How Long Does It Take to Become an Estate Planner UK?

Complete timeline from training to practicing - and why it's faster than you think.

Quick Answer:

2-8 weeks to complete training and start practicing as an estate planner in the UK. You can take your first paying client within 3-6 weeks of starting your training. To build a sustainable full-time income typically takes 12-18 months.

This is dramatically faster than most professional careers. Compare that to becoming a solicitor (5-7 years) or an accountant (3-5 years). Estate planning is one of the fastest professional careers to enter in the UK.

How Long Is Estate Planning Training?

Estate planning training duration varies by provider and course type:

Intensive Training (Our Model)

2 Weeks

Format: 20 hours over 2 weeks (2 hours per day, Monday-Friday)

Schedule: Evening sessions (7-9pm typically) to accommodate working people

Start practicing: Immediately after completing training

Best for: People wanting quick career change while working full-time

Self-Paced Online Courses

4-8 Weeks

Format: Study at your own pace with recorded materials

Schedule: Flexible, study whenever suits you

Start practicing: After completing modules and assessment

Best for: Self-motivated learners with unpredictable schedules

Part-Time Evening/Weekend Courses

6-12 Weeks

Format: One evening per week or weekend sessions

Schedule: Spread over 2-3 months

Start practicing: After course completion

Best for: People who prefer slower pace with less intensity

💡 Our Training Timeline

We offer 2-week intensive training (20 hours total) because it's the sweet spot: fast enough for career changers who can't wait months, but thorough enough to be competent and confident. Evening sessions mean you can keep your day job while training. See full course details →

Time Comparison: Estate Planner vs Other Careers

Estate planning is one of the fastest professional careers to enter. Here's how it compares:

Career Path Training Time Total Cost Time to Practice
Estate Planner 2-8 weeks £300-£2,000 Immediately
Solicitor 5-7 years £30,000-£100,000+ After qualification
Accountant (ACCA) 3-5 years £5,000-£15,000 After exams + experience
Financial Advisor 6-18 months £2,000-£5,000 After FCA approval
Mortgage Advisor 3-6 months £1,000-£3,000 After CeMAP
Paralegal 1-2 years £3,000-£10,000 After diploma

⚡ Speed Advantage

Estate planning training takes 98% less time than becoming a solicitor and 95% less cost, yet you can still serve the same clients for wills and LPAs. This makes it the fastest route into professional legal services in the UK.

Detailed Timeline: Week by Week

Here's exactly what happens from decision to practicing (using our 2-week intensive model):

Week 0: Pre-Training (3-7 days)

  • Enroll in training program
  • Receive welcome pack and pre-course materials
  • Set up computer/Zoom for online training
  • Review basic legal concepts (optional pre-reading)

Time investment: 1-2 hours preparation

Week 1: Core Training (10 hours)

  • Monday: Introduction & Simple Wills (Wills Act 1837, execution requirements)
  • Tuesday: Mirror Wills & Couples (joint estates, survivorship)
  • Wednesday: Complex Wills (guardianship, executors, residue)
  • Thursday: Trust Basics (life interest trusts, property protection)
  • Friday: Lasting Powers of Attorney (both types, capacity, registration)

Time investment: 2 hours/day evening sessions + 1-2 hours review

Week 2: Advanced & Business Skills (10 hours)

  • Monday: Advanced Trusts (discretionary, nil-rate band, RNRB)
  • Tuesday: Probate & Estate Administration (grants, IHT forms)
  • Wednesday: Inheritance Tax Planning (exemptions, reliefs, strategies)
  • Thursday: Client Consultations & Sales (our 70% conversion process)
  • Friday: Business Setup & Marketing (insurance, pricing, lead generation)

Time investment: 2 hours/day + 2-3 hours practice exercises

Week 3: Business Setup (3-7 days)

  • Register business (sole trader or limited company)
  • Get professional indemnity insurance (1-2 days)
  • Set up Willo software (included with training)
  • Create basic website or Google Business Profile
  • Order business cards

Time investment: 5-10 hours setup tasks

Week 4+: Start Practicing

  • Begin marketing (networking, social media, Google)
  • Take first clients (often friends/family referrals)
  • Use ongoing support from training provider
  • Refine processes with each client

You're now a practicing estate planner!

Total time from enrollment to practicing: 3-4 weeks

Time to First Paying Client

Getting your first paying client typically takes:

2-4 weeks
Friends & Family
Easiest first clients - people who know and trust you
4-8 weeks
Referrals
Second-degree contacts from your network
8-16 weeks
Cold Marketing
Google, ads, networking - new prospects who don't know you

Realistic First Client Timeline

  • Fastest: Some people get their first client during training (1-2 weeks) by telling friends/family they're training
  • Typical: Most get first client 3-6 weeks after completing training
  • Slower: If relying only on cold marketing without network, can take 2-4 months
  • Our promise: We help you secure your first client through our proven process

🎯 Our First Client Support

Unlike other training providers who abandon you after the course, we actively help you get your first client. We teach you our 70% conversion sales process, provide marketing templates, and offer ongoing support until you land that crucial first paying client. This is included in your £995 training. Learn more →

Time to Full-Time Sustainable Income

Getting your first client is exciting, but building sustainable full-time income takes longer:

3-6 Months: Building Phase

Income: £500-£2,000/month (sporadic)

Clients: 1-4 per month

Status: Still need day job, building reputation and systems

6-12 Months: Growth Phase

Income: £1,500-£4,000/month (more consistent)

Clients: 3-8 per month

Status: Considering going full-time, referrals increasing

12-18 Months: Sustainable Income

Income: £3,000-£6,000/month (reliable)

Clients: 7-12 per month

Status: Most go full-time, income predictable

18+ Months: Established Practice

Income: £4,000-£10,000+/month

Clients: 10-20+ per month

Status: Strong reputation, referrals main source, premium pricing possible

📊 Realistic Expectations

Training time: 2 weeks. Time to practice: 3-4 weeks. Time to first client: 3-6 weeks. Time to sustainable full-time income: 12-18 months. The training is fast, but building a thriving practice takes patience and consistent effort. Most successful estate planners keep their day job for the first 6-12 months.

What Affects How Long It Takes?

Several factors influence your timeline from training to sustainable income:

1. Training Quality & Intensity

  • Intensive training (2 weeks): Faster competence, start practicing sooner
  • Self-paced (4-8 weeks): More flexible but may delay start date
  • Part-time (6-12 weeks): Longest to complete, delayed practice start

2. Your Existing Network

  • Large network: First clients in 2-4 weeks (friends/family)
  • Small network: May take 2-4 months relying on cold marketing
  • Professional contacts: Accountants, solicitors, IFAs speed up referrals

3. Time Commitment

  • Full-time focus: Build faster, sustainable income in 9-12 months
  • Part-time (20 hrs/week): Sustainable income in 12-18 months
  • Very part-time (10 hrs/week): 18-24 months to full sustainability

4. Marketing Effectiveness

  • Active marketing: Google profile, networking, partnerships = faster growth
  • Passive approach: Word-of-mouth only = much slower
  • Our sales process (70% conversion): Maximize each lead you get

5. Location & Competition

  • Small towns: Less competition but smaller market
  • Cities: More competition but larger opportunity
  • Affluent areas: Higher prices, faster to sustainable income

6. Prior Skills

  • Sales/customer service background: Faster client acquisition
  • Legal/finance experience: Quicker to grasp concepts
  • Complete beginner: Still very doable, just factor in learning curve

Can You Fast-Track Estate Planner Training?

Yes and no. Here's what you can and can't speed up:

✅ You CAN Fast-Track:

  • Training completion: Choose intensive 2-week course vs 8-12 week part-time
  • Business setup: Register, get insurance, set up software in 3-5 days if focused
  • First client: Actively market to network immediately during/after training
  • Learning curve: Study pre-course materials, ask lots of questions, practice actively

❌ You CANNOT Fast-Track:

  • Competence: You need the full training to be safe and confident
  • Trust building: Clients need time to find you, research you, trust you
  • Reputation: Takes months of good service and reviews to build
  • Referral flywheel: Each client takes time to refer others (if satisfied)
  • Sustainable income: Building 10-15 clients/month takes 12-18 months typically

💡 Our Recommended Timeline

Don't rush the building phase. Yes, you can complete training in 2 weeks and start practicing in week 3-4. But expect 12-18 months to build sustainable full-time income. People who try to rush this (quitting day jobs immediately, expecting instant income) often struggle. Be patient, keep your day job initially, and transition when you're consistently earning £3,000+/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really start practicing after just 2 weeks of training?

Yes. Our 2-week intensive training covers everything you need to competently handle standard wills, LPAs, and basic trusts. You'll have 20 hours of direct instruction plus ongoing support. Most people feel confident after completing the course, though you'll continue learning with each client. Compare this to solicitors who handle wills after 5-7 years training - the law hasn't changed, you just need focused training in this specific area.

How long until I can quit my day job?

Most successful estate planners keep their day job for 6-12 months while building their practice part-time. Once you're consistently earning £3,000-4,000/month (7-10 clients monthly), you can safely transition to full-time. Don't rush this - the financial security of your day job reduces pressure and allows organic growth.

What's the fastest someone has gone from training to full-time income?

The fastest we've seen is 6 months - someone with a large network, existing business skills, and aggressive marketing who went all-in immediately. However, this is exceptional. The typical timeline is 12-18 months. Don't compare yourself to outliers.

Is 2 weeks really enough to learn everything?

Two weeks is enough to learn core competence for standard estate planning. You'll continue learning through experience, ongoing support, and CPD. Think of it like driving - you learn the fundamentals quickly, but mastery comes with practice. The difference is estate planning training is focused only on wills/LPAs/trusts, not broad legal knowledge like solicitors need.

How does training time compare to becoming a solicitor?

Solicitor: 5-7 years (law degree 3 years + SQE 1 year + qualifying work experience 2 years) and £30K-£100K+ cost. Estate planner: 2-8 weeks training, £300-£2,000 cost, practice immediately. You're learning 98% less time but can still serve the same clients for wills and LPAs (which aren't reserved legal activities).

Can I do the training while working full-time?

Absolutely. Our training runs evenings (7-9pm typically) specifically for working people. You attend 2-hour sessions after work for 2 weeks. Total time commitment: 20 hours training + 5-10 hours homework/review. Very manageable alongside full-time employment.

What if I'm a slow learner - will 2 weeks be too fast?

All sessions are recorded, so you can review anything you didn't fully grasp. We also provide ongoing support after training - you can ask questions anytime. Plus, you'll have software (Willo) that guides you through document creation. If you're really concerned, consider a self-paced online course (4-8 weeks) where you can take longer on difficult topics.

Start Your Estate Planning Career in Just 2 Weeks

Fast-track your career change. Complete training in 2 weeks, start practicing in week 3-4, get your first client with our help. £995 includes 2 months free software.

View Course Details ← All Guides