The posting
Job Description
At Cetera, we strive for continuous improvement and excellence in the client experience. The Estate Planning Advisor serves as a client-facing resource who educates clients on estate planning concepts, identifies planning objectives, and facilitates the preparation and implementation of estate planning documents through the firm’s approved third-party estate planning platform. This role partners closely with Wealth Advisors, Financial Planners, clients, and outside legal professionals to help align estate planning strategies with clients’ broader financial goals.
The Estate Planning Advisor does not provide legal advice, draft legal documents, or establish attorney-client relationships. The role acts as an educator, coordinator, and facilitator, helping clients understand available estate planning options and navigate the process effectively and efficiently.
What you will do
Client Education and Consultation
- Conduct estate planning discovery meetings with clients and prospective clients.
- Educate clients on fundamental estate planning concepts and introduce more complex strategies when appropriate.
- Explain how estate planning integrates with a client’s broader financial plan.
- Identify potential gaps, inconsistencies, or deficiencies in a client’s existing estate plan.
Estate Plan Facilitation
- Guide clients through the estate planning intake and information-gathering process.
- Review completed intake forms for accuracy and completeness.
- Coordinate document generation and help clients navigate the firm’s approved online estate planning platform.
- Monitor the document creation process and facilitate document execution and implementation.
Advisor and Team Collaboration
- Partner with Wealth Advisors to identify estate planning opportunities within client relationships.
- Communicate document creation and implementation progress to the advisory team.
- Collaborate with tax professionals, attorneys, trustees, and other specialists when appropriate.
- Escalate complex legal questions to outside attorneys.
Document and Implementation Support
- Review draft estate planning documents with clients for completeness and accuracy against client-provided information.
- Help clients understand the nature and structure of estate planning documents without providing legal advice.
- Coordinate trust funding discussions and implementation follow-up.
- Support beneficiary designation and asset ownership reviews for assets managed both within and outside the firm.
- Maintain accurate estate planning records and documentation.
Compliance and Risk Management
- Operate within all regulatory, ethical, and legal guidelines governing non-attorney consultative estate planning services.
- Clearly disclose the non-attorney nature and scope of the role.
- Avoid providing legal, tax, or investment advice outside the scope of the position.
- Follow firm compliance procedures and documentation standards.
- Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive client information.
Business Development and Growth
- Promote estate planning engagement among existing client relationships.
- Develop strategies to attract new business through estate planning and introduce estate planning clients to other services offered by the firm.
- Help advisors recognize and pursue appropriate estate planning opportunities.
- Support client retention by facilitating positive client outcomes.
- Contribute to the firm’s overall value proposition.
What you need to have
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Financial Planning, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
- One to three years of experience in estate planning, trust administration, financial planning, wealth management, or private banking.
- Juris Doctor degree preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Deep understanding of estate planning fundamentals and familiarity with trust and estate terminology.
- Ability to discuss complex estate planning concepts at a high level while remaining within the non-attorney scope of the role.
- Working knowledge of retirement and insurance planning fundamentals.
- Strong client interviewing, discovery, relationship management, presentation, communication, problem-solving, and process-management skills.
- Professional, empathetic, client-focused, detail-oriented, organized, proactive, and comfortable discussing sensitive family and financial matters.
Compensation
The base annual salary range for this role is $72,000-$102,000, salary depends on a wide array of factors, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and location. Base annual salary may also differ significantly due to geography and cost of labor considerations.
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