Estate Planning Additional Resources

SevenPonds recommends the following resources for our readers who need more information or assistance in estate planning.

National Organizations

The American Bar Association

The American Bar Association provides a detailed overview of the many facets of estate planning in its website section Estate Planning Info & FAQs. The ABA also offers the public a state-by-state directory of bar associations, which can assist you in finding an estate planning attorney in your area. 

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

Established in Los Angeles in 1949, the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel is a nonprofit association of lawyers and law professors with expertise in the preparation of wills and trusts; estate planning; and probate procedure and the administration of trusts and estates. Its website offers consumers free estate planning tools, including an extensive video library.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Established in 1987, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is a non-profit association dedicated to helping the elderly and their families plan for long-term needs, including incapacity and long-term care, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, and healthcare decision-making. The organization has about 5,000 members in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and Canada, and provides an online directory where you can search for an elder law attorney in your area. 

Education and Planning 

ACTEC Estate Planning Essentials 

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel provides a strong educational video library covering wills, trusts, tax planning, asset protection, retirement assets, and charitable giving.

Attorney Directories

Martindale Hubbell

Martindale Hubbell provides a directory of over 1 million attorneys throughout the United States and is the only national organization that provides peer and consumer reviews for most of the attorneys listed on the site. You can search by area of expertise and location to find an estate planning attorney near you. 

Nolo 

One of the most extensive and respected consumer resources for legal advice online, Nolo began as a publisher of do-it-yourself legal guides in 1971. In the 40 years since its inception, it has evolved into a robust online platform with articles on nearly every aspect of U.S. law, including wills, trusts and probate. It also offers an interactive guide to finding a lawyer that allows you to search by area of expertise and location to find an estate planning attorney near you. 

FindLaw

Similar to Nolo, FindLaw is an extensive online resource that provides consumers with accurate and up-to-date information on most aspects of U.S. law, including estate planning, wills and trusts. It also offers a lawyer directory that allows you to search for an attorney by practice area and/or location and many DIY legal forms, which can be downloaded for a small fee. 

State Bar Association

SevenPonds also recommends that you find your state bar association. Many state bar associations offer free or low-cost legal information, forms, or lawyer referral services for estate planning. Your local bar is often one of the best starting points for state-specific rules.

Notable Estate Planning Experts

Trusted Legal Experts (ACTEC Leadership)

Margaret G. Lodise
As the 2026–2027 President of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Lodise is at the top of her profession. ACTEC is a highly selective, peer-elected national organization of top trust attorneys, and her presidency cements her status as an industry-wide thought leader.

Peter S. Gordon
As the outgoing 2025–2026 ACTEC President, Peter S. Gordon has spent decades shaping national trust law. Based in Delaware and widely recognized as one of the most progressive and business-friendly trust jurisdictions in the United States, Gordon utilizes unique state statutes to shield generational wealth from external liabilities.

Carrie M. Leontitsis
Carrie Leontitsis represents the modern evolution of estate planning. Rather than operating in a traditional legal vacuum, her practice focuses heavily on the integration of legal document drafting (Wills and Trusts) with long-term, proactive wealth advisory and financial planning. She leverages her legal credentials alongside advanced wealth planning designations (like the Accredited Estate Planner® designation) to bridge the historical gap between an individual’s lawyer and their financial planner.

How to Verify an Expert

If you are looking for a local expert with national standing, use these three directories:

ACTEC “Find a Fellow”
The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) is an invitation-only organization of lawyers recognized as preeminent in trusts and estates law. Becoming a Fellow is considered the most rigorous peer-reviewed credential in the field—candidates are vetted for exceptional skill, integrity, and substantial contributions to the area. Using the “Find a Fellow” directory connects you with attorneys who have met the highest bar of professional recognition, not just a basic license.

NAEPC (National Association of Estate Planners & Councils)
The National Association of Estate Planners & Councils awards the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designation to professionals (often attorneys, CPAs, or financial advisors) who already hold a recognized estate planning credential and have completed advanced graduate-level coursework. Earning the AEP® signals a broad, multidisciplinary commitment to estate planning, demonstrating that the advisor meets rigorous experience and continuing education standards beyond their initial certification.