5 Steps to Become An Estate Planning Attorney in 2022

Your ‘estate’ is everything that you own. It could include your house, car, bank accounts, property, furniture, and more. Estate planning is mostly about naming the people or organizations who should receive your assets in the event of your death. It ensures that your assets are distributed exactly as you had wished for.

So, who needs estate planning? It is a common myth that only the wealthy need estate planning. Even if you are not particularly wealthy, it is a necessary step to take to ensure that your estate goes to people you truly care about.

What is an estate planning attorney?

An estate planning attorney specializes in estate planning law. They are responsible for advising clients on how to manage and distribute their assets in case of mental disability or death. Estate and trust planning often involve going through and preparing a variety of legal documents related to a person’s estate. It may also involve negotiating the terms and conditions of these documents. Estate planning attorneys may also be required to litigate in probate court for their clients.

Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A. is a prestigious law firm specializing in estate planning, probate administration, and elder law.

How to become an estate planning attorney?

Do you want to become an estate planning attorney? If you do, you need to follow these steps.

1- Get into law school

If you want to become a lawyer, you will, of course, need to attend law school. And, for that, you need to pass your LSAT (Law School Admission Test). The LSAT evaluates your reading skills and verbal reasoning. Having a high score could open the doorways to some of the premier institutions in the US. Although LSATs are conducted about four times every year, you should give yourself sufficient time to prepare well.

Once you have cleared your LSAT, apply to various law schools. Taking your LSAT early can give you enough time to prepare for the application process.

2- Complete the right courses

To earn a ‘Juris Doctor,’ you have to complete your law school course, which takes about three years or more. During your second and third years, you will be allowed to pursue specialized courses according to the type of law you want to practice.

If you want to become an estate planning attorney, you should complete the following courses:

• Estate planning
• Asset management
• Family law
• Taxation
• Real estate law
• Trusts

3- Pass the Bar exam

You cannot practice as a lawyer unless you pass the Bar exam. Clearing the exam gives you your lawyer’s license. However, the requirements for the Bar exams are different for different states in the US. However, it is mostly a standardized test with multiple-choice and essay-type questions. You have to have in-depth knowledge of the law, the legal system, and ethics to clear this exam.

4- Learn the Uniform Probate Code

It is crucial that you learn the Uniform Probate Code of the state that you are planning to practice in to become a successful estate planning lawyer. The code is about the rules and limits imposed on trusts, wills, and other estate planning documents. The laws may be different for different states. But they govern the crucial aspects of probate and estate planning, such as the validity of wills and creating trusts.

5- Get a certificate for estate planning

If you have set your heart on becoming an estate planning lawyer, consider getting a specialized certificate in the field. You may even go for an LLM degree in estate planning or related courses in taxation or real estate law.

Getting another certificate in estate planning would mean an investment of a couple of years, but it is worth it. These courses will give you more expertise in your specialty.

Conclusion

Are you looking for the best estate planning attorney Miami? Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A. has some of the best attorneys working in estate planning for several years. Get in touch to schedule an initial consultation today!