How to check who's qualified to draft your will and plan your estate

You need someone who understands your assets, your dependants and the law that governs what happens after you die. But "estate planner" isn't a protected title in South Africa — anyone can call themselves one. The real question isn't whether someone sounds knowledgeable; it's what proof they can show you right now.

Search the registers first

Start with the obvious: ask for their professional registration number and verify it yourself. If they're a lawyer, search the Law Society of South Africa roll of attorneys. If they claim to be a financial adviser, request their Financial Advisor Registration number and check the Financial Sector Conduct Authority register. Some estate planners hold an IFA (Independent Financial Adviser) accreditation through a body like FAIS — ask which one, then confirm online that they're current and in good standing.

If they're vague about which register applies to them, or they say "I don't need to be registered because I work independently," that's a red flag. Legitimate advisers know exactly which regulator oversees them and can prove it in seconds. Do not rely on their word. Spend five minutes on your phone verifying this before you even meet them.

Ask for proof of qualifications

Requesting a qualification is not rude — it's sensible. A genuine estate planner will have completed formal study relevant to estates, trusts, tax law or financial planning. This might be a law degree, an honours in estate planning, a STEP qualification (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), or an equivalent tertiary programme. They should be able to show you the certificate or produce it within a few days.

The qualification should be recent enough that they're keeping their knowledge current. Ask whether they attend professional development courses, seminars or workshops each year. Estate law and tax law change; someone relying on knowledge from 15 years ago will miss traps. If they can't name a single course they've done in the past two years, query why.

Check their track record through real references

Ask for the contact details of three to five clients they've helped in the past two years — specifically people with a setup similar to yours (married with kids, business owner, blended family, whatever applies). Do not accept names without numbers; actually phone those people. Ask what they were stuck on when they called the adviser, what the adviser delivered, how clear the process was, and whether they'd hire them again.

Listen for specifics. Someone who says "They explained everything really clearly" is less useful than someone who says "They helped me understand why I needed a trust instead of just putting everything in my will." References who remember details and speak unprompted about what was fixed are more reliable than glowing generalities.

If the adviser refuses to give you references, or only offers friends and family, assume there's a reason they don't want you talking to actual paying clients.

Spot red flags in your first conversation

When you phone or meet them, listen for clarity. A qualified estate planner should ask you questions before offering solutions — about your income, your dependants, whether you own property, whether you have debts, and whether any of your family circumstances are complicated. If they pitch you a solution in the first five minutes without understanding your situation, they're not tailoring advice; they're selling you a template.

Be wary of anyone who quotes a fixed price without seeing your full picture, or who promises to rush your will through in a day. Estate planning done properly takes time to gather information and think through scenarios. Speed and cheap fees can indicate they're cutting corners.

Finally, check how they'll stay in touch. A responsible adviser should confirm in writing what you've discussed, what they're doing next, and when you'll hear back. If they're vague about process, or if they take your money and disappear for months, that's not professional negligence yet — but it's a warning sign of how disorganised they might be when your estate is being wound up.

Once you've done these checks, you'll have real evidence of their standing and experience. Strove has verified estate planners in your area ready to help — you can compare a few and use these checks to narrow down who feels trustworthy enough to handle something this important.