About The American Academy
History of the Academy
The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys was established in 1992 by Armstrong & Fisch, one of the most successful estate planning law firms in the country. After providing two decades of superior estate planning guidance and advice to thousands of legal clients, the firm decided to share their methods and practices with attorneys nationwide.
The Academy is a national organization dedicated to promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership of attorneys with up-to-date research on estate and tax planning, educational materials, and other important resources to empower them to provide superior estate planning services. The Academy expects members to have at least 36 hours of legal education each year specifically in estate, tax, probate and/or elder law subjects. To ensure this goal is met, the Academy provides over 40 hours of continuing legal education each year. The Academy has also been recognized as a consumer legal source by Money Magazine and Suze Orman in her book, 9 Steps to Financial Freedom.
For over 20 years, the Academy has been a highly-regarded and sought-after resource for attorneys and consumers alike, and has been recognized by Consumer Reports, Suze Orman in her book, 9 Steps to Financial Freedom and numerous times by Money Magazine.
Meet Our Team
Experienced Attorneys Committed to Your Success
Our Associations
Preserving Your Wealth With Estate and Legacy Planning
Academy members offer guidance and advice to their clients in every area of estate planning. This list offers a sampling of these services:
- Advanced planning.
Get assistance with matters such as Family Limited Partnerships, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, and Charitable Remainder Trusts. - Asset protection.
Receive guidance on protecting your legacy. - Creditor protection.
Find out how you can protect your estate and your heirs. - Divorce protection.
Protect loved ones and get informed advice on these important estate planning issues. - Estate planning.
Receive consultation and planning to ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes. - Legacy Wealth Planning.
Create a Legacy Wealth Plan customized to leave the legacy you want. - Living Trusts.
Create a Living Trust customized to address all of your family’s unique needs. - Long-term health care.
Make sure you have properly outlined necessary health care instructions. - Probate assistance.
Get the assistance you need when someone with or without a Will passes away. - Remarriage protection.
Protect heirs and their special interest in the event the surviving spouse remarries. - Retirement planning.
Ensure that your tax-deferred accounts are properly structured to give your family the greatest tax advantages possible. - Special needs planning.
Tailored plans to protect family members with special needs. - Structured buy-out plans.
The plan you create for your children to sell land and assets. - Tax planning.
Preserve your wealth and reduce taxes with proper planning. - Trust administration.
Create a Living Trust customized to address all of your family’s unique needs, and receive guidance when a family member passes away. - Updating documents.
Ensure that your affairs are in order with regular estate reviews. Amend or restate your existing estate plan to ensure its effectiveness. - Wills.
Prepare a Will or other document to outline your wishes.
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Recognized Leaders
Our legal affiliations reflect our commitment to advanced training, ongoing education, and elevated estate planning standards.
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Convenient Office LocationsWith multiple office locations and flexible virtual meeting options, we make it easy to meet in the way that works best for you.
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Education-First Approach
We believe you should fully understand the documents you sign. Our team takes the time to explain your options and ensure you leave with confidence, not confusion.
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Law Made Simple
We’ve built a streamlined, guided process that makes legal documents easier than you think. We offer flexible virtual meetings and clear next steps at every stage.
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Educational Resources and Supportive GuidanceWe provide educational resources to help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
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Comprehensive Protection for Your Future and LegacyThe firm guides clients to ensure both peace of mind and meaningful protection for loved ones.
Why Academy Members Are Unique
Focusing in Estate and Legacy Planning.
Members of the Academy concentrate their law practices in the area of estate planning and reinforce their expertise daily by dedicating their efforts to clients concerned with preserving what they have accumulated for future generations.
Professional Legal Training.
Academy members receive on-going training specific to the field of estate planning to ensure that their legal knowledge and techniques are based on the latest information and resources.
Nationwide Membership.
Members of the Academy are available throughout the U.S. and in most metro areas.
Superior client care.
Most Academy members offer expanded client care services such as in-home consultations, in order to meet the needs of each particular client.
A Reputation Built on Trust and Results
We believe every client deserves honesty, dedication, and strong legal advocacy. Here’s what people have experienced firsthand.
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“Punctual, responsive, is what I look for as my time is valuable. Beth was great about explaining, providing examples, and helping me get through the process.”- D. Washington
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“Beth and her team were efficient, proactive, professional, and excelled at their communication. Really appreciate the help to get my Will and related documents ready and in place. Thank you.”- Joe M.
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“Very friendly and knowledgeable customer service. We had our will completed. Last year we closed on our house with Knipp law. I highly recommend them.”- Brian Miller
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“Beth and her team were absolutely amazing. Answered all of my questions and prepared everything quickly. Thanks for the amazing work.”- Jeffrey Paul Wolff
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“Beth Marks was very professional to deal with, no nonsense get it done approach. She was able to prioritize our needs. Very detailed and thorough. Explained the documents well. Love her dry sense of humor. We have also used them for 2 real estate deals and experienced the same level of professionalism.”- Barb McCabe
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“My wife and I had an exceptional experience with Knipp Law Firm. Tarrah Brown was extremely helpful, answered all of our questions and communication was great throughout the entire process. Will definitely recommend to others and will use them ourselves again in the future!”- Andrew Palladino
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“Excellent service from start to finish. Staff were knowledgeable and very receptive to all my wishes as a client.”- Keye A.
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“This people are the best! Easy to work with. Very caring and concerned about my family’s future. Nothing but good vibes from this firm. Thank y’all so much for everything. Tim”- Cackalacka Boi
