National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC)

In 1930, the Boston Estate Planning Council was formed as an organization of local estate planners. By the end of the 1930s, there were 10 additional local councils across the country.

The local councils continued to spring up all over the United States, and by the 1960's, many estate planning lawyers began to see the need for a national organization, both to connect the many local councils and to promote cities without a council to form their own. In 1962, the NAEPC was founded. It was incorporated in 1963.

The National Association of Estate Planners & Councils is dedicated to establishing and ensuring standards for professionals, including attorneys, who assist people with arranging the disposal of their estate after death. NAEPC also serves as an accreditation agency for attorneys as Estate Planning Law Specialists (EPLS). Furthermore, the NAEPC encourages members to become accredited through their programs, creating a standard for a knowledgeable estate planning professional. Estate planning professionals, including certified estate and probate lawyers, assist the living with ensuring their estate is properly distributed and their loved ones are taken care of after death.

Estate planning is a complicated legal process, requiring careful attention to detail. The NAEPC, in addition to certifying professionals, also seeks to continually educate them on law and policy.

The National Association of Estate Planners & Councils also serves as a national network for many local councils, which serve as affiliates of the NAEPC. The local councils provide education and networking for estate planning professionals.