The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is the professional body who promotes high professional standards and education for all of its members

Becoming a Full STEP Member is a benchmark many solicitors strive for: it is the top professional qualification for a Wills, Trusts and Probate solicitor. Full qualification allows a practitioner to demonstrate their knowledge, passion and commitment towards their specialist line of work.

The process to become STEP qualified is highly rigorous. Practitioners who are studying for the STEP Diploma must complete four modules – Administration of Trusts, Administration of Estates, Taxation of Trusts and Estates, and Trust and Estate Accounting.

After months of studying, which is mainly conducted independently in the practitioners own time, a three hour exam must be passed. Once all four exams have been passed, the practitioner, who must have at least two years’ experience in the profession, can then apply to become a Full Member.

What are the benefits?

The STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates equips a solicitor with both an academic and professional qualification recognised throughout the industry. Full members are able to show a full knowledge of the most up-to-date issues impacting upon trusts and estates, providing assurance that the solicitor is both a trusted advisor and a highly qualified trust and estate practitioner.

The Highest Professional Standards

STEP members are expected to uphold the key professional and ethical standards as set out in the STEP Codes of Conduct. The Codes of Professional Conduct provide a clear set of principles for a member’s professional activity, giving each the understanding they need to deliver to the highest expectations.

For example, when creating a Trust in a Will, STEP members will abide by the Codes of Conduct and the STEP Standard Provisions of Best Practice.

What does this mean for a client?

It means:

• • They will receive the best advice,
  • From a regulated expert,
  • Given and written in the clearest manner to understand.

Being STEP qualified gives a solicitor the highest level of credibility and therefore an unrivalled edge over other solicitor and services out there. Dealing with a solicitor who is STEP qualified also gives the client the assurance that they are dealing with something who truly knows what they are doing so that problems do not occur further down the line.

Did you know?

Hayley Beeching of Futurity Wills and Estates hold the following STEP qualifications
STEP Certificate in Trusts and Estates – England and Wales
STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates – England & Wales

To get in touch with Hayley Beeching please contact her on 02393552564 or by email on hayley@futuritywills.co.uk