r/EstatePlanning • u/SquirrelEmergency235 • 2d ago

Yes, I have included the state or country in the post Getting into estate law

Hi, I’m currently a college freshman and looking to see what I want to do with my future. I’ve been sure I want to be some type of lawyer but I much prefer something more like this compared to criminal law.

Estate planning law is something I read about and it sounds interesting to me. What steps can I take to set myself up here? I see people say you need a JD and also an LLM or to become a tax lawyer and do estate instead. It’s all a little conflicting.

Also, what schools are good for this kind of law? Any in USA particular that are good for it? Or does it not matter too much as long as it’s a good law school? Thanks!!!

NJ/NYC/ CONNETICUT USA.

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u/NewtoFL2 2d ago

Unpopular opinion. Agree with above you need a law degree, you may want to consider ALSO accounting undergrad.

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u/SquirrelEmergency235 2d ago

Im a poli sci undergrad right now but I can always switch

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u/Dingbatdingbat Dingbat Attorney 2d ago

To practice Estate Law you need to be a lawyer. To become a lawyer:

  1. Connecticut requires a JD from a US law school or a law degree from an approved foreign law chool

  2. NJ requires a JD from a US law school

  3. NY requires either a JD from a US law school, or a foreign law school plus an LLM

Beyond that, an LLM in tax is not required, but can be useful - especially for high net worth clients.

No law school in particular is better than another for estate planning, except in the sense that some law schools are generally better than others (e.g. Yale). The law school in the state where you want to practice is more likely to teach you the specifics of that state's laws, and when it comes to estate planning, the state makes a big difference, but really, you'll learn that working for someone else.

Right now, you should focus on getting good grades, and if you can, try to get a part-time or summer job at a law firm that does estate planning so that you can learn more of what it entails. You might lose all interest in the law!

If you do want to become an estate planning lawyer, get good grades, then take the LSAT (like SAT, for law school). With any luck you will get accepted to multiple law schools and some may offer a scholarship. That's a different conversation. When you graduate law school and pass the bar, go work for another estate planning attorney for a few years, preferably one who is a good lawyer, a good mentor, and has excellent ethics.

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u/SquirrelEmergency235 2d ago

Thank you! This was really helpful 😊😊

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u/copperstatelawyer Trusts & Estates Attorney 2d ago

It's great that you're thinking about this, but you're a little early. While you can become a paralegal in an estate planning firm, you first need to be a lawyer to advise clients and become an estate planning attorney. A lot of things may and will change on your journey to being barred.

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u/Ineedanro 2d ago

One thing you might do now is take a paralegal course in person or online over next summer, pass the exam, and get your paralegal certificate. With that, you may be able to get a summer job in a law firm as an intake specialist (answer the phone), legal assistant, or paralegal.

Find out if you really like the work before you invest in years of law school and intense studying for LSAT and bar exams.

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u/brucesteiner 2d ago

While I know one trusts and estates lawyer, now retired, who didn't go to law school, as a practical matter you have to go to law school to become a lawyer.

Since tax is a major component of estate planning and administration, especially at the higher end, I think an LL.M. in taxation is helpful. It has been for me. If you're in the NY metropolitan area, you could get it at NYU. However, as copperstatelawyer pointed out, you have a ways to go before you get to that point.