American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) is a nationwide professional organization of lawyers who work in the fields of law pertaining to the transfer of wealth and assets during life and after death, as well as the tax implications that are associated with such transfers.

The organization serves both as a place where estate and probate attorneys who have made significant contributions to the field can discuss and share their ideas, and as a body that can make informed comment to Congress and other legislative bodies, as well as file amicus curiae briefs in important cases within that field.

Founded in 1949, the organization is an invitation-only group. More than 2,600 Fellows have been designated by the ACTEC. Fellows practice or teach primarily in the United States, although fellows can also be found in Canada and other countries outside the U.S. The national headquarters of the organization is in Washington, D.C.

Candidates for election to the College must meet rigorous eligibility criteria including, but not limited to, demonstrated skill and significant contributions to the field of trust and estate law and no less than ten years experience in the active private practice of probate and trust law or estate planning. The members of the organization are "Fellows."

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel seeks to improve trust, estate and tax laws, as well as the procedures and ethics of attorneys who work in those fields. The College frequently shares publications by members and conducts continuing legal education (CLE) seminars. Areas of law the organization covers include planning the transfer of assets during and after life, trust administration, estates, guardianships, conservatorships, benefits , charitable gifts and any tax concerns that stem from these issues.