How to find an estate planner

Ready to put a formal estate plan in place? You’re already thinking ahead of most people already. Next comes the practical part: choosing the right professional to guide you through it!

How do you hire a professional estate planner? Here's what it’s like step by step. Learn who they are, how to find a planner, what to expect during the process, and how much it costs.

What is an estate planner?

In plain English, an estate planner is typically a type of attorney. These professionals create legal structures to protect assets according to the will of their client. The most common titles are Estate Planning Attorney or Trust and Estates Attorney. Looking deeper, estate planners go by many titles:

• Estate Planning Attorney: A licensed lawyer who specializes in wills, trusts, probate law, powers of attorney, and other legal tools. This is the gold standard if you want legally binding documents.
• Trust & Estate Attorney: A subtype of estate planning attorney — often used interchangeably.
• Elder Law Attorney: Specializes in legal issues related to aging, including long-term care and Medicaid planning. Many do estate planning as part of their service.
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP®): A financial advisor who can integrate estate planning into your overall financial strategy. They can’t draft legal documents but may partner with attorneys.
• Enrolled Agent (EA) or CPA: Tax pros who may assist in estate tax planning, but they don’t usually draft estate documents.
• Non-attorney document preparers: Cheaper but riskier. They can fill out forms but can’t offer legal advice or customize plans.

Remember that estate planning is a legal service. Keep that in mind as you shop!

FAQ. Can my tax preparer do this for me?

A. No. Estate attorney's have the skills and licenses to design, create and enforce an estate plan. Enrolled Agents and CPAs (tax preparers) do not have the legal training to create and legally file documents that will legitimize your plan in the eyes of the courts.

How to Find and Verify an Estate Planner: The CLAP Method

Choosing the right estate planner isn't just about credentials — it's about fit, trust, and peace of mind. Use the CLAP checklist every time you evaluate a provider:

• Credentialed
• Local
• Active
• Products

Use this mnemonic every time you visit a planner's site or listing to save yourself time and to find the best planner for you.

Credentialed

Confirm active licenses through the Massachusetts BAR association website. Click "Look Up An Attorney" on the linked page and enter the attorney's first and last name. You can verify:

• License status
• Malpractice insurance (required)
• License date of issue
• Board of Bar Overseers Number (i.e. their license number)
• Office location

TIP: This information should agree with what's on the attorney's website. Compare their license issue year to the "years of experience" claims on their website. If they have been licensed for a long time but only recently started estate planning, it isn't a deal killer, but it's smart to ask why if you decide to call.

Local

Verify that your selected provider is nearby. Many parts of the process will conveniently take place on the phone or by email. But the most important parts will require signing documents with witnesses. Choosing a nearby firm provides several benefits.

• Peace of mind and convenience
• Quicker plan amendments
• Plan maintenance
• Personalized advice

Estate planning requires several small steps. You will find them fewer if your estate planner is only down the road.

Active

When you find a planner than is credentialed and local, how do you know if they are accepting new clients? Check Yelp, Google Reviews, and the planner's website to find the quality and recency of their business. Read reviews for testimonials and timestamps. Your life's work deserves an active planner with recent, positive reviews for the services that you are looking for.

How to evaluate reviews:

• If the firm hasn't done any business in several months, look elsewhere.
• If testimonials are negative, look elsewhere.
• If testimonials are positive, but are for services that don't pertain to your situation, consider another provider that more commonly handles estates like yours.

Products

Find an estate planner who specializes in your situation. Are you a HNYI? Do you own several businesses? Are your assets mainly in real estate or retirement accounts? Find a planner who touts their experience with complex estates. If on the other hand you don't have a large amount in assets, then don't pay extra for an estate planning attorney who typically works with complex estates. You are more likely to overpay for your simple plan. Match services to your needs closely. The most typical client for estate planners are called "mass affluent" investors. These are the folks worth between $200 thousand and $1 million representing about 25% of all Americans.

If you have retirement accounts like an IRA or 401k and own real estate, you are likely in the mass affluent category. This is good news! Most local professionals on the south shore are used to planning for mass affluent families, couples and individuals.

• Complex estate: Look for specialized experience
• Mass affluent: Look for trusted, local experts with lots of reviews.

Putting It All Together

Your ultimate goal is to find the planner who best serves your unique needs. Everyone's life is unique, marked by life events , special considerations, and a family of loved ones. Use CLAP to find a planner who is empowering and understanding.

Looking to get this done as quickly and thoroughly as possible? Answer our free questionnaire to get matched to the appropriate south shore planner near you.