The beginning of a new year creates a rare pause.

It is often the one time of year when families step back from day-to-day decisions and look at the bigger picture — not just what they have built, but what they want it to mean, protect, and support over time.

For families with significant wealth, estate planning is no longer just about having documents in place. It becomes about intention, tax efficiency, control, and ensuring that complexity does not create unintended consequences.

January is an ideal time to start that conversation.

Why Estate Planning Becomes More Important as Wealth Grows

As assets accumulate, planning by default becomes risky.

Many families created their estate documents years ago, when their financial picture was simpler. Since then, properties have been added, investments have grown, business interests may have evolved, and tax exposure has increased — often quietly.

What once felt “sufficient” may no longer reflect:

• The true size and structure of the estate
• The tax implications at death
• The administrative burden placed on executors
• The level of clarity beneficiaries will need

Without proactive planning, growth itself can introduce uncertainty.

Estate Planning Is About More Than Distribution

For higher-net-worth families, estate planning is not simply about who receives what.

It is about:

• Reducing unnecessary tax erosion
• Creating clear instructions for complex assets
• Protecting family relationships
• Ensuring decisions are made intentionally — not by default rules

A well-designed plan brings order to complexity. It gives families confidence that what they have built will be preserved and transitioned thoughtfully.

Perhaps most importantly, it provides peace of mind — knowing that important decisions have already been made, carefully and deliberately.

Why Starting Now Matters

One of the most common assumptions we hear is: “We’ll get to it later.”

But later often arrives with less flexibility — after a triggering event, a sale, a health change, or a loss. Planning done under pressure rarely produces the same clarity or outcomes as planning done with intention.

Starting now does not mean committing to complexity or making immediate changes. It simply means beginning the conversation while all options remain available.

The start of a new year is an opportunity to review, reflect, and ensure your planning keeps pace with your wealth.

Learn More or Begin Personally

To help families take that first step, we offer two ways to move forward this January.

Attend our upcoming estate planning webinar

Thursday, January 22 at 6:30 PM (Mountain Time)

This educational session is designed for families with growing and complex estates. We will discuss common planning gaps, why timing matters, and how thoughtful planning can reduce uncertainty and tax exposure over time.

Register online:

https://www.macmillanestate.com/seminars Or call: 1-866-266-6363

Prefer a private conversation? You may also schedule a complimentary consultation to discuss your personal situation and explore appropriate next steps in a confidential setting. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://www.macmillanestate.com/macmillan-meet-with-us

Start the Year With Clarity and Intention

Estate planning for families with significant wealth is not something to rush — but it is something worth starting.

Beginning now allows you to plan thoughtfully, preserve what you have built, and create clarity for the people who matter most. As the year unfolds, few decisions offer the same lasting peace of mind as knowing your affairs are in order.

If this is the year you have been meaning to start, we invite you to do so now.