106407-Estate Planning Advisor

Cetera Financial Group•Leawood, KS

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Estate Planning Advisor is a client-facing resource who educates clients on estate planning concepts, identifies planning objectives, and facilitates the preparation and implementation of estate planning documents through the firm’s approved third-party estate planning platform. The role works closely with Wealth Advisors, Financial Planners, clients, and outside legal professionals to align estate planning strategies with clients’ broader financial goals. The advisor acts as an educator, coordinator, and facilitator, helping clients understand estate planning options and navigate the process. The role does not provide legal advice, draft legal documents, or establish attorney-client relationships. It operates within applicable regulatory, ethical, and legal guidelines for non-attorney estate planning services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Financial Planning, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
One to three years of experience in estate planning, trust administration, financial planning, wealth management, or private banking.
Deep understanding of estate planning fundamentals and familiarity with trust and estate terminology.
Ability to discuss complex estate planning concepts at a high level while remaining within the non-attorney scope of the role.
Working knowledge of retirement and insurance planning fundamentals.
Strong client interviewing, discovery, relationship management, presentation, communication, problem-solving, and process-management skills.
Professional, empathetic, client-focused, detail-oriented, organized, and proactive approach, with comfort discussing sensitive family and financial matters.

Nice To Haves

Juris Doctor degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct estate planning discovery meetings with clients and prospective clients.
Educate clients on fundamental estate planning concepts and introduce more complex strategies when appropriate.
Explain how estate planning integrates with a client’s broader financial plan.
Identify potential gaps, inconsistencies, or deficiencies in clients’ existing estate plans.
Guide clients through estate planning intake and information gathering, and review completed forms for accuracy and completeness.
Coordinate document generation through the firm’s approved online estate planning platform and help clients navigate the platform.
Monitor document creation and facilitate document execution and implementation.
Partner with Wealth Advisors to identify estate planning opportunities and communicate document creation and implementation progress to the advisory team.
Collaborate with tax professionals, attorneys, trustees, and other specialists when appropriate, and escalate complex legal questions to outside attorneys.
Review draft estate planning documents with clients for completeness and accuracy against client-provided information.
Help clients understand the nature and structure of estate planning documents without providing legal advice.
Coordinate trust funding discussions and implementation follow-up.
Support beneficiary designation and asset ownership reviews for assets managed within and outside the firm.
Maintain accurate estate planning records and documentation, follow firm compliance procedures and documentation standards, and protect sensitive client information.
Clearly disclose the non-attorney nature and scope of the role, and avoid legal, tax, or investment advice outside the position’s scope.
Promote estate planning engagement among existing clients and develop strategies to attract new business through estate planning.
Help advisors recognize and pursue appropriate estate planning opportunities, introduce estate planning clients to other firm services, and support client retention through positive client outcomes.
Contribute to the firm’s overall value proposition.