Estate planning systems have evolved from simple form repositories to intelligent platforms that assist attorneys in document assembly and population based on client data. These systems often guide users through a structured, menu-driven process, streamlining document preparation. Unlike traditional systems, which rely heavily on manual input, recently developed platforms promise seamless integration of client-provided information into final documents. However, many practitioners stick with legacy systems inherited from mentors, making them less inclined to switch, even when newer systems offer superior technology. Here we encourage you to look beyond your current workflow solutions.

Some systems cater primarily to financial advisors and lack attorney-specific modules, which we will not cover here. The choice of an estate planning platform can significantly impact an attorney's practice. Some systems offer greater flexibility in drafting, while others prioritize ease of use and client integration but may limit customization.

A common trade-off is that systems promising seamless client data integration often provide fewer drafting options and tend to be more rigid. Conversely, older systems may offer greater drafting flexibility but lack modern integration features. Most attorneys, including the author of this review, have experience with only one or two systems. Therefore, the insights presented here are drawn from vendor websites, without value judgments or rankings. While we have aimed to cover major vendors, this is not an exhaustive list.

Thorough research is essential when selecting a system. Beyond reviewing vendor offerings, independent searches for “customer experience” or “independent reviews,” as well as discussions on platforms like Reddit, can provide invaluable user feedback. Few vendors offer trial periods, and most provide polished documentation that highlights the system in the best possible light.

InterActive Legal

1. Client Data Entry: InterActive Legal does not appear to allow direct client data entry. Document creation is attorney-controlled.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: Cloud-based system, but no clear information on third-party application integration.
3. Document Generation: Offers customizable templates for estate planning, elder law, and special needs planning, with state-specific compliance.
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: Regular updates ensure documents stay current with changing laws.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: Designed to be intuitive and user-friendly with guided drafting.
6. Security and Data Privacy: Provides secure, encrypted cloud storage for documents.
7. Workflow Automation: Automates drafting processes for consistent document generation.
8. Client Communication: No direct client collaboration tools mentioned; focuses on attorney-driven processes.
9. Pricing and Licensing: Pricing details require a demo request for specifics.
10. Support and Training: Offers comprehensive training resources, including live and recorded tutorials.
11. Mobile Access: Cloud-based access but no explicit mobile app mentioned. Likely accessible through mobile browsers.

WealthCounsel 

1. Client Data Entry: WealthCounsel describes itself as attorney-centric, meaning there’s no mention of direct client data entry, but attorneys control the document preparation and input process.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: The software is cloud-based, ensuring compatibility across Mac and PC. However, integration with third-party applications or services isn't explicitly highlighted, although they invite integration partners.
3. Document Generation: WealthCounsel offers highly customizable document drafting templates for estate planning, business law, and trust administration through its tools like Wealth Docx® and Wealth Tracx®.
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: The software ensures compliance with the latest legal and tax regulations, crucial for estate planning attorneys. They provide regular updates and ongoing legal education (CLE).
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: The platform offers interactive templates for both basic and complex legal documents, focusing on making the drafting process efficient and customizable. Members have access to various document libraries and a guided drafting system.
6. Security and Data Privacy: Wealth Counsel says security is a priority, with WealthCounsel providing secure, encrypted cloud storage for sensitive legal documents, ensuring compliance with data protection laws like CCPA and GDPR.
7. Workflow Automation: While complex automation features are not specifically mentioned, the platform offers tools to streamline document creation, client communication, and legal compliance, making it a solid fit for estate planning practitioners.
8. Client Communication: The platform enables seamless client communication through secure cloud-based sharing of drafts and documents.
9. Pricing and Licensing: WealthCounsel operates on a membership-based model, offering various tiers (e.g., Elite, Professional, Essential) with access to different software tools and resources depending on the level chosen.
10. Support and Training: Members are offered unlimited support, with access to live and on-demand training. Dedicated member support specialists are available, offering personal guidance as attorneys navigate the software.
11. Mobile Access: There’s no explicit mention of a dedicated mobile app, but since the platform is cloud-based, it is likely accessible via mobile browsers.

Yourefolio

1. Client Data Entry: Yourefolio offers a client-centric approach, allowing clients to input information directly into the system, which improves collaboration and streamlines data collection.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: Claims integration with a wide range of platforms, including Wealthbox, Redtail, Orion, and Clio CRM systems, providing seamless connections with CRM and financial planning tools 
3. Document Generation: Yourefolio claims simplified estate planning with automated, customizable templates covering the entire estate planning process, from start to finish.
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: There’s no explicit mention of legal update features.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: The platform prides itself on simplicity, offering a comprehensive, easy-to-navigate interface that integrates planning modules for professionals and clients alike.
6. Security and Data Privacy: Yourefolio ensures data security and privacy through encryption and compliance with security protocols, including detailed privacy policies 
7. Workflow Automation: The system automates key tasks such as beneficiary tracking and asset allocation, reducing manual work for estate planners.
8. Client Communication: The platform offers tools for enhanced client communication, with features for data entry and reviewing documents in real-time with advisors. There is also a client mobile app.
9. Pricing and Licensing: Pricing details are available under various plans for advisors and attorneys.
10. Support and Training: Yourefolio provides comprehensive support through a dedicated sales and support team, along with tutorials and user guides 
11. Mobile Access: While the platform is web-based, clients can use a mobile app to access important documents, instructions, and contacts

Vanilla

1. Client Data Entry: The platform does not explicitly focus on direct client data entry, but it offers tools for advisors to input client data and collaborate with clients via interactive visualizations. AI can analyze and visualize existing estate plans, so that non-attorney advisors can explain them to their clients.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: Vanilla integrates with major financial CRMs, financial planning tools, and other software, promising seamless workflow integration
3. Document Generation: It offers on-demand document creation for wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents by non-attorney advisors, but Vanilla markets to attorneys as well:
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: Vanilla’s AI reviews estate plans, ensuring updated and optimized strategies, including tax projections.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: The platform emphasizes ease with interactive estate visualizations, making complex plans accessible and understandable to clients 
6. Security and Data Privacy: Vanilla provides enterprise-grade security with SOC2 Type II compliance, ensuring data is well protected 
7. Workflow Automation: Automation is enhanced through AI-powered estate reviews and tax projections, streamlining manual processes.
8. Client Communication: The visualizations and interactive tools help advisors effectively communicate complex estate plans, bridging the gaps between advisor and client.
9. Pricing and Licensing: Pricing is customized based on the firm’s needs, requiring direct contact with sales for quotes.
10. Support and Training: Vanilla offers extensive resources, including client-facing materials, educational courses through Vanilla Academy, and on-demand support. 
11. Mobile Access: Not explicitly mentioned. 

ADAPT

1. Client Data Entry: ADAPT allows clients to respond to questionnaires or complete dynamic interviews, making direct client data entry a core feature.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: The platform is cloud-based but does not explicitly mention integration with third-party tools.
3. Document Generation: It offers customizable legal documents including wills, trusts, and advanced planning documents. 
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: ADAPT claims that they are regularly updated to comply with state laws.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: ADAPT claims an intuitive, interview-driven interface designed to simplify the estate planning process.
6. Security and Data Privacy: ADAPT states that it prioritizes security with a comprehensive privacy policy, ensuring data protection and compliance with legal standards.
7. Workflow Automation: Dynamic interviews help automate the document creation process, adapting to the needs of clients.
8. Client Communication: ADAPT allows advisors to gather client input remotely through cloud-based questionnaires, streamlining communication.
9. Pricing and Licensing: Pricing information is available under different packages like EP Drafter, EP Planner, and EP Professional. Free trials are offered.
10. Support and Training: ADAPT offers support through various resources, including live chat, and provides comprehensive documentation and expert assistance.
11. Mobile Access: Although a mobile app is not specifically mentioned, the platform's cloud-based nature ensures accessibility across devices.

Note: ADA Platform Technology, LLC, the parent company of ADAPT, is affiliated with FORE! Trust Software, which has been discontinued in favor of ADAPT.

Westlaw Form Builder (Lipman’s Estate Planning):

1. Client Data Entry: The platform does not provide direct client data entry but allows attorneys to input and reuse client information for multiple forms.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: Integrates with Westlaw for seamless access to cited statutory and analytical content, linking directly from forms to relevant laws.
3. Document Generation: Offers over 4,000 national and state-specific forms, including wills, trusts, and irrevocable trusts, with automated updates and customizable templates.
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: Continuously updated forms to ensure compliance, including links to current state and federal law codes.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: User-friendly with time-saving automation; attorneys can navigate forms in any preferred order.
6. Security and Data Privacy: Secure storage with foldering options for managing client documents.
7. Workflow Automation: Automates document assembly, reuse of client data, and links to relevant legal resources, reducing manual tasks.
8. Client Communication: Offers automated forms for client communication, including intake forms, letters, and fee agreements.
9. Pricing and Licensing: Subscription-based access to forms and Westlaw integration.
10. Support and Training: Offers support via Thomson Reuters and integrates with Westlaw resources.
11. Mobile Access: Provides mobile access through Westlaw’s mobile apps for iPad and Android devices.

Lawgic 

The drafting software has a ‘state neutral’ estate planning module, and specific modules for Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida. Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

1. Client Data Entry: Lawgic uses a question-and-answer format tailored for attorneys, where the attorney inputs client information to generate documents. No direct client data entry is mentioned.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: Lawgic does not explicitly mention integrations with third-party platforms but focuses on its own comprehensive estate planning tools.
3. Document Generation: The platform offers highly customizable legal documents for estate planning, including wills and trusts, using its patented Intelligent Legal Technology®.
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: Lawgic claims that documents are continuously updated by leading estate planning experts to comply with state-specific laws, ensuring reliable and accurate forms.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: Lawgic’s interface, which is described as intuitive, allows attorneys to efficiently generate complex estate planning documents through an interactive Q&A process that automatically tailors the documents to individual client needs.
6. Security and Data Privacy: Lawgic ensures secure document generation and storage, but specific encryption or privacy protocols are not detailed.
7. Workflow Automation: The intelligent Q&A session automates document drafting, speeding up the process and reducing the time spent on each estate plan.
8. Client Communication: While Lawgic doesn’t focus on direct client communication tools, the software generates client-friendly summaries of estate plans for clearer communication.
9. Pricing and Licensing: Lawgic states that its pricing is competitive and claims it pays for itself within the first or second use. Subscription and license details vary based on state-specific products.
10. Support and Training: Lawgic offers unlimited support and training at no additional cost, helping users get the most from the platform.
11. Mobile Access: There’s no explicit mention of mobile or app access, but the platform is available for desktop use.

CounselPro™8 by AAEPA 

1. Client Data Entry: CounselPro™8 allows attorneys to manage comprehensive client profiles, including asset inventories, but no direct client data entry is mentioned.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: Built on the Actionstep platform, it integrates client management, document generation, and marketing tools in one cloud-based system.
3. Document Generation: The software offers over 300 automated, customizable templates for estate planning documents like revocable trusts, wills, and charitable remainder trusts.
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: Documents are updated regularly by estate planning experts, ensuring compliance with current laws.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: The software features a streamlined dashboard to manage everything from appointments to client communication, making it easy to navigate.
6. Security and Data Privacy: The platform is cloud-based with secure storage, but specific details on encryption or privacy policies aren't highlighted.
7. Workflow Automation: The software automates document drafting, client communication (reminders, letters), and workflow management, improving efficiency.
8. Client Communication: CounselPro™8 includes tools for client communication, with over 300 pre-written letters and automatic reminders for meetings and tasks.
9. Pricing and Licensing: Specific pricing details are not provided upfront; interested attorneys are encouraged to contact the Academy for more information.
10. Support and Training: The Academy provides training for attorneys, with extensive support through its education and technology departments.
11. Mobile Access: Mobile-specific functionality is not explicitly mentioned.

Beyond Counsel

1. Client Data Entry: Clients can complete Online Intake Questionnaires that integrate directly into the drafting system, minimizing manual data entry.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: No specific third-party integrations mentioned; focuses on streamlining internal processes.
3. Document Generation: Customizable estate planning templates, including wills and trusts, are available.
4. Compliance: No recent updates since 2019, raising concerns about current compliance.
5. User Interface: Designed for ease, focusing on streamlining attorney workflows.
6. Security: No detailed information on security protocols.
7. Workflow Automation: Automated drafting and integrated questionnaires reduce manual tasks.
8. Client Communication: Facilitated through online questionnaires.
9. Pricing: Subscription-based; details are not publicly listed.
10. Support: Unclear activity since 2019, possibly affecting support quality.
11. Mobile Access: Likely cloud-based access, though no mobile app mentioned.

Hartog Estate Planning Drafting System by LexisNexis

1. Client Data Entry: The Hartog system is attorney-driven, meaning there’s no direct client data entry. Attorneys manually input client information and utilize pre-populated templates for drafting.
2. Integration with Other Modalities: The system integrates seamlessly with LexisNexis research tools, allowing users to link directly to relevant statutes, case law, and primary sources. This is valuable for estate planners needing to access updated legal information while drafting documents 
3. Document Generation: The system offers comprehensive document drafting capabilities using HotDocs technology. It includes a vast library of over 4,000 forms for wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and more complex documents like life insurance trusts, charitable trusts, and special needs trusts. These templates are fully customizable to meet client-specific needs 
4. Compliance and Legal Updates: One of the advertised Hartog system’s strengths is its regular updates, ensuring that all forms and legal documents are compliant with the latest estate planning laws and tax regulations. It is particularly well-suited for California practitioners but includes provisions for national estate planning.
5. User Interface and Ease of Use: The interface, powered by HotDocs, is described as intuitive, allowing attorneys to navigate and fill out forms efficiently. The system provides question-and-answer prompts that guide users through the drafting process, helping them tailor documents to client needs.
6. Security and Data Privacy: As part of LexisNexis, the Hartog drafting system benefits from industry-standard security measures, including encryption and secure cloud storage. However, specific details about its security protocols are not widely discussed.
7. Workflow Automation: The system automates significant parts of the estate planning process, including drafting and revising documents based on client inputs. The ability to reuse client data across different forms also enhances efficiency, particularly for complex trusts and estates 
8. Client Communication: While the system does not explicitly focus on client communication tools, it allows attorneys to generate client-friendly summaries and documents for review. This can facilitate better understanding during meetings.
9. Pricing and Licensing: The Hartog system is subscription-based, and pricing may vary depending on the number of users and updates needed. It requires a yearly renewal, with costs potentially increasing over time based on updates and legal developments.
10. Support and Training: LexisNexis provides extensive support, including customer service, technical help, and access to legal experts for guidance on using the software. 
11. Mobile Access: The Hartog drafting system does not specifically advertise mobile functionality, 

The system was previously a download for your computer but has since been moved online, where it is available as part of various packages. A standalone subscription is available but is not much marketed. 

Conclusion 

Estate planning systems have made significant strides, moving from simple form collections to sophisticated, data-driven platforms that can greatly enhance the efficiency of legal practices. However, choosing the right system is a critical decision that requires careful consideration of factors such as document flexibility, client data integration, workflow automation, and system updates. While some systems prioritize ease of use and seamless client integration, they may sacrifice customization options, and older systems may lack the modern tools necessary for a modernizing legal environment.

Ultimately, the choice of an estate planning platform should align with the specific needs of your practice. Attorneys must weigh the benefits of client-driven data entry, compliance updates, and document automation against the limitations of each system. Conducting thorough research, including independent user reviews and vendor trials, can provide valuable insights. Whether you opt for a well-known name or a newer solution, selecting the right tool can streamline your workflow, enhance client communication, and help you stay compliant with evolving legal standards.

A podcast that summarized the points of this article is available here: