Financial advisors who specialize in estate planning and wealth transfer.

The 2025-2026 gifting window. SLATs, GRATs, Dynasty Trusts, QPRTs, CRUTs. Generation-skipping transfer tax. Business succession. Coordinated with trust-and-estates attorneys — matched with advisors who do this for HNW families.

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The 2025-2026 window is unique in recent history

Federal estate tax exemption is approximately $14M per individual in 2025 — historically high. TCJA sunset provisions schedule it to drop to ~$7M in 2026 absent congressional action. Families with $10-30M net worth face a one-time planning moment: use the exemption now, or watch it cut in half. Strategies like Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs) and Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) are designed specifically for this window.

Concrete stakes: a $14M estate that doesn't plan pays roughly $2.8M more in federal estate tax if the exemption drops. A $25M estate pays $7M+ more. The planning window is closing — estate attorneys and financial advisors are booked solid in late 2025.

Strategies specific to HNW families

SLAT (Spousal Lifetime Access Trust). Transfers assets out of the estate while retaining spousal access. Uses exemption now, protects against sunset. Careful drafting required to avoid reciprocal trust doctrine.
GRAT (Grantor Retained Annuity Trust). Transfers appreciation out of estate with low-interest-rate efficiency. Best for expected-to-appreciate assets like pre-IPO equity, rental real estate, closely-held business.
Dynasty Trust. Multi-generational wealth shelter from estate tax at each generation's death. Requires state choice (SD, NV, DE — perpetual trusts allowed).
QPRT (Qualified Personal Residence Trust). Transfers primary residence to heirs at a discounted gift-tax value.
CRT/CRUT (Charitable Remainder Trust). Converts appreciated assets to income stream + charitable legacy, skips capital gains at contribution.
Annual gifting + 529 superfunding. $18K/year per donor per donee ($36K/year per couple) exclusion. Superfund 529s with 5 years at once.

Tools & guides

Estate Tax Exposure Calculator

Federal + state estate tax projection based on net worth and state of residency.

Complete Estate Planning Guide for HNW Families

Full guide: exemption sunset, trust strategies, gifting calendar, business succession, and coordinating with your attorney.

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Fee-only advisors who coordinate with your trust attorney. Free match.