As we step into a new season, it’s the perfect time for professionals to refresh the conversations they’re having with clients about long-term planning. While the basics of estate planning remain timeless, the nuances shift — and sometimes those subtle shifts can have major consequences.
Here are three under-the-radar estate planning topics worth raising with clients right now:
1. The 2026 Estate Tax Sunset: Planning Opportunities Before the Clock Runs Out
The estate tax exemption is currently at a historic high — $13.99 million per person in 2025. But this generous exemption isn’t here to stay. Unless Congress takes action, it will sunset at the end of 2025, effectively cutting the exemption in half to around $7 million per person.
Why this matters now:
Many clients assume estate taxes are a “billionaire problem,” but the upcoming sunset will pull thousands of families into taxable territory — especially in regions with high real estate values or closely held businesses.
What to raise with clients:
- Have they reviewed their current net worth in light of the looming exemption change?
- Would making lifetime gifts now make sense?
- Do they have trusts that should be reviewed or updated to take advantage of current law?
The window is closing fast, and thoughtful strategies now can help preserve millions in wealth.
2. Digital Legacy & Online Asset Access
While digital assets like cryptocurrency make headlines, more common online assets — such as email accounts, cloud storage, online photo albums, or even loyalty points — are often overlooked.
Why this matters now:
Without clear access rights or instructions, loved ones can be locked out of important online records. For business owners, this could also include domain names, client databases, and software subscriptions.
What to raise with clients:
- Do they have a plan for who can access their digital accounts?
- Have they documented passwords or used a digital vault?
- Does their estate plan include provisions for digital executors?
Encouraging clients to consider the full scope of their online life is an easy win that offers real peace of mind.
3. Planning for Aging Parents and Adult Children
Multigenerational planning is more relevant than ever. Many clients are “sandwiched” between caring for elderly parents and supporting young adult children — and their estate plans need to reflect those realities.
Why this matters now:
From long-term care costs to special needs concerns, or ensuring responsible inheritance strategies for adult children, these conversations go deeper than wills and trusts.
What to raise with clients:
- Do they have powers of attorney or health directives in place for elderly parents?
- Are young adult children prepared with basic legal documents of their own (like powers of attorney or HIPAA waivers)?
- Are inheritances structured with safeguards, such as trusts or staggered distributions?
These are the kinds of questions that move beyond planning for death — and instead focus on supporting family across life’s full arc.
A Season for Proactive Conversations
Each season brings new energy — and with it, the chance to revisit familiar conversations with fresh urgency. Helping clients stay ahead of under-the-radar changes like the estate tax sunset or shifts in digital and multigenerational planning isn’t just good service — it’s what sets you apart as a forward-thinking advisor.
Let’s work together to ensure your clients are not just protected — but positioned for peace of mind in every season.
