Council Information

A Tradition of Excellence in Estate Planning

Founded in the 1970s, the Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council is an interdisciplinary organization of experienced professionals dedicated to advancing the practice of estate planning through education, professional cooperation and the exchange of ideas.

Our members represent a range of complementary disciplines—including law, accounting, taxation, wealth management, trust administration, insurance, valuation and related fields.

Together, we provide a forum where accomplished professionals can learn from one another, engage with leading authorities and build lasting professional relationships.

Our Mission

The mission of the Beverly Hills Estate Planning Council is to enhance the proficiency of professionals actively engaged in estate planning and to promote continued professional growth through education and cooperation.

We believe that sophisticated estate planning is inherently interdisciplinary. The best solutions often emerge when professionals with different areas of expertise bring their perspectives together.

BHEPC exists to foster that exchange.

More Than a Professional Association

BHEPC is intentionally different from a conventional networking organization.

Our focus is on professional development, substantive education and meaningful collaboration.

Throughout the year, members participate in educational programs featuring experienced practitioners and recognized authorities. Programs address developments and strategies affecting estate planning, taxation, wealth transfer, fiduciary matters and related areas of practice.

Members also benefit from the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers who understand the complexities of serving high-net-worth individuals, families and closely held businesses.

An Interdisciplinary Council

Estate planning touches virtually every aspect of a client's financial and personal life.

BHEPC brings together professionals whose expertise intersects with that process, including:

Attorneys

Professionals specializing in estate planning, trusts, probate, taxation and related areas of law.

CPAs & Tax Professionals

Advisors addressing income, estate, gift, fiduciary and other tax considerations.

Wealth & Investment Advisors

Professionals helping individuals and families coordinate investment, wealth preservation and multigenerational planning.

Trust & Fiduciary Professionals

Trust officers and fiduciaries involved in the administration and management of complex trusts and estates.

Insurance Professionals

Specialists helping clients address life insurance, liquidity, risk management and wealth-transfer considerations.

Valuation Professionals

Experts providing valuation advice for businesses, real estate, closely held interests and other assets relevant to estate planning.

Other Related Professionals

Professionals in complementary disciplines whose practices are substantially connected to estate planning and taxation.

A Commitment to Experience

BHEPC membership is intended for established professionals who have demonstrated meaningful experience in estate planning or related disciplines.

Applicants generally must have at least five years of relevant professional experience, with a substantial portion of their practice devoted to estate planning, estate or trust administration, taxation or related activities. Applicants must also be appropriately credentialed in their profession.

This emphasis on experience helps maintain the quality of discussion, education and professional relationships that define the Council.

Education at the Center

Continuing education is central to the BHEPC experience.

Council programs are designed to address issues that matter to practicing estate planning professionals—from developments in tax law and wealth transfer strategies to trust administration, valuation, charitable planning, fiduciary matters and other emerging issues.

Our goal is not simply to inform members about what has changed.

It is to encourage thoughtful discussion about what those changes mean for the professionals and clients we serve.

Professional Relationships That Matter

The Council's interdisciplinary structure creates opportunities for members to develop relationships with professionals whose expertise complements their own.

Over time, these relationships can become an important professional resource: a trusted colleague to consult on a difficult issue, an expert to bring into a client matter, or simply another experienced professional with whom to exchange ideas.

BHEPC is built on the belief that professional relationships are strongest when they begin with shared standards, substantive knowledge and mutual respect.

Leadership & Governance

BHEPC is led by a Board of Directors and officers drawn from the Council's membership.

Leadership responsibilities include guiding the Council's educational programs, overseeing membership, maintaining the organization's professional standards and ensuring that BHEPC continues to serve the needs of its members.

The Council's leadership tradition extends across decades, with past presidents and directors representing many of Southern California's leading professional firms and institutions.

Our History

For generations, professionals in the Beverly Hills and greater Los Angeles estate planning community have turned to BHEPC as a place to learn, collaborate and build professional relationships.

The Council's history includes attorneys, CPAs, wealth advisors, trust professionals, insurance specialists and valuation experts who have contributed their time and expertise to the organization.

That history continues to shape BHEPC today.

Membership

Membership is selective and requires sponsorship by existing members. Prospective members are asked to attend Council meetings as a guest before submitting an application, allowing both the prospective member and the Council to determine whether BHEPC is an appropriate professional fit.

Membership provides access to:

• Educational programs and expert speakers
• Continuing education opportunities when available
• Professional and social interaction with fellow members
• Special events and Council activities
• Member resources and communications
• Opportunities to participate in Council leadership
• The opportunity to introduce and sponsor qualified candidates

Looking Toward the Future

The practice of estate planning continues to evolve.

Changes in tax law, family structures, business ownership, investment strategies, technology and fiduciary responsibilities create new challenges—and new opportunities—for today's advisors.

BHEPC is committed to maintaining a community where experienced professionals can stay informed, challenge conventional thinking and learn from one another.

The tradition continues. The practice evolves. The relationships endure.