How to Start Estate Planning Alongside Your Current Job

You don't need to quit your job to start in estate planning. In fact, the smartest approach is to build it alongside your current role until the income justifies a full switch.

Why this works for financial professionals:

• •Estate planning clients are flexible on appointment times (evenings and weekends work perfectly)
• •The work is project-based (no ongoing obligations between cases)
• •Training can be done in spare time (our free programme is self-paced)
• •Setup costs are minimal (no financial pressure)
• •You can test the market without commitment

Who this approach suits:

• •Mortgage advisors between pipeline cases
• •IFAs with capacity outside review season
• •Will writers with employment contracts allowing outside work
• •Anyone with 5-10 hours per week available
• •Professionals who want to transition but can't afford income gaps

The mindset shift:

Your current job provides security. Estate planning provides OPPORTUNITY. By running both simultaneously, you have security AND opportunity until you're ready to choose.

Is it legal?

Check your employment contract for:

• •Restrictions on outside business activities
• •Non-compete clauses (unlikely to cover estate planning)
• •Working time directives (you're in control of your hours)
• •Disclosure requirements (some contracts require you to notify your employer)

For most financial professionals, estate planning falls outside any restrictions because it's a different sector entirely. But always check your specific contract.

Here's how estate planning works around your 9-5:

Your typical week (alongside full-time employment):

• •Monday-Friday daytime: Current job as normal
• •Tuesday evening (6pm-8pm): 1-2 client meetings
• •Thursday evening (6pm-8pm): 1-2 client meetings
• •Saturday morning (9am-12pm): 2-3 client meetings
• •Sunday evening: 1 hour admin and document drafting

Why clients LOVE evening and weekend appointments:

• •Working families can't take time off for daytime appointments
• •Couples can attend together (they both need to be present for wills)
• •Less rushed than daytime appointments squeezed between other commitments
• •You're offering something most solicitors and companies DON'T offer
• •It's actually a competitive ADVANTAGE, not a limitation

Monthly capacity on this schedule:

• •4-6 meetings per week × 4 weeks = 16-24 clients per month
• •Average fee: £700
• •Monthly income: £11,200-£16,800
• •Annual income: £134,000-£200,000 (in addition to your current salary!)

Even at half that pace:

• •2-3 meetings per week
• •Monthly income: £5,600-£8,400
• •Annual income: £67,000-£100,000

This is ADDITIONAL income on top of your current salary. For mortgage advisors earning £50,000 or will writers earning £30,000, this could double or triple your total household income.

The drafting work:

• •Client meetings are where the time-critical work happens
• •Document drafting can be done anytime (WILLO makes it fast)
• •Most wills take 30-60 minutes to draft after the meeting
• •LPAs take 20-30 minutes to prepare
• •Sunday evening admin session handles the week's drafting

Our free training programme is designed for people who work full-time. Here's how it fits:

The programme structure:

• •8 modules, 45 lessons
• •Self-paced — no live sessions to attend
• •Access 24/7 from any device
• •Pick up where you left off
• •No deadlines or pressure

Recommended study pattern (4-6 week completion):

• •Weekday evenings: 30-45 minutes per session (2-3 evenings/week)
• •Weekend mornings: 1-2 hours per session
• •Total time: approximately 20 hours

Study opportunities in your current role:

• •Commute time (if you have one) — read on phone/tablet
• •Lunch breaks — 30 minutes of focused study
• •Quiet days at work (if applicable)
• •Waiting between meetings or appointments
• •Early mornings before the family wakes up

Week-by-week plan:

• •Week 1: Module 1 (Introduction to estate planning) — easy start, builds foundation
• •Week 2: Module 2 (Will writing) — core skill development
• •Week 3: Module 3 (LPAs) — highly practical, immediate earning potential
• •Week 4: Module 4 (Trusts) — premium service knowledge
• •Week 5: Module 5-6 (Client consultation + Business setup) — practical skills
• •Week 6: Module 7 (Marketing and growth) — ready to launch

The advantage of training while employed:

• •No income pressure — learn properly without rushing
• •Apply concepts to your current client interactions (mentally)
• •Identify clients in your current role who'd need estate planning
• •Build confidence before taking paying clients
• •Arrive at independence fully prepared, not learning on the job

Register today. In 6 weeks, you'll have the knowledge. Then start booking evening/weekend clients while keeping your day job. Zero risk, maximum opportunity.

The beauty of the side-business model is you choose when (or if) to go full-time. Here are the signals:

You're ready to switch when:

• •Estate planning income consistently matches or exceeds your day-job net income
• •You have 3+ active referral partners sending regular work
• •You have 15+ Google reviews building your reputation
• •Your diary is fuller than you can manage in evenings/weekends
• •You're turning away enquiries or pushing appointments 3+ weeks out
• •You've built a 3-month financial buffer
• •You've been practising for 3-6 months and feel confident

You might want to stay hybrid if:

• •You genuinely enjoy your day job AND estate planning
• •Your current role provides benefits you value (pension, team, routine)
• •Your estate planning income is a welcome bonus rather than a replacement
• •You prefer working part-time in estate planning for lifestyle reasons
• •Your current role and estate planning complement each other (cross-referrals)

The switch decision framework:

| Day job net income | EP income | Decision |

|---|---|---|

| £40,000 | £20,000 | Keep building (too early) |

| £40,000 | £40,000 | Consider switching (crossover) |

| £40,000 | £60,000 | Definitely switch (opportunity cost of staying) |

| £40,000 | £80,000+ | Urgently switch (leaving money on table) |

For most financial professionals: The crossover point arrives within 6-12 months of starting estate planning. After that, every month you stay in your day job costs you the difference in income. But there's no pressure — it's your decision, on your timeline.

Running two income streams requires organisation. Here's how to manage it:

Time management:

• •Block out your estate planning hours in your diary and protect them
• •Use WILLO's scheduling to manage appointments efficiently
• •Batch your admin (Sunday evening session for the week's drafting)
• •Don't let estate planning bleed into your day job (or vice versa)
• •Set clear boundaries with estate planning clients about response times

Energy management:

• •Don't overcommit in the first month (start with 2-3 appointments/week)
• •Build gradually as you find your rhythm
• •If you're exhausted, reduce — this should be energising, not draining
• •Remember: estate planning clients are pleasant (they come to you voluntarily for help)
• •The income from your first few cases will motivate you through any tiredness

Communication:

• •Set expectations: "I'm available Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday mornings"
• •Use a separate phone number or Google Voice for estate planning
• •Set up a professional voicemail for when you're in your day job
• •Respond to enquiries within 24 hours (clients understand you have a schedule)

Separation:

• •Keep finances separate (different bank account for estate planning)
• •Keep marketing separate (don't use company email for personal business)
• •Keep time separate (clear boundaries between day job and EP)
• •Keep identity separate (you're wearing two hats — keep them distinct)

What to tell your day-job employer:

• •Check your contract first (do you need to disclose?)
• •If disclosure is required, estate planning is rarely a concern (different sector)
• •Frame it positively: "I'm developing estate planning skills in my own time"
• •Most employers are unconcerned about non-competing outside activities

The endgame: This dual-income phase is temporary. Within 6-12 months, you'll either switch fully to estate planning (because the income is better) or choose to keep both permanently (because you enjoy the variety). Either way, you're in a stronger position than doing only one thing.

Start your free training today at Become an Estate Planner. In 6 weeks you'll have the skills, and in 6 months you'll have a thriving side business — or a full-time independent career. The path is yours to choose.