Hi, I'm currently a 3L and I want to work in estate planning law. Some attorneys I've spoken with in the field suggest going for an LLM in Tax, and I was wondering if anyone here has experience in estate planning and how essential or helpful an LLM in Tax is to the field.

I'm clerking next year in Philadelphia, and am considering applying to Villanova's Estate Planning Certificate program. It is NOT an advanced degree, but a Certificate based on law graduate level courses in Taxes and Estate Planning. Like an LLM, I'm uncertain how much this would help in a career in estate planning, and it's a significant investment in time and money.

There's a lot to consider, but it seems like you've answered some of your own questions in a roundabout way. (eg. It may be too much money for too little reward.)

You're clerking in PA, so it sounds like you're not interested in other programs due to geographics. Does Villa offer the E.P. certificate as a stand-alone option? I thought it was an "emphasis" option that is part of getting your tax LLM or MST.

What's your goal as far as the type of firm you want to work for? Big? Medium? Small? Solo? What part of the country you want to end up living in? Does the state you eventually want to practice in offer an E.P. specialist exam that may provide you with sufficient credibility so that the EP certificate doesn't add much value to you in the firm? Would a firm pay for your LLM after a year on the job?

What will the state of the estate tax be after the 2008 elections? Sure, the super rich will always need estate planning, but there is a very real possibility that the tax will be moved and indexed up to where 95% of us will just need basic A or A-B trusts - and you don't need an LLM do that kind of estate planning. (Conversely, tax will probably always require specialists.)

Lot's to consider...!