151 Farmington Avenue
                                               Hartford, CT 08156

                                               Julie E. Rockmore
                                               Counsel
                                               Law Division, RE4A
                                               Investments & Financial Services
                                               (860) 273-4686
                                               Fax: (860) 273-8340

December 8, 1997

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549

Re:    Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company and its Variable Life Account B
       Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-6
       Prospectus Title:  AetnaVest Estate Protector II
       File Nos.:  333-27337 and 811-4536

Dear Sir or Madam:

The undersigned serves as counsel to Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company, a
Connecticut life insurance company (the "Company"). It is my understanding that
the Company, as depositor, has registered an indefinite amount of securities
(the "Securities") under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") as
provided in Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment
Company Act").

In connection with this opinion, I have reviewed the S-6 Registration Statement,
as amended to the date hereof, and this Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1. I have
also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my
satisfaction, of such documents, trust records and other instruments I have
deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion. For
purposes of such examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures
on original documents and the conformity to the original of all copies.

I am admitted to practice law in Connecticut, and do not purport to be an expert
on the laws of any other state. My opinion herein as to any other law is based
upon a limited inquiry thereof which I have deemed appropriate under the
circumstances.



Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that the Securities have been
legally authorized and, assuming that the Securities have been issued and sold
in accordance with the provisions of the prospectus being registered, will be
legally issued.

I consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.

Sincerely,

/s/ Julie E. Rockmore

Julie E. Rockmore