Estate Planning Trends That Demand Better Workflows

Estate planning is not static. The strategies that worked a decade ago no longer meet the expectations of today’s clients. Demographic shifts, technology adoption and changing client preferences are reshaping how wealth is transferred and how firms need to operate.

Advisors who respond to these shifts will not only strengthen client relationships but also create a more efficient practice. According to a March 2024 survey, seven out of ten Americans (69%) indicated that estate planning was at least “somewhat important.” Here are three estate planning trends that are changing the way firms must approach both client service and internal operations.

The Great Wealth Transfer

Cerulli Associates estimates that more than $84 trillion will pass from older generations to their heirs over the next two decades. Many of these heirs live across the country, are more tech forward and hold different views about money than their parents.

This shift puts pressure on advisors to manage not just portfolios but also family conversations about legacy, philanthropy and stewardship. It also puts pressure on operations. Firms must coordinate outreach, keep track of complex family structures and ensure every interaction feels consistent and professional.

Digital Assets and Expanding Data

According to a Q3 2024 Advisor Pulse Survey, 19% of advisors reported that more than half of their clients now hold digital assets. Advisors are seeing more clients with digital assets like crypto and NFTs. Traditional estate documents are often not set up to account for them. At the same time clients are using digital vaults, secure portals and planning platforms to centralize information.

This growing data footprint creates challenges for advisory teams. Every new document or detail requires coordination, secure storage and accurate handoff to planning tools. Without clear workflows firms risk missing details or spending hours on manual entry.

Clients Expect Flexibility and Control

Today’s investors want more control and flexibility in how their wealth is managed and transferred. Trust structures like Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts and Directed Trusts are examples of this trend.

The same desire for flexibility applies to client onboarding and estate planning reviews. Clients expect to review and update their own information, approve details digitally and have a seamless experience across every touchpoint. Firms that rely on rigid CRM task lists or outdated PDFs struggle to deliver this level of service.

How Firms Can Respond

Estate planning trends highlight a simple truth: complexity is increasing. More wealth, more data and more client expectations mean advisors cannot rely on manual processes to keep up.

This is where Hubly makes the difference. Hubly helps firms:

• Start the day with clarity on priorities across the team
• Deliver a consistent experience for estate planning clients
• Build flexible workflows that capture the right data and automate routine steps
• Provide visibility and accountability so nothing falls through the cracks
• Increase onboarding capacity and create room for growth without adding staff

Start your free 30-day trial of Hubly and see how better workflows prepare your firm to meet modern estate planning needs while giving clients the high-end experience they expect.