The National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) is committed to setting and maintaining high standards for professionals, including attorneys, who assist clients with estate planning and the orderly distribution of their assets after death. Acting as a national hub, the NAEPC connects a network of local councils that serve as affiliates, offering education, resources, and networking opportunities for estate planning professionals. Additionally, the NAEPC promotes professional excellence by encouraging members to pursue accreditation through its specialized programs, establishing a recognized standard of expertise and knowledge in the field of estate planning.
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.
The Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation is a prestigious certification offered by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) to recognize professionals who demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment in the field of estate planning. Below are the key requirements to earn the AEP® designation:
Applicants must hold one of the following professional designations or degrees:
Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in estate planning. This experience must involve significant and substantial engagement in the planning, design, implementation, and review of estate plans for individuals.
Applicants must be a current member in good standing of an affiliated local estate planning council recognized by the NAEPC.
Applicants must have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education in estate planning within the previous 24 months. This education can include courses in areas such as:
Applicants must submit two professional references, including one from a current AEP® designee who can attest to the applicant’s qualifications, experience, and commitment to estate planning excellence.
Applicants must adhere to the NAEPC Code of Ethics and demonstrate a history of ethical and professional conduct. This includes being free of any disciplinary actions or ethical violations by licensing boards or regulatory bodies.
Applicants must complete the AEP® application form and pay the required application fee. Certification fees may include both an application fee and an annual renewal fee.
To maintain the AEP® designation, professionals must:
Meeting these rigorous requirements ensures that AEP® designees possess advanced knowledge, practical experience, and a commitment to excellence in estate planning, distinguishing them as leaders in the field.
The legal definition of "Estate Law" refers to the representation of individuals and their families in matters related to the planning, administration, and distribution of an individual’s estate, both during life and after death. Estate law often involves ensuring that an individual’s wishes are carried out regarding the management and transfer of assets, as well as addressing related tax and legal considerations.
Estate law attorneys assist with the creation of wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, and provide guidance on strategies to minimize estate taxes and avoid probate. They often help clients plan for incapacity, ensuring that a designated person can manage financial or health-related decisions if the client becomes unable to do so.
The practice of estate law includes, but is not limited to, the following key areas:
Estate law attorneys often collaborate with financial advisors, accountants, and other professionals to develop comprehensive estate plans tailored to their clients’ needs. They also provide guidance on legal issues related to family dynamics, such as disputes among heirs or beneficiaries.
In many cases, estate law overlaps with other legal specialties, including tax law, elder law, family law, and real estate law. Attorneys specializing in estate law must remain current on federal and state laws governing wills, trusts, probate, and estate taxes to provide effective and ethical representation.
Lawyer Legion maintains a nationwide directory of NAEPC Accredited Estate PlannerCertified Specialists. The public is able to browse the directory and narrow their search by specialty area, county or city to and connect with board certified lawyers to help with their case. Lawyer Legion is the only commercial lawyer directory to properly acknowledge all ABA-accredited specialization programs for both national and state-level board certifications, including those granted by the National Association of Estate Planners & Counsels.
Use this directory to find board certified lawyers who are specialized in their respective areas of law. Start by choosing your state from the list below.
