--- title: "Avoid Unauthorized Practice of Law: 3 Steps + Examples from Financial Advisors (January 2025) | EncorEstate Plans Blog" description: These 3 steps + tips and examples from advisors will teach you how to avoid UPL as part of your estate planning work. image: https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Avoid%20UPL%20as%20a%20Financial%20Advisor%20Featured%20Image.jpg --- [![EncorEstate Plans](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/encore-blog/images/logo.svg)](https://www.encorestateplans.com) [About](https://www.encorestateplans.com/about) [Product](https://www.encorestateplans.com/#features) [Pricing](https://www.encorestateplans.com/pricing) Resources [ROI Calculator Calculate your estate planning savings](https://www.encorestateplans.com/roi-calculator) [Customer Stories See how advisors succeed with Encore](https://www.encorestateplans.com/customer-stories) [Contact Sales Get in touch with our team](https://www.encorestateplans.com/contact) [Podcast Listen to estate planning insights](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZTIWDej8FgPK6bojU9K4TKZBhMv3R1Si) [Blog Latest articles and news](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/) [Sign In](https://app.encorestateplans.com/login) [Book a Conversation](https://encorestateplans.com/demo) Menu [About](https://www.encorestateplans.com/about) [Product](https://www.encorestateplans.com/#features) [Pricing](https://www.encorestateplans.com/pricing) Resources [ROI Calculator](https://www.encorestateplans.com/roi-calculator) [Customer Stories](https://www.encorestateplans.com/customer-stories) [Contact Sales](https://www.encorestateplans.com/contact) [Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZTIWDej8FgPK6bojU9K4TKZBhMv3R1Si) [Blog](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/) [Book a Conversation](https://encorestateplans.com/demo) [Get Your Free Account](https://app.encorestateplans.com/signup) [Already have an account? Sign in](https://app.encorestateplans.com/login) [Estate Planning](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/tag/estate-planning) # Avoid Unauthorized Practice of Law: 3 Steps + Examples from Financial Advisors (January 2025) ![](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/Encore-Brand-Logo.png) Encore Team September 12, 2024 7 min read ## Contents ###### Reviewed by: [Katie Noles, CEP](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/author/katie-noles) In this article: - [What is Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)?](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/avoid-unauthorized-practice-law#What-Is-Unauthorized-Practice-Of-Law-UPL) - [For Financial Advisors, Is Creating and Coordinating Estate Plans Considered Unauthorized Practice of Law?](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/avoid-unauthorized-practice-law#Is-Creating-And-Coordinating-Estate-Plans-UPL) - [What is Considered Unauthorized Practice of Law for Financial Advisors?](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/avoid-unauthorized-practice-law#What-Is-Considered-UPL-For-Financial-Advisors) - [How to Avoid Unauthorized Practice of Law as a Financial Advisor?](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/avoid-unauthorized-practice-law#How-To-Avoid-UPL-As-Financial-Advisor) - [Why Choose Estate Planning Software Instead of Referring Clients Out?](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/avoid-unauthorized-practice-law#Why-Choose-Estate-Planning-Software) #### What is Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)? When someone practices law without a license. Doing so is illegal. Note: every state has different specific definitions of UPL. Related: [How to Create Your Estate Planning Practice - Complete Guide with Tips and Examples from 13+ Advisors](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/start-estate-planning-practice?utm_source=encoreblog&utm_content=howtostartestateplanninganchortextrelatedcompleteguide) #### For Financial Advisors, Is Creating and Coordinating Estate Plans Considered Unauthorized Practice of Law? Financial professionals look at legal documents all day. Your clients have sought financial advice from you in the past, so reminding them of your non-attorney status will not come as a shock (they know you're not an attorney). Tushar Kumar of [Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/the-advisors-guide-to-estate-planning-tushar-kumar-twin-peaks-wealth-advisors?utm_source=encoreblog&utm_content=uplhowtoanchortexttwinpeakswealthadvisor) put it best when letting clients know he can’t provide legal advice: > "I always position myself as ‘I'm not an attorney. We have this firm \[EncorEstate Plans\] that are the ones that are actually going to draft the documents. My job is really to help you more clearly understand what your estate planning goals are and then put them down on paper. Someone else is going to do the actual legal document drafting.’ > > I make it very clear that I’m not practicing law. I rarely get pushback on that. There was one instance that I can remember where I had to explain to someone exactly who Encore is and how it all works. But for the most part, \[clients are\] okay with having someone that we trust that we subcontract the document drafting to." Related: [How to Provide General Legal Information (and Not Legal Advice)](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/how-to-provide-general-legal-information?utm_source=encoreblog&utm_content=howtostartestateplanninganchortextprovidegenerallegalinfo)   #### **What is Considered Unauthorized Practice of Law for Financial Advisors?** When financial advisors start giving specific advice to clients’ highly specific questions, instead of general information. Joel Top of [PlanWiser Financial](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/listen-to-joel-top-from-planwiser-financial-the-advisors-guide-to-estate-planning-podcast?utm_source=encoreblog&utm_content=uplhowtoanchortextplanwiser) has a pro tip for advisors on how to navigate the estate planning conversation without giving legal advice: > “Education instead of advice. I talk to \[clients\] about what their options are and let them know we're just helping them \[understand\] the questions and speak to what's common with other clients, and ‘Here's why.’” #### How to Avoid Unauthorized Practice of Law as a Financial Advisor? Follow these 3 steps to avoid unauthorized practice of law: ##### Step 1: Clients sign an Estate Planning Agreement Before creating an estate plan, having this disclosure agreement with clients sets expectations upfront and gets both you and your clients on the same page (literally and figuratively). These [example client estate planning agreements](https://help.encorestateplans.com/en/articles/8551623-estate-planning-client-agreement-samples?utm_source=encoreblog&utm_content=uplhowtoanchortextexampledlagreements) are downloadable (you can also copypaste them into a Word or Google doc). ##### Step 2: Clients answer disqualifying questions Disqualification questions will help you avoid UPL. And, they'll help you determine if a client only needs a "basic" estate plan (which is what 75% to 80% of all clients need). You can use Encore’s disqualifying questionnaire. ##### Step 3: Clients confirm Plan Summary details This requires their confirmation that all submitted answers are theirs and 100% accurate. Upon their approval, Encore adds a time and date stamp on the plan tracking clients' confirmation. You also receive a follow-up email when they have done so.   #### Why Choose Estate Planning Software Instead of Referring Clients Out? You should consider using [estate planning software](https://encorestateplans.com/?utm_source=encoreblog&utm_content=uplanchortextestateplanningsoftware) instead of referring your clients out when: - Clients’ estate plans are simple and straightforward to create. - From what we’ve seen, we estimate 75% to 80% of estate plans are “basic” and don’t fall into any of the disqualification criteria above. - You’re looking to add more value to your already-established relationships (some clients would rather get a root canal than go through the hoops of vetting someone new and getting all of their info). - You’re looking to create another line of revenue for your firm by bringing all financial planning offerings “under one roof” (Eric Bishoff of The Bishoff Financial Group has an excellent [roadmap for setting up estate planning](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/the-advisors-guide-to-estate-planning-abandon-the-asset-chase-build-trust-client-peace-with-financial-planning?utm_source=encoreblog&utm_content=roadmapestateplanning)). - If the local attorney is not assisting the client with trust-funding, then the trust becomes the most expensive stack of papers they've ever paid for. - Trusts should be fully funded, and if it is a straightforward Estate Plan, then you are the best person to help them with that. Note: there will always be clients in your practice that should be sent to your local attorney (both you and your clients will need them from time to time). And, make sure you work with a local attorney who will provide assistance regarding the funding of the trust. ![](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/Encore-Brand-Logo.png) Encore Team Encore makes estate planning easy for advisors and keeps advisors at the center of it all. ### Book a Conversation See how EncorEstate can help your firm add estate planning services. [Schedule a Demo](https://encorestateplans.com/demo) ### Stay Updated Get the latest estate planning insights delivered to your inbox. Subscribe ## Keep Learning [![Wealth.com vs. Vanilla: Figure out which estate planning software for advisors fits your firm](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/Wealth%20vs%20Vanilla%20Featured%20Image-1.jpg)](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/wealth-com-vs-vanilla) Estate Planning ### [Wealth.com vs. Vanilla: Which Estate Planning Software for Advisors to Pick?](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/wealth-com-vs-vanilla) ![](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/Encore-Brand-Logo.png) Encore Team · May 22, 2026 [![Compare Wealth vs. Vanilla vs. EncorEstate: Looking for comprehensive estate planning software for advisors? These 3 platforms need to be at the top of your list](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/Wealth%20vs%20Vanilla%20vs%20EncorEstate%20Featured%20Image.jpg)](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/wealth-com-vs-encorestate-vs-vanilla) Estate Planning ### [Compare Wealth.com vs. EncorEstate vs. Vanilla Estate Planning Software for Advisors](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/wealth-com-vs-encorestate-vs-vanilla) ![](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/Encore-Brand-Logo.png) Encore Team · May 22, 2026 [![How to fund trusts with Vanilla using EncorEstate Plans deed filing service](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Fund%20Trusts%20with%20Vanilla%20Using%20EncorEstate%20Plans.jpg)](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/how-to-fund-trusts-with-vanilla) Estate Planning ### [How to Fund Trusts with Vanilla Estate Planning Software](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/how-to-fund-trusts-with-vanilla) ![](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/Encore-Brand-Logo.png) Encore Team · December 12, 2025 [![EncorEstate Plans](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/encore-blog/images/logo-light.svg)](https://www.encorestateplans.com) Estate planning software and deed filing service for financial advisors. Trusted by 5,500+ advisors. ### Product - [Features](https://www.encorestateplans.com/#features) - [Pricing](https://www.encorestateplans.com/pricing) - [Deed Filing](https://www.encorestateplans.com/deed-filing) - [ROI Calculator](https://www.encorestateplans.com/roi-calculator) ### Company - [About](https://www.encorestateplans.com/about) - [Careers](https://www.encorestateplans.com/careers) - [Customer Stories](https://www.encorestateplans.com/customer-stories) - [Contact Sales](https://www.encorestateplans.com/contact) ### Resources - [FAQ](https://www.encorestateplans.com/faq) - [Blog](https://blog.encorestateplans.com/) - [Help Center](https://help.encorestateplans.com) - [Trust Center](https://trust.encorestateplans.com) - [Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZTIWDej8FgPK6bojU9K4TKZBhMv3R1Si) ### Stay Updated Get the latest estate planning insights delivered to your inbox. Subscribe Ask AI about Encore [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/?q=Tell%20me%20about%20EncorEstate%20Plans%20(www.encorestateplans.com)%2C%20the%20%231%20estate%20planning%20software%20for%20financial%20advisors%20by%20RIA%20market%20share.%20What%20do%20they%20offer%2C%20how%20does%20their%20human%20document%20review%20work%2C%20and%20how%20do%20they%20compare%20to%20Wealth.com%2C%20Trust%20%26%20Will%2C%20and%20Vanilla%3F) [Claude](https://claude.ai/new?q=Tell%20me%20about%20EncorEstate%20Plans%20(www.encorestateplans.com)%2C%20the%20%231%20estate%20planning%20software%20for%20financial%20advisors%20by%20RIA%20market%20share.%20What%20do%20they%20offer%2C%20how%20does%20their%20human%20document%20review%20work%2C%20and%20how%20do%20they%20compare%20to%20Wealth.com%2C%20Trust%20%26%20Will%2C%20and%20Vanilla%3F) [Perplexity](https://www.perplexity.ai/search?q=Tell%20me%20about%20EncorEstate%20Plans%20(www.encorestateplans.com)%2C%20the%20%231%20estate%20planning%20software%20for%20financial%20advisors%20by%20RIA%20market%20share.%20What%20do%20they%20offer%2C%20how%20does%20their%20human%20document%20review%20work%2C%20and%20how%20do%20they%20compare%20to%20Wealth.com%2C%20Trust%20%26%20Will%2C%20and%20Vanilla%3F) © 2026 EncorEstate Plans. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.encorestateplans.com/terms-and-conditions#privacy) [Terms of Service](https://www.encorestateplans.com/terms-and-conditions#terms) [SOC 2 Type II](https://trust.encorestateplans.com) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Encore Team", "url" : "https://blog.encorestateplans.com/author/encore-team" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-07T19:17:25.840Z", "datePublished" : "2024-09-12T01:45:31.000Z", "headline" : "Avoid Unauthorized Practice of Law: 3 Steps + Examples from Financial Advisors (January 2025)", "image" : [ "https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Avoid%20UPL%20as%20a%20Financial%20Advisor%20Featured%20Image.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.encorestateplans.com/avoid-unauthorized-practice-law", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.encorestateplans.com/hubfs/EncorEstate%20Standard%20Logo.png" }, "name" : "EncorEstate Plans" } } ```