Advanced Planning for High-Net-Worth Surviving Spouses (5M+)

At this wealth level, you need specialized expertise in irrevocable trusts, generation-skipping strategies, and advanced charitable planning. Finding CPAs and attorneys with genuine high-net-worth experience is essential—you want advisors whose standard practice, not exception, matches your situation.

Federal estate tax exemption is $15 million per person for 2026 after the One, Big, Beautiful Bill made the higher threshold permanent. At this asset level, however, state estate taxes (which can kick in at $1 million in some states) and future legislative changes still require active monitoring.

What this level requires:

• Your own estate plan needs comprehensive attention. What you inherited plus your existing assets likely creates a situation requiring irrevocable trusts, generation-skipping planning, charitable strategies, or family limited partnerships.
• You need a coordinated team -- CPA, estate attorney, and financial advisor -- who actively communicate with each other. Decisions in one area directly affect the others.
• IRMAA surcharges on Medicare premiums are likely triggered by the income these assets generate, adding another layer to distribution planning.
• Advanced strategies are not just available but necessary to avoid leaving money on the table.

The tradeoff: The right planning team can save multiples of their fees, but at this level, finding CPAs and attorneys with genuine high-net-worth experience is critical. Ask about their typical client profile -- you want advisors whose standard practice matches your situation, not ones stretching beyond it.