Candidates for admission to the degree program must complete a graduate student application, which requires the submission of official undergraduate and law school transcripts, verified LSAT score and class rank, two or more acceptable references, a personal statement and a processing fee. Admission to the program is highly selective, and decisions are made as applications are received. Candidates are therefore encouraged to complete their applications as early as possible. Performance in law school tax and trusts and estates courses, as well as the candidate's overall law school record are of particular interest in evaluating the application. Although many students enroll each year without prior legal experience in estate planning beyond academic courses, consideration is given to any such prior experience. Prior to enrollment, all applicants must have earned a J.D. or LL.B. degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and must have successfully completed the equivalent of a J.D. trusts and estates course.

Unless special permission is obtained from the program's director, full-time students may matriculate only in the Fall semester. At the discretion of the director, part-time applicants may commence in any semester and may convert to full-time status.

Candidates engaged in outside employment for more than fifteen hours per week may not, without the approval of the program director, enroll in more than six credit hours per semester.

Degree Requirements

Currently, candidates for an LL.M. in estate planning must successfully complete 32 credit hours of require courses with a C+ (2.5) or better average. The course work includes preparation, under supervision of an assigned Estate Planning Advisor, of an original estate plan (including documents necessary to implement the plan). The number of credit hours required to obtain the degree may vary from year to year as changes are made in the curriculum.

All work must be completed within three years after matriculation. Transfer of credits for graduate level work from the University of Miami School of Law or from another accredited law school will be allowed only with the approval of the program's director.