Specialty
Estate planning advisors
Independent advisors on Valora who specialize in estate planning.
We don't have a estate planning specialist listed yet, but the advisors below work with clients nationwide and can tell you if this is something they cover.
James Conole, CFP®
Founder · Root Financial
Works with people who are within about ten years of retirement and want a clear plan for getting there.
Kevin Lum, CFP®
Foundry Financial
Host of Retirement Made Simple, focused on making retirement decisions clear and straightforward.
Eric, CFP®
The PeakFP
A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional specializing in retirement income planning.
Even Better Retirement
Retirement planning
“You saved money for a lifetime, now it’s time to have fun.”
Common questions
What documents make up a basic estate plan?
A will, a revocable living trust (in many states), durable financial power of attorney, healthcare directive, and correct beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and insurance. Beneficiary forms override your will, so they're part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Do I need a trust or is a will enough?
A will goes through probate; a funded revocable trust usually avoids it, keeps affairs private, and handles incapacity better. In states with slow or expensive probate, trusts are common; elsewhere a will may suffice. The answer depends on your state, asset types, and family situation.
How often should an estate plan be updated?
Every three to five years, and immediately after major events: marriage, divorce, a child, a death, a large change in wealth, moving states, or a business sale. Estate tax law changes also trigger reviews - exemption levels have shifted repeatedly.
What does a financial advisor do in estate planning if they don't draft documents?
They keep the balance sheet the plan is built on current: retitling accounts into the trust, aligning beneficiaries with the plan, modeling estate tax exposure, and coordinating between your attorney, CPA, and insurance. Most failed plans fail on funding and coordination, not drafting.
How does estate tax work and should I worry about it?
Federal estate tax applies only above a large exemption, which is scheduled to change with legislation; some states levy their own estate or inheritance tax at much lower thresholds. If your estate could plausibly exceed the exemption, plan early - the most effective strategies take years to execute.
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