Over the next 20 years, an estimated $84 trillion will be passed down from Baby Boomers to the next generation. It’s being called The Great Wealth Transfer—but if you don’t have an estate plan in place, this opportunity to build generational wealth could become a financial and emotional disaster for your loved ones.
At Cain, Cain & Janik, we help people like you make sure your estate doesn’t become part of the mess.
A recent survey found that while most Americans know estate planning is important, less than one-third have even a basic will. That’s a problem. Because when you don’t have clear instructions for what happens to your money and property, someone else makes the decisions for you: the government, the IRS, or a judge who never met you.
Even families with the best intentions can end up tangled in probate court—spending months (or years) sorting out assets, paying thousands in legal fees, and navigating conflicts that strain relationships at the worst possible time.
Let’s be honest: If your plan is to “let the kids figure it out,” you’re setting them up for stress, confusion, and maybe even resentment. Without proper documents in place, your family may be forced to:
Hire an attorney to navigate the court system
Wait months for access to accounts and property
Pay unnecessary taxes and fees
Settle disputes between siblings or stepfamily members
Watch your legacy slowly unravel
That’s not the plan most families want—or deserve.
We believe estate planning should be clear, effective, and built to last. Even a basic plan—including a will, powers of attorney, and health care directives—can provide peace of mind and help your loved ones avoid costly court involvement.
But if you want to avoid probate altogether, a properly designed and funded trust may be your best option. We see it far too often: families spend good money creating a trust, but never retitle their assets or fund the trust correctly—leaving their estate right back in probate court. That’s why our Estate Planners for Life™ program exists—to make sure your plan actually works when your family needs it most.
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy. In fact, people with modest estates may be hit harder by court costs, taxes, or family disputes because they can’t afford to lose what little they have.
That said, if your family has built up significant assets—or if you want to protect what you’ve worked a lifetime to earn from your child’s ex-spouse or creditors—there’s no time to waste. Major changes to estate tax laws are on the horizon in 2025, and planning ahead could save your family a fortune.
Whether you’re leaving behind a home, a small business, or simply want to make sure your loved ones are protected and provided for, the most important question is:
Do you have a plan in place?
If the answer is no—or even “I’m not sure”—it’s time to take the next step.
👉 Request a Consultation or Register for a Workshop to get started. We’ll help you simplify the process, protect your legacy, and give your family the peace of mind they deserve.
Taxes & transfer
You’ve worked hard to build something meaningful. Maybe it’s the family home, a rental property, or a carefully managed investment account meant to provide stability for your children after you're gone.
·2 min read
Taxes & transfer
As we approach the final months of 2024, it’s crucial to pause, assess, and prepare for changes impacting your estate plan.
·3 min read
Taxes & transfer
Imagine sitting around the dining room table, surrounded by your family, and feeling a sense of pride knowing that the legacy you’ve built will benefit not just your children, but also your grandchildren.
·3 min readThe workbook helps you clarify what you want your plan to accomplish, identify possible gaps, prepare the right people, and decide what to do next, whether this is your first revocable living trust-based estate plan or you are reviewing an old one.
Separately, you can subscribe to A Matter of Trust, a weekly newsletter from Tamara featuring practical estate-planning guidance, thoughtful reflections on family and legacy, and other estate planning ideas worth passing along. Sign up for one or both.
Estate planning is a process, not an event. Start with a Right Fit Call: a short, no-pressure conversation to see whether we are the right firm for your family, and what a plan that walks alongside you would look like.
