Estate Planning Seen as Ongoing Service, Not One-Time Event

InvestmentNews reports that estate planning is being reframed as an ongoing client service, not a one-time document signing, by advisors at Truxton Wealth and Carson Group. Buck Patton of Truxton Wealth said an estate plan is foundational to a holistic advisory relationship and should be reviewed at every client meeting, while David Haughton of Carson Group argued advisors are best positioned to monitor evolving family dynamics and tax law changes. A 2026 Trust & Will report found that 68% of advised clients would consider switching to an advisor who offers estate planning.

Estate planning capability is a competitive differentiator for RIAs. The survey data suggests advisors who embed estate-planning reviews into their service model may strengthen client retention and AUM, while those who treat plans as static risk losing clients to competitors that offer this service.