The Role of Technology in Modern Estate Planning

A silent flow of wealth is trickling down from Baby Boomers to family members and charities through inheritances — a trend that has been gaining momentum for years. Today, that early movement has become more visible as wealth transfer trends continue to accelerate.

In fact, the impending handover of collective assets from older generations to younger ones is set to break records. According to findings released by Cerulli Associates in 2024, around $124 trillion in estate funds and property will change hands by 2048. It’s a staggering amount, and it’s set to make estate planning both more dynamic and more complicated.

Fortunately, emerging technologies stand to ease what could otherwise be a massive challenge — managing, monitoring, and transferring complex assets — making the process more secure and accessible for professionals and clients alike.

Indeed, technology is poised to improve the notoriously complex estate planning process in several ways. Three of the more compelling are below, but more will inevitably surface as this transition matures.

Wealth transfer documentation is moving toward greater transparency
Consider centralized, AI-powered platforms to help provide stakeholders with greater visibility and help minimize disputes.

An important issue with wealth transfer is that it’s historically been hidden, including from stakeholders. For instance, the specific movement of estate property is often buried in a raft of legal and financial paperwork. As such, the “fine print” is not only hard to locate but also difficult to understand.

AI-fueled platforms help reduce confusion by providing a shared repository of all estate materials. Case in point is Title Collection’s robust product release, designed to bring all estate matters under one cloud-based roof.

Title Collections relies on AI to organize all materials, including photographs, and enable voting among estate participants to determine exactly where assets will go. The AI can make recommendations based on past votes, fostering a more balanced environment where stakeholders can remain informed throughout the process. It’s the so-called “clear pane of glass” that’s been missing from many estate planning experiences.

More convenient estate planning for middle-class families
Use simplified, tech-enabled planning tools to expand estate services beyond high-net-worth clients.

The middle class hasn’t always been engaged in estate planning. In fact, the 2025 Trust & Will Estate Planning Report found that only 31% of Americans have a will, while 55% have no estate planning documents at all. This leaves survivors at a massive disadvantage because estate evaluation and distribution can become stressful and contentious.

Though there are many reasons for not designating where wealth will go, one may be the feeling that there aren’t enough assets to warrant an estate plan. Again, technology can change that mindset. This opens doors for families who fall squarely in the middle class rather than at the top of the economic food chain.

Take the DIY estate planning software Ethos (NSE:ETHO), for example. The site simplifies basic trust and will documentation, making it an appealing option for those who assume they lack enough money or property to justify hiring a lawyer or advisor.

Crypto assets are becoming an increasingly important consideration in estate planning
Inventory digital assets early and document access credentials to help avoid potentially irreversible losses.

Cryptocurrencies have become more popular as early adopters dabble in buying and exchanging Bitcoin and other digital currencies. However, adequately valuing a crypto asset for an estate requires expertise. This is because the actual value fluctuates with market forces.

Products are popping up to assist with tracking crypto and passing on vital account and login information. FreeWill offers solid crypto estate planning advice, including recommendations for the accessibility of crypto wallets and private and public keys. Beneficiaries won’t necessarily know how to access a crypto wallet without the proper credentials, so preparing documentation in advance makes sense.

Over time, blockchain, the technology that drives crypto, may also begin to filter into estate planning through more secure documents. It’s definitely a trend to watch in the coming decade.

It’s tough to deny that this Great Wealth Transfer is coming, regardless of whether the world is ready for it. Harnessing emerging technologies now can make life less frustrating for the generations inheriting this wealth. Preparing today can help ensure a smoother transition as assets shift from older to younger pockets.