What Do Estate Lawyers Do?

<h3 id="section---JobDutiesOfEstateLawyers">Job Duties of Estate Lawyers</h3> <p>An estate lawyer is a bar certified attorney who specializes in estate planning and assists clients in drafting and implementing legal documents, including wills and trusts. Estate law is closely related to family law, since lawyers often must work with related individuals who are involved with an estate. If you enter this legal specialty, you'll arrange and organize the transfer of assets from an individual to the heirs and beneficiaries. </p> <p>You'll also help clients devise ways to reduce taxes or fees that may be imposed on an estate, which requires tax law knowledge. You might also need to establish restrictions on an estate to ensure that a client's wishes are properly carried out. Other personal and business matters that estate lawyers can handle include retirement plans, life insurance policies and charitable contributions. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>On-the-job Training</td><td>Internships at law firms, or in government or corporate law departments</td></tr> <tr><td>Key Skills</td><td>Analytical, interpersonal skills, good at problem-solving, research, speaking and writing</td></tr> <tr><td>Work Environment</td><td>Private or corporate offices, may attend meetings at hospitals, prisons or the homes of clients</td></tr> <tr><td>Similar Occupations</td><td>Paralegals and legal assistants, judges and hearing officers</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---EducationAndSkills">Education and Skills</h3> <p>If you're a prospective estate lawyer, you typically must attend law school to earn your Juris Doctor degree, and then pass your state's bar exam. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), state bar requirements usually include passing written examinations covering both the law and ethics (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). Estate lawyers gain much of their specific estate planning knowledge through on-the-job experience, mentorships and continuing education. Along with having advanced knowledge of the legal system, you should be well versed in the Uniform Probate Code, which imposes rules and limits on wills and trusts. </p> <h3 id="section---SalaryInformationAndJobOutlook">Salary Information and Job Outlook</h3> <p>As of December 2022, PayScale.com reported that estate planning attorneys made a median annual wage of $90,520. According to the BLS, the job outlook for all lawyers will increase 10% for the years 2021 to 2031.</p>