An attorney who is a Certified Trust and Estate Lawyer by the Indiana Trust and Estate Specialization Board must have devoted a significant portion of his law practice in counseling clients on various estate matters, such as gifts, life insurance, trusts, and business arrangements and agreements. The attorney must have experience preparing estate documents such as wills and trusts and handling estate administration matters, such as guardianships and the probate of wills. Finally, the attorney must have familiarity with the tax laws applicable to individuals, estates, and trusts.
To become a Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer, an attorney must have:
- Been licensed to practice law for at least five years;
- Devoted a significant percentage of his practice to estate planning and probate law for at least three years;
- Handled a wide variety of estate planning and probate law matters to demonstrate experience and involvement;
- Attended estate planning and probate law continuing education seminars regularly to keep legal training up to date;
- Obtained a satisfactory peer review assessment from attorneys and judges based on competence, character, ethics and professionalism;
- Passed a rigorous day-long written examination.
Initial certification is valid for a period of five years. To remain certified, an attorney must apply for re-certification every five years and meet practice and continuing legal education requirements for the specialty field. Very few attorneys in Indiana have obtained the designation of Board Certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer. This designation assures clients that they will receive experienced and professional representation.
