a detailed look at the qualifications available, see our Estate Planning Qualifications guide.