We accept new member applications year-round.

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How it Works

1. Review Criteria: Please carefully review our member categories and membership criteria before applying.
   
2. Apply: Fill out the online application. (See application checklist below.)
3. We Review: The Board meets about six times a year to review applications, among other business. (NOTE: There might be a waiting list for certain membership categories, so please apply as soon as you are able.)
4. If Accepted, Pay Dues: If you're accepted, you'll get an email from us with an invoice for your first year dues (which will be prorated).
5. Attend Events: Once we receive your dues, your membership is considered official and activated. You are now eligible for member pricing at events and granted access to the full membership directory online.

Attendance Policy

Before any new member joins, we want to make sure the member is aware of an important part of our bylaws: the attendance policy.

Article II, Section 10, Paragraph A, Item v of the Council’s bylaws states:

"Any member, who fails to attend at least three regular membership meetings during any fiscal year, shall be subject to membership termination at the discretion of the Board by a majority vote of the members of the Board present at the meeting in which the matter is addressed. The Council fiscal year is July 1 to June 30." (emphasis added)

Member Categories

There are six membership categories:

1. Academic: Individuals whose principal profession involves serving as a professor or other academic in a college, university, or other accredited educational facility shall be assigned to this category and no other. An applicant will meet the requirements of this category where such individual regularly teaches one or more courses related to estate planning.
   
   
2. Accountant: Applicants (other than attorneys practicing law) whose professional responsibilities include the regular preparation of tax returns shall be assigned to the Accountants category and no other. In addition, individuals employed by firms (other than law firms) where a significant portion of such firms’ professionals regularly prepare tax returns but who do not themselves prepare tax returns shall be assigned to the Accountants category and no other. An applicant will meet the requirements for membership in the Accountants category where such applicant regularly prepares tax returns related to estate planning and administration, and also where such applicant regularly advises clients on tax and other matters related to estate planning and administration.
   
   
3. Attorney: Applicants involved in the active practice of law shall be assigned to the Attorneys category and no other category. An attorney will meet the requirements for membership in the Attorneys category if such individual is actively involved in the drafting of estate plans or elements thereof, the administration of elements of such plans, or in litigation relating to such plans.
   
   
4. Financial Services Provider: Applicants employed by financial service firms (other than trust companies) shall be assigned to the Financial Service Provider category and no other. This is true even where the applicant is not involved in giving investment or other financial advice. An applicant will meet the requirements for membership in the Financial Service Provider category if such applicant regularly discusses estate planning with clients and/or regularly assists in the implementation of estate plans for clients.
   
   
5. Trust Officer: Applicants employed by trust companies shall be assigned to the Trust Officers category and no other. In addition, applicants whose principal business is to serve as the trustee of one or more trusts shall be assigned to the Trust Officers category and no other. An applicant will meet the requirements of the Trust Officers category if such applicant regularly serves as a trustee of a trust, is officially designated as a trust officer by his or her employer, holds himself or herself out to the public as a professional trustee, and/or is employed by a trust company and regularly advises clients or his or her employer on tax or other matters related to estate planning and trust and estate administration.
   
   
6. (Other) At Large: Applicants not assignable to any other category based on the foregoing criteria shall be assigned to the at-large category. Gift planning specialists and valuation professionals, for example, shall be assigned to this category. An applicant will meet the requirements of this category where such applicant is regularly involved in aspects of estate planning appropriate to his or her profession.

NOTE: Most members are accountants, attorneys, financial services providers, and trust officers.

Membership Criteria

In order to apply for membership, you must meet the following criteria.

• Education and Certifications: You will need to have an appropriate graduate degree and/or professional certification or designation. These include but are not necessarily be limited to JD, CPA, CTFA, CFP, CLU, or ChFC. (NOTE: having a MBA degree alone shall not be sufficient!)
  
• Estate Planning Activities: In order to be approved for membership in the Council, your current business activities must be significantly involved in the formulation, implementation, and/or explanation of estate planning strategies and techniques or in litigation relating to estates, trusts and beneficiaries. Unfortunately, the sale, disposition, procurement and management of assets, without more, is not sufficient to support an application for membership.
• Five Years or More: You must have at least five years of experience in estate planning activities, as defined above.
• Local: This chapter is focused on planners living in and/or doing business in the City and County of San Francisco. 
• Reputation and Good Standing: Of course, you'll need a good reputation and a clean professional record.

Application Checklist

You will need to gather the following information to complete your application.

Documents and Info

• Decide Your Category: What membership category are you applying for?
• Email Consent from Two Sponsoring Members: Upload copies of emails or messages (e.g. PDF of email) from two current SFEPC members in good standing who are willing to sponsor your nomination. Please note that these individuals can't be from the same company. For example, one member could be from your firm, but you will need someone from another firm as well. (Here's an email template you can use to solicit consent.)
• Resume or CV: Upload your current resume or CV.
• LinkedIn Profile URL
• Licenses & Certifications: List out all current professional licenses and certifications.
• License Numbers: If applicable, you'll need your Bar and CFP numbers. (We need this for continuing education credits.)

Short Answer Responses

• Are you a member of any other estate planning council(s)? If yes, please list which one(s).
• Tell us about the four most recent professional development courses related to estate planning, including the 1) course name, 2) course sponsor (e.g. CLU, AICPA, CLE), and 3) course date(s).
• Briefly describe your work in estate planning. For example, what percent of your practice is related to trust and estate matters? What types of activities do you do? (e.g. drafting documents, preparing estate tax returns, or administering trusts.) 
• Why do you want to join SFEPC? 

• Bylaws: If you are accepted as a member, you agree to abide by the bylaws of SFEPC. 
• Attendance Policy: We ask you confirm your understanding of our attendance policy.
• Photo Consent: We ask that you confirm your understanding of our photo consent policy.