Right now, I have three generations of my own family working through estate planning together — grandparents, parents, and the next generation, all at the table. It's a reminder of something I tell clients every day: trusts aren't just for the wealthy anymore.

Middle-class families are increasingly using trusts to control how and when beneficiaries receive assets, protect property from lawsuits or creditors, and manage blended or complex family structures — think second marriages, children from different relationships, or a family member with special needs.

Part of what's driving this shift is what's being called the "Great Wealth Transfer" — the largest movement of wealth in U.S. history. Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation are expected to pass down an estimated $84 trillion in assets by 2045, with the bulk of that transfer happening over the next two decades.¹ For families, that means more urgency around having an efficient, private way to pass on assets — one that avoids the delays, costs, and public record of probate court.

This shift will look different for every family. But one thing holds true across the board: a plan you put in place today is a gift to the people you love tomorrow.

Every Family Deserves to Be Protected

July is Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize the dignity, strength, individuality, and lived experiences of people with disabilities and the families who love and support them.

And whether disability is part of your family’s daily life, your caregiving story, or simply a reminder that every person deserves to be seen, supported, and protected, this month brings up an important question:

If something happened to you, would the people you love be protected in the way you would want? Would the right people have legal authority to step in? Would your family know what to do, what you have, and how to carry out your decisions without unnecessary court, conflict, or confusion?

Most families assume everything will just work out. That assumption causes families to lose.