STEP Diploma in Trust and Estate Planning - Ireland

This diploma, practical in approach, covers the creation of wills, the operation of trusts, the associated tax implications and overall estate planning for clients.

What does this qualification cover and how is it delivered?

The course is divided into five modules covering the topics below:

  • Estate Planning
  • Wills & Probate
  • Trusts
  • Administration of Trusts and Estates
  • Taxation of Trusts and Estates

How is it delivered?

The course runs over six months and is divided into five distinct modules, with two supplementary workshops. There are two closed book examinations held at the end of the course which will include topics covered in all modules.

All lectures take place in the Education Centre in Blackhall Place. However to facilitate those students unable to attend in Dublin on a weekly basis, lectures are also webcast ‘live’ on the Law Society of Ireland’s secure internet site. Students can send instant messages via the webcast page to the course leader/course tutor in the lecture theatre and their question will be put to the lecturer.

Lectures are archived within the course website for the duration of the course and can be viewed at a later date on demand by all students. STEP Ireland encourages students to either attend on site or watch the lectures live and only use the ‘catch up’ on demand facility as a default.

What are the benefits to me and my employer?

What are the benefits to me and my employer?

The diploma course is designed to enable successful candidates to advise clients on all aspects of the creation of wills, the operation of trusts, associated tax implications and overall estate planning for clients. Practical in its approach, this course provides participants with real life situations that are faced by practitioners and gives real solutions to problems encountered.

Who would find this qualification useful and what are the entry requirements?

Who would find this qualification useful?

This course is intended for people who have worked in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning, probate and administration of estates within Ireland.

The course is open to solicitors, other professionals who deal with trust and estate matters and those with an interest in the subject. It will also appeal to practitioners dealing with wills, probate, taxation and administration of estates.

What are the entry requirements?

Eligible applicants include the following:

  • Solicitors who have completed the advanced probate and taxation module on PPCII within the last five years.
  • Any person who has relevant work experience of at least two years in the area and one or more of the following qualifications:
    • Solicitor
    • Barrister
    • Certified Accountant
    • Chartered Accountant
    • Associate or Fellow of the Irish Taxation Institute
    • Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (Trustee Diploma)
    • Associate of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland (Diploma in Wealth Management)
    • Members of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives
    • A professional qualification deemed equivalent by the Law Society and STEP
  • If you are relying on work experience for entry to the course, your application must be accompanied by a cover letter setting out that experience.

    For details of the latest course dates, please visit the STEP Ireland website.

Further course details

For further information on the STEP Diploma for Ireland and passing the entry requirements, please visit the STEP Ireland website.