The practice of estate planning has always been about precision, strategy, and trust. But in today’s legal world, precision alone isn’t enough. Clients expect faster results, flawless documentation, and a seamless experience. Attorneys, meanwhile, are balancing complex laws, competitive pressures, and the daily grind of running a business. That’s where estate planning software comes in. Law firms are allocating more and more budget to digital tools. It has been said, “Year-over-year (YOY) investment in technology at law firms regularly outpaces inflation, e.g. 7.6 % YOY tech investment growth in 2024.” (Source)
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything estate planning attorneys need to know about modern drafting and workflow solutions. We’ll explore what estate planning software is, why it’s become essential in 2025, what features to look for, how it impacts ROI, and how leading solutions like LWP’s STEPS™ compare.
This is your one-stop resource to understand how technology is reshaping estate planning practices—and how your firm can benefit.
What Is Estate Planning Software?
Estate planning software is a technology platform designed specifically to streamline the drafting, management, and delivery of estate planning documents and workflows. Unlike generic legal drafting tools, estate planning software focuses on the unique needs of estate planners—covering wills, trusts, healthcare directives, Medicaid qualification, asset protection, probate, and more.
Instead of manually drafting documents or relying on a patchwork of systems, attorneys can use estate planning software to:
- Enter client information once and have it populate across multiple documents.
- Generate compliant wills, trusts, and directives faster and with fewer errors.
- Model different planning scenarios (e.g., Medicaid eligibility or asset transfers).
- Track workflows from client intake to case close.
- Measure firm performance using built-in reports and dashboards.
Think of it as the operating system for your estate planning practice—a central hub that connects drafting, compliance, client experience, and business management.
👉 Related reading: [Estate Planning Drafting Software vs. Generic Legal Software: What’s the Difference?]
Rising Adoption: How Many Law Firms Are Moving Toward Estate Planning Software?
While there’s limited public data specifically for estate planning software, multiple surveys and industry reports clearly show a growing trend of law firms adopting legal tech—cloud tools, AI, practice management software—and that trend strongly supports the shift toward specialized drafting solutions for estate planning.
Here are some revealing stats you can use as evidence:
Key Numbers & Trends On Technology Adoption in Estate Planning
- 73% of law firms use cloud-based legal tools
According to the ABA’s 2025 Legal Technology Survey, 73% of firms now use cloud-based tools, with document management and practice management software among the highest adoption areas. American Bar Association
Implication: If most firms are comfortable working on the cloud, they’re primed to adopt cloud-based drafting software too. - Estate planning / family law firms lean heavier into software use
In a survey by Smokeball, business, estate planning, and family law firms spent more time in software than many other practice areas. About 30% of those practitioners reported spending 75% or more of their day using technology. LawSites
Implication: Estate planning attorneys are already among the heavier users of software in the legal profession. - AI adoption in law is accelerating fast
The ABA’s 2024 Legal Technology Survey shows that 30% of firms were using AI tools (up from around 11% the previous year) for various legal tasks. msba.org
A LawNext summary of the survey reports that AI adoption nearly tripled year-over-year—from 11% of firms in 2023 to 30% in 2024. LawSites
Implication: The legal profession is increasingly comfortable with automation. That paves the way for more specialized software, including drafting tools for estate planning. - Legal operations and tech functions are growing
In the 2024 Legal Ops & Tech Survey (Bloomberg Law), 57% of law firms reported having a full-time legal operations function. BBHub Assets
Also, security and data concerns are still among the main barriers cited when adopting technology. BBHub Assets
Implication: More firms are building the structural capacity (ops teams, IT, data management) to absorb advanced software like estate planning drafting platforms. - Estate planning software market is expanding
Market forecasts show cloud-based platforms driving the estate planning software market forward. North America is projected to hold ~45% of the global share by mid-2026. Verified Market Reports
Implication: The demand for software specifically built for estate planning is growing in tandem with legal tech adoption generally. - Virtual client preferences support digital adoption
In a recent Clio report, 70% of clients said they prefer working virtually with attorneys. Clio
Implication: If clients expect remote, digital engagement, estate planning attorneys must match that with software that supports modern, remote workflows.
What It All Means for Estate Planning Attorneys
- The legal world is increasingly tech-enabled. The shift isn’t being resisted—it’s happening, and fast.
- Estate planning attorneys are in a strong position to adopt specialized drafting software because many firms already use cloud tools and AI in adjacent areas.
- The market for estate planning software is growing, meaning more investment, more innovation, and more competition.
- Client expectations and firm operations are aligning toward digital-first tools—delay means falling behind.
Why Estate Planning Attorneys Need Software in 2025
The legal industry is evolving quickly, and estate planning attorneys are feeling the shift. Here are three key reasons why software isn’t just “nice to have”, it’s non-negotiable.
1. Client Expectations Have Changed
Today’s clients live in a digital-first world. They shop online, manage finances from their phones, and expect instant updates. When they hire an estate planning attorney, they don’t want stacks of paper and long delays. They want speed, accuracy, and transparency.
The ABA’s 2025 Legal Industry Report: 31 % of legal professionals now use generative AI personally, and 54 % use AI for drafting tasks. 61 % of firms report that AI has “somewhat increased efficiency
Estate planning software enables attorneys to meet these expectations by providing:
- Faster turnaround times.
- Clearer documentation.
- A smoother, more modern client experience.
2. Compliance Is Complex
Medicaid rules, tax laws, and trust regulations are constantly changing. Manual drafting leaves too much room for error—and errors in estate planning can be catastrophic.
Software that automatically updates templates and calculations ensures attorneys stay compliant without having to monitor every legislative update themselves.
3. Running a Firm Requires Efficiency
Most estate planning attorneys didn’t go to law school to become administrators. Yet many spend more time on repetitive tasks than on client strategy. Estate planning software helps firms do more with less—reducing administrative burden while increasing capacity for revenue-generating work.
👉 Related reading: [How Estate Planning Workflows Streamline Your Firm]
Why Estate Planning Attorneys Rely on Estate Planning Drafting Software
Estate planning is one of the most document-heavy areas of law. From wills and trusts to Medicaid qualification and healthcare directives, each plan requires a tailored set of documents that must be precise, compliant, and client-specific. For attorneys, relying solely on manual drafting is no longer practical—or profitable. This is where estate planning drafting software comes in.
1. Accuracy and Compliance
Errors in estate planning documents can have serious consequences: rejected filings, client disputes, or even malpractice claims. Drafting software reduces this risk by automating calculations, applying the latest state and federal rules, and ensuring every clause is up to date. Instead of spending hours double-checking details, attorneys can draft with confidence knowing compliance safeguards are built into the system.
2. Time Savings and Efficiency
Manual drafting requires entering the same client information across multiple forms, which is both tedious and error-prone. Estate planning drafting software uses single-entry systems that populate client data across all documents instantly. What once took hours can now take minutes, freeing up time for attorneys to focus on strategy, client counseling, and revenue-generating activities.
3. Client-Centered Service
Today’s clients expect efficiency, clarity, and professionalism. With drafting software, attorneys can quickly model “what-if” scenarios, demonstrate how different trust structures or Medicaid strategies will impact a client’s financial future, and produce polished, accurate documents on the spot. This creates a smoother client experience and builds trust in the attorney’s expertise.
4. Scalability for Growing Firms
For solo practitioners and small firms, scaling often means hiring more staff. But with the right drafting software, attorneys can handle a higher caseload without increasing headcount. Automated workflows allow paraprofessionals or support staff to manage drafting tasks while attorneys oversee and approve final documents. This scalability translates directly into higher profitability and growth potential.
5. Competitive Advantage
Estate planning is becoming increasingly competitive, with firms adopting technology to improve turnaround time and reduce costs. Attorneys who fail to adopt drafting software risk being perceived as outdated, while tech-enabled firms can market themselves as modern, efficient, and client-friendly. Having the best estate planning software isn’t just a productivity tool—it’s a business differentiator.
Key Features to Look for in Estate Planning Software
Not all estate planning software is created equal. To separate the best from the rest, here are the must-have features attorneys should evaluate.
1. Single-Entry System
Enter client data once and watch it populate across all relevant documents—wills, trusts, POAs, Medicaid applications. This eliminates duplication, reduces errors, and saves hours of manual entry.
2. Comprehensive Document Library
The best estate planning software offers ready-to-use, customizable templates that cover the full range of estate planning needs:
- Wills
- Revocable & irrevocable trusts
- Healthcare directives
- Powers of attorney
- Asset protection trusts
- Medicaid qualification documents
3. Medicaid and Asset Protection Tools
Estate planning often overlaps with elder law. Software should include tools for Medicaid eligibility calculations, asset transfer modeling, and crisis planning. Proprietary tools like LWP’s iPug® Trust go even further by offering flexible, client-centered asset protection strategies.
4. Cloud-Based Access and Security
Modern law firms need the flexibility to work anywhere. Cloud-based software ensures attorneys can securely access files and draft documents from any location, while meeting compliance standards.
5. Workflow Automation
Beyond drafting, look for software that automates workflows—moving a client from intake to signing to funding without bottlenecks. This improves internal efficiency and provides clients with a smoother experience.
6. Reporting and Dashboards
You can’t run a business without data. Software that includes revenue tracking, KPI dashboards, and performance scorecards empowers attorneys to lead their firms like CEOs.
👉 Related reading: [Best Estate Planning Software for Attorneys: Features That Matter Most]
The ROI of Estate Planning Software
Attorneys often ask: Is estate planning software worth the investment? The short answer: absolutely.
Here’s why.
1. Time Saved = More Billable Hours
If you’re currently drafting documents manually, you know how long it takes. By automating repetitive work, software frees up hours that can be redirected toward revenue-generating activities—consultations, marketing, or higher-level planning.
2. Reduced Errors = Reduced Liability
Mistakes in estate planning can cost clients (and your reputation) dearly. Automation reduces human error, ensuring compliance and minimizing costly revisions.
3. Increased Capacity = More Clients Served
By streamlining workflows, your firm can serve more clients without hiring additional staff. This is how solo and small firms scale profitably.
4. Better Client Experience = More Referrals
Clients who feel taken care of become your biggest advocates. Faster service and clearer documents lead to higher satisfaction—and more referrals.
👉 Related reading: [The ROI of Estate Planning Software: How Attorneys Boost Efficiency and Revenue]
Case Study: How One Firm Grew from $120K to $170K Per Month
A solo estate planning attorney was stuck in a cycle of long hours and slow growth. After implementing STEPS™ estate planning software, they saw dramatic results:
- Problem: Attorney spent 90% of time on document drafting, leaving little room for marketing or consultations.
- Solution: STEPS™ automated document generation and freed up the attorney’s schedule.
- Result: Within 8 months, the firm grew from $120,000 to $170,000 in monthly revenue—without adding staff.
This case study illustrates a powerful truth: when attorneys act like CEOs and leverage technology, growth follows.
👉 Related reading: [Can Estate Planning Drafting Software Really Boost Your Revenue?]
How LWP’s STEPS™ Software Compares
When evaluating estate planning software, you’ll find plenty of options. But not all are built specifically for estate planning attorneys. Here’s how LWP’s STEPS™ stands out.
1. Purpose-Built for Estate Planning
Unlike generic legal drafting tools, STEPS™ was designed by estate planning attorneys, for estate planning attorneys. It includes industry-exclusive trusts, Medicaid qualification tools, and customizable templates.
2. Comprehensive Workflow Coverage
From intake to case closed, STEPS™ eliminates duplication, automates workflows, and ensures every step of the process is compliant and efficient.
3. iPug® Trust Integration
The iPug® Asset Protection Trust is exclusive to LWP. Unlike traditional irrevocable trusts, iPug® allows clients to retain control while protecting assets—something no other software offers.
4. Business Intelligence Tools
Beyond drafting, STEPS™ provides revenue reports, KPI dashboards, and scorecards to help attorneys track performance and lead their firms strategically.
5. Community and Support
LWP doesn’t just offer software. Attorneys also gain access to a community of 800+ peers, coaching programs, and continuous training—ensuring they know how to get the most out of the platform.
👉 Related reading: [Estate Planning Software FAQs: What Attorneys Ask Before They Buy]
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning Software
What types of documents can estate planning software generate?
Most estate planning software can draft wills, trusts, POAs, and healthcare directives. Advanced solutions like STEPS™ also handle Medicaid qualification, asset protection trusts, and ancillary documents.
Is estate planning software secure?
Yes, leading platforms are cloud-based with advanced encryption and compliance standards. Always check that your provider follows industry best practices for data protection.
How much does estate planning software cost?
Costs vary depending on features and firm size. Some charge monthly subscriptions, while others charge per document. LWP’s STEPS™ includes not just software, but also coaching, training, and community access.
Do I need training to use estate planning software?
While most platforms are designed to be intuitive, training ensures your team adopts the software effectively. LWP provides implementation support and ongoing education to maximize ROI.
Can estate planning software help me grow my firm?
Absolutely. By saving time, reducing errors, and improving client experience, software enables you to serve more clients profitably. Case studies show dramatic growth for attorneys who adopt tools like STEPS™.
The Future of Estate Planning Software
As we move further into 2025, estate planning software will only become more sophisticated. Expect to see:
- AI-driven drafting that learns from past cases.
- Deeper integrations with CRMs, billing systems, and client portals.
- More client-facing features like online intake forms and self-service updates.
Attorneys who adopt early will position themselves as leaders in their market—while those who resist risk falling behind competitors who deliver faster, smarter, and more client-centered service.
👉 Related reading: [The Future of Estate Planning Software: AI, Automation, and Attorney Adaptation]
Conclusion: Taking the First Step Toward a Smarter Practice
Estate planning software is no longer optional—it’s the foundation of a modern, profitable practice. By investing in the right platform, attorneys can save time, reduce risk, serve more clients, and build firms that thrive in 2025 and beyond.
LWP’s STEPS™ isn’t just software. It’s a complete operating system for estate planning attorneys—combining drafting tools, Medicaid planning, asset protection, workflows, business intelligence, and community support.
If you’re ready to stop running your practice on outdated systems and start leading your firm like a business, it’s time to explore STEPS™.
