National Association of Estate Planners & Councils

The Boston Estate Planning Council (BEPC) is a member of the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) an organization of professional estate planners and affiliated estate planning councils. NAEPC focuses on establishing and monitoring the highest professional and educational standards, and fosters public awareness of the quality of services rendered by professionals who met these standards.

NAEPC Member Benefits

NAEPC provides numerous resources to its membership of designees, affiliated local estate planning councils, and members of affiliated local estate planning councils. Learn More

NAEPC Journal of Estate & Tax Planning

As a member of NAEPC one of your benefits includes access to the NAEPC Journal of Estate & Tax Planning. The Journal provides regular updates on important information regarding the ever changing world of estate and tax planning.

Council of Excellence Awards

Created in 2014, the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils' Leonard H. Neiman & Walter Lee Davis, Jr. Council of Excellence Award recognizes councils that are successful in their efforts to provide a strong multi-disciplinary council for their members.

BEPC was honored as a Council of Excellence in 2025. This award is the highest honor available to an estate planning council affiliated with NAEPC. The award recognizes councils that provide a strong multi-disciplinary environment for estate planning professionals within their community, that truly work to grow their programs and services, and that provide an exceptional membership experience. Link to the press release.

NAEPC Designation Programs

A primary goal of NAEPC is to encourage specialization programs to increase recognition and acceptance of estate planning as a specialty. NAEPC offers two specialization programs:

Accredited Estate Planner (AEP^®)

The AEP® designation is for individuals who have met the requisite requirements, including estate planning experience and recommendations by colleagues. All individuals obtaining the AEP® designation demonstrate commitment to the team approach in planning. Learn More

If you are applying for the AEP^® designation directly through NAEPC and require verification of your BEPC membership, please complete the NAEPC verification form and email to bepc@bepc.org for review and signature.

Council-nominated AEP^® Designees

Each year, BEPC nominates a limited number of its members for the AEP^® designation. The Council Outreach Committee oversees the annual application/self-nomination process. We encourage those interested in earning the AEP^® designation to apply/self-nominate each fall. The application is usually posted by October providing approximately two months for members to apply.

The application cycle is now open! Submit your application by December 15, 2025 via email to Council Outreach Committee Chair Kristina Foreman.

FY26 Council-nominated AEP Application

Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS)

The EPLS program is available to attorneys practicing in the estate planning arena. Learn More

NAEPC Events

Robert G. Alexander Webinar Series

Annual NAEPC Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Conference