How do I Become an Estate Planning Attorney?

To become an estate planning attorney, you typically have to graduate from high school and go on to earn a bachelor’s degree. The competition for admission to law school can be fierce, so earning high grades in college is critical. After college, law school usually lasts for about three years and includes required courses necessary for becoming an attorney. You will likely have the opportunity to choose electives in subjects related to estate planning as well. Following law school, you will have to pass your jurisdiction’s bar exam to gain licensing to practice law in your jurisdiction.

After earning a high school or general educational development (GED) diploma, your next step should be enrolling in a college or university to begin your preparation to become an estate planning attorney. While in college, it is important to maintain a high grade point average. This is due to the fact that law school admission is very competitive. You need not choose any particular major to be eligible for admission to law school, as most law schools accept students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. You may, however, prefer to select a major in a subject related to your future career, such as business.

Most law schools will require you to participate in pre-admission testing before you are admitted. In many places, this exam is called the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), though some jurisdictions may use a different test. Law schools will usually use your scores, along with your GPA and sometimes interviews, essays, and letters of recommendations, to gauge how well you are likely to perform in law school.

In law school, your curriculum will likely include a selection of courses that every law school student is required to take. These courses are required no matter what area of legal specialization you have chosen. When you choose electives, however, you may benefit from those related to will and trust creation, estate planning, estate taxes, and contracts. Elder law courses may also help prepare you for this career. Additionally, internships may prove helpful as you prepare to become an estate planning attorney, especially if you secure one in this area of specialization.

Once you graduate from law school, you will have to take a legal exam to become an estate planning attorney. Often called the bar exam, this exam is required for obtaining a license to practice law in your jurisdiction. If you want to practice law in other jurisdictions, you may have to pass their law exams as well.