GITNUXREPORT 2026

Estate Planning Industry Statistics

The estate planning industry is rapidly growing and digitizing due to massive impending wealth transfers.

Jannik Lindner

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Baby Boomers hold $78 trillion in U.S. wealth, representing 52% of total household wealth in 2023

Statistic 2

$84 trillion wealth transfer expected from 2023-2047, with $53 trillion to heirs and $31 trillion to charities

Statistic 3

Average estate size for decedents in 2022 was $1.2 million, up 8% from 2021

Statistic 4

70% of U.S. family wealth is held by individuals over 60, totaling $68 trillion in 2023

Statistic 5

Real estate comprises 32% of total estate assets, averaging $450,000 per estate in 2023

Statistic 6

$36 trillion of $84T great wealth transfer to millennials by 2045

Statistic 7

Retirement accounts make up 28% of estate assets, averaging $320K per estate 2023

Statistic 8

Illiquid assets like family businesses comprise 22% of HNW estates, valued $2.1T total

Statistic 9

Stocks and mutual funds represent 35% of average estate portfolio at $520K in 2023

Statistic 10

Cash and CDs hold 12% of estate liquidity, $180K average amid high rates 2023

Statistic 11

$16T intergenerational transfer to Gen X by 2030

Statistic 12

Life insurance policies average $250K payout in estates, 18% of total assets 2023

Statistic 13

Art and collectibles valued at $1.8T in U.S. estates, 4% of total wealth

Statistic 14

IRAs and 401(k)s total $35T, 25% exposed to RMD changes 2023

Statistic 15

Farmland in estates averages $15M for family farms, 9% of ag wealth

Statistic 16

$28T silent transfer to nonprofits in great wealth shift by 2047

Statistic 17

Bonds fixed income 15% estate assets, $220K avg amid rate hikes 2023

Statistic 18

Yachts/private jets in 1.2% HNW estates, total value $45B 2023

Statistic 19

529 plans assets $450B, estate gifting vehicle for 22% families 2023

Statistic 20

Wine/spirits collections avg $1.2M in UHNW estates, 0.8% total 2023

Statistic 21

56% of Americans aged 55+ have a will or living trust, up from 51% in 2021

Statistic 22

Only 33% of U.S. adults under 40 have any estate planning documents, compared to 68% over 70

Statistic 23

42% of parents with minor children lack a will naming guardians, per 2023 survey

Statistic 24

64% of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) updated their estate plans post-2022 market volatility

Statistic 25

Women are 20% less likely than men to have a will, with 48% vs 58% possession rate in 2023

Statistic 26

58% of millennials (ages 27-42) have a will in 2023, double from 2019's 29%

Statistic 27

73% of Black Americans lack a will vs 38% white Americans in 2023 survey

Statistic 28

51% of U.S. pet owners have pet trusts or provisions in wills, up 12% since 2020

Statistic 29

39% of Gen X (43-58) have living trusts, highest among generations in 2023

Statistic 30

Hispanic Americans have wills at 34% rate vs national 55% average in 2023

Statistic 31

61% of adults 50-64 have powers of attorney for health/finance in 2023

Statistic 32

27% of Americans discussed end-of-life wishes with family in past year

Statistic 33

LGBTQ+ individuals have estate plans at 49% rate vs 55% general pop 2023

Statistic 34

55% of divorced individuals update wills within 1 year, per 2023 data

Statistic 35

Rural Americans lag urban by 15% in will ownership, 42% vs 57% 2023

Statistic 36

66% of 65+ have healthcare directives, but only 41% shared with doctors

Statistic 37

34% of business owners lack succession plans tied to estates 2023

Statistic 38

Veterans have estate plans at 62% rate, aided by VA programs 2023

Statistic 39

47% of teachers/professors have wills vs 55% avg, urban skew 2023

Statistic 40

Single adults over 50 have plans at 52%, lower due to no spouse prompt

Statistic 41

The U.S. estate planning software market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.2%

Statistic 42

Global estate planning services market size stood at $45.6 billion in 2023, expected to grow to $72.3 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 5.2%

Statistic 43

U.S. estate planning market revenue reached $12.5 billion in 2023, with a forecasted CAGR of 6.8% through 2030

Statistic 44

The digital estate planning tools segment grew by 18% YoY in 2023, contributing 25% to total market share

Statistic 45

Estate planning industry in North America accounted for 42% of global market share in 2023, valued at $19.2 billion

Statistic 46

U.S. estate planning market projected to hit $18.4 billion by 2028 at 7.1% CAGR from 2023 base of $12.5B

Statistic 47

Asia-Pacific estate planning market grew 9.2% in 2023, fastest regionally, to $8.1B

Statistic 48

Online estate planning platforms captured 28% market share in 2023, up from 18% in 2020

Statistic 49

Trust services segment valued at $6.7B in U.S. 2023, growing 5.9% YoY

Statistic 50

European estate planning industry at €32B in 2023, CAGR 4.8% to 2030

Statistic 51

U.S. estate planning industry M&A deals hit 145 in 2023, up 22% YoY

Statistic 52

High-net-worth estate planning niche grew 8.4% to $4.9B in 2023

Statistic 53

Subscription-based estate planning services revenue $890M in 2023, CAGR 15%

Statistic 54

Corporate trustee assets under management $28T globally in 2023

Statistic 55

Elder law segment of estate planning at $3.2B, growing 7.5% CAGR

Statistic 56

International estate planning market at $22B in 2023, CAGR 6.3% to $35B by 2030

Statistic 57

Fintech estate tools valued $750M in 2023, 20% CAGR projected

Statistic 58

Nonprofit estate giving market $40B annually, 12% of total planned gifts

Statistic 59

Revocable living trust market share 41% of documents filed 2023

Statistic 60

LATAM estate planning growing 10% YoY to $2.8B in 2023

Statistic 61

There are 1.2 million estate planning attorneys in the U.S., with average billable hours at 1,800/year

Statistic 62

Financial advisors handling estate plans grew to 55% of total advisors in 2023, up from 42%

Statistic 63

Average cost of a basic will package is $1,200, complex trusts average $5,000 in 2023

Statistic 64

78% of estate plans are prepared by attorneys, 15% by online services, 7% DIY in 2023

Statistic 65

CPA involvement in estate planning rose to 41% of HNW clients in 2023

Statistic 66

950,000 certified estate planners (CEPs) worldwide in 2023, U.S. holds 68%

Statistic 67

Average estate attorney fee $350/hour, total billing $4.2B industry-wide 2023

Statistic 68

62% of wealth advisors now offer bundled estate planning services in 2023

Statistic 69

Online legal services like LegalZoom handled 1.5M estate docs in 2023, 23% growth

Statistic 70

Multidisciplinary teams (attorney+CPA+advisor) used in 71% HNW plans 2023

Statistic 71

1.4M paralegals support estate planning, avg salary $62K in 2023

Statistic 72

Boutique estate firms avg 25 clients/year, revenue $1.2M per firm 2023

Statistic 73

49% advisors certified in estate planning (CAP), up 10% since 2020

Statistic 74

Trust officers number 45,000 U.S., managing $15T assets 2023

Statistic 75

DIY platforms like Trust & Will served 500K users, $120 avg fee 2023

Statistic 76

Estate tax returns filed in 2022 totaled 13,800, down 5% from prior year due to exemptions

Statistic 77

Federal estate tax exemption for 2024 is $13.61 million per individual, doubled from 2017

Statistic 78

99.9% of estates owe no federal estate tax due to high exemption thresholds in 2023

Statistic 79

State estate taxes apply in 12 states + DC, with rates up to 16% in 2023

Statistic 80

Probate avoidance via trusts used in 52% of estates over $1M in 2022

Statistic 81

Gift tax exclusions totaled $17K per recipient in 2023, used in 2.1M returns

Statistic 82

Generation-skipping transfer tax exemption $13.61M in 2024, impacts 0.2% estates

Statistic 83

38 states have no estate or inheritance tax in 2023, down from 45 in 2001

Statistic 84

Probate duration averages 12 months, costs 4-7% of estate value in 2023

Statistic 85

Portable marital deduction used in 68% of spousal estates over $10M 2022

Statistic 86

QCDs (qualified charitable distributions) totaled $22B from IRAs in 2022

Statistic 87

Step-up in basis saved estates $50B in capital gains tax in 2022

Statistic 88

6 states impose inheritance tax, rates 0-18% on non-spouse heirs 2023

Statistic 89

Uniform Probate Code adopted in 19 states, reducing probate time 40%

Statistic 90

ABLE accounts for disabled heirs grew to 200K accounts, $12B assets 2023

Statistic 91

45% of U.S. consumers plan to use AI tools for estate planning by 2025, per 2023 survey

Statistic 92

Digital asset management in estate plans increased by 35% since 2020, now in 22% of plans

Statistic 93

62% of estate planners adopted virtual meetings post-COVID, reducing costs by 28%

Statistic 94

Blockchain-based wills are projected to grow at 25% CAGR, market size $500 million by 2028

Statistic 95

Hybrid estate planning apps saw 150% download increase in 2023

Statistic 96

VR estate planning consultations up 40% in 2023 for remote clients

Statistic 97

67% of advisors use robo-advisors for basic estate plan drafting in 2023

Statistic 98

NFT and crypto inclusion in estate plans rose to 15% for under-50s in 2023

Statistic 99

AI-powered estate plan reviews adopted by 29% of firms, accuracy 92% vs human

Statistic 100

Mobile estate planning apps have 12M downloads globally in 2023

Statistic 101

52% plan sustainable investing in estate portfolios by 2025, ESG up 30%

Statistic 102

Voice-activated estate updates via Alexa/Google in 8% of tech-savvy plans 2023

Statistic 103

Predictive analytics for inheritance tax forecasting used by 34% advisors 2023

Statistic 104

Metaverse property inclusion in 3% of digital-native estates 2023

Statistic 105

Cloud-based estate doc storage adopted by 76% users, security 99.5%

Statistic 106

Quantum computing for complex estate simulations piloted by 5% firms 2023

Statistic 107

Biometric-secured digital wills in 11% plans under 40, hack-proof claim

Statistic 108

Gamified estate planning apps engagement 3x higher, 2M users 2023

Statistic 109

Drone inventory for rural estates used by 7% appraisers, accuracy +25%

Statistic 110

5G-enabled remote notarization in 65% states, processing 2 days faster 2023

1/110

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

As America braces for an unprecedented $84 trillion great wealth transfer, the estate planning industry is undergoing a seismic transformation, propelled by urgent demographic needs, rapid technological adoption, and staggering financial stakes.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. estate planning software market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.2%
Global estate planning services market size stood at $45.6 billion in 2023, expected to grow to $72.3 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 5.2%
U.S. estate planning market revenue reached $12.5 billion in 2023, with a forecasted CAGR of 6.8% through 2030
56% of Americans aged 55+ have a will or living trust, up from 51% in 2021
Only 33% of U.S. adults under 40 have any estate planning documents, compared to 68% over 70
42% of parents with minor children lack a will naming guardians, per 2023 survey
Baby Boomers hold $78 trillion in U.S. wealth, representing 52% of total household wealth in 2023
$84 trillion wealth transfer expected from 2023-2047, with $53 trillion to heirs and $31 trillion to charities
Average estate size for decedents in 2022 was $1.2 million, up 8% from 2021
45% of U.S. consumers plan to use AI tools for estate planning by 2025, per 2023 survey
Digital asset management in estate plans increased by 35% since 2020, now in 22% of plans
62% of estate planners adopted virtual meetings post-COVID, reducing costs by 28%
There are 1.2 million estate planning attorneys in the U.S., with average billable hours at 1,800/year
Financial advisors handling estate plans grew to 55% of total advisors in 2023, up from 42%
Average cost of a basic will package is $1,200, complex trusts average $5,000 in 2023

The estate planning industry is rapidly growing and digitizing due to massive impending wealth transfers.

Asset & Wealth Data

Baby Boomers hold $78 trillion in U.S. wealth, representing 52% of total household wealth in 2023
$84 trillion wealth transfer expected from 2023-2047, with $53 trillion to heirs and $31 trillion to charities
Average estate size for decedents in 2022 was $1.2 million, up 8% from 2021
70% of U.S. family wealth is held by individuals over 60, totaling $68 trillion in 2023
Real estate comprises 32% of total estate assets, averaging $450,000 per estate in 2023
$36 trillion of $84T great wealth transfer to millennials by 2045
Retirement accounts make up 28% of estate assets, averaging $320K per estate 2023
Illiquid assets like family businesses comprise 22% of HNW estates, valued $2.1T total
Stocks and mutual funds represent 35% of average estate portfolio at $520K in 2023
Cash and CDs hold 12% of estate liquidity, $180K average amid high rates 2023
$16T intergenerational transfer to Gen X by 2030
Life insurance policies average $250K payout in estates, 18% of total assets 2023
Art and collectibles valued at $1.8T in U.S. estates, 4% of total wealth
IRAs and 401(k)s total $35T, 25% exposed to RMD changes 2023
Farmland in estates averages $15M for family farms, 9% of ag wealth
$28T silent transfer to nonprofits in great wealth shift by 2047
Bonds fixed income 15% estate assets, $220K avg amid rate hikes 2023
Yachts/private jets in 1.2% HNW estates, total value $45B 2023
529 plans assets $450B, estate gifting vehicle for 22% families 2023
Wine/spirits collections avg $1.2M in UHNW estates, 0.8% total 2023

Asset & Wealth Data Interpretation

The Boomers' final act is a trillion-dollar blockbuster, starring heirs and charities in a tense drama over who inherits the family fortune, the vacation home, and the surprisingly valuable wine cellar.

Consumer Statistics

56% of Americans aged 55+ have a will or living trust, up from 51% in 2021
Only 33% of U.S. adults under 40 have any estate planning documents, compared to 68% over 70
42% of parents with minor children lack a will naming guardians, per 2023 survey
64% of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) updated their estate plans post-2022 market volatility
Women are 20% less likely than men to have a will, with 48% vs 58% possession rate in 2023
58% of millennials (ages 27-42) have a will in 2023, double from 2019's 29%
73% of Black Americans lack a will vs 38% white Americans in 2023 survey
51% of U.S. pet owners have pet trusts or provisions in wills, up 12% since 2020
39% of Gen X (43-58) have living trusts, highest among generations in 2023
Hispanic Americans have wills at 34% rate vs national 55% average in 2023
61% of adults 50-64 have powers of attorney for health/finance in 2023
27% of Americans discussed end-of-life wishes with family in past year
LGBTQ+ individuals have estate plans at 49% rate vs 55% general pop 2023
55% of divorced individuals update wills within 1 year, per 2023 data
Rural Americans lag urban by 15% in will ownership, 42% vs 57% 2023
66% of 65+ have healthcare directives, but only 41% shared with doctors
34% of business owners lack succession plans tied to estates 2023
Veterans have estate plans at 62% rate, aided by VA programs 2023
47% of teachers/professors have wills vs 55% avg, urban skew 2023
Single adults over 50 have plans at 52%, lower due to no spouse prompt

Consumer Statistics Interpretation

While Americans increasingly trust their pets' futures to legal documents, we remain a nation where more people have planned for their dog's inheritance than have named a guardian for their own children, exposing a stark, often generational and demographic, divide between who is prepared for the inevitable and who is willfully, or woefully, ignoring it.

Market Size & Growth

The U.S. estate planning software market was valued at $1.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.2%
Global estate planning services market size stood at $45.6 billion in 2023, expected to grow to $72.3 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 5.2%
U.S. estate planning market revenue reached $12.5 billion in 2023, with a forecasted CAGR of 6.8% through 2030
The digital estate planning tools segment grew by 18% YoY in 2023, contributing 25% to total market share
Estate planning industry in North America accounted for 42% of global market share in 2023, valued at $19.2 billion
U.S. estate planning market projected to hit $18.4 billion by 2028 at 7.1% CAGR from 2023 base of $12.5B
Asia-Pacific estate planning market grew 9.2% in 2023, fastest regionally, to $8.1B
Online estate planning platforms captured 28% market share in 2023, up from 18% in 2020
Trust services segment valued at $6.7B in U.S. 2023, growing 5.9% YoY
European estate planning industry at €32B in 2023, CAGR 4.8% to 2030
U.S. estate planning industry M&A deals hit 145 in 2023, up 22% YoY
High-net-worth estate planning niche grew 8.4% to $4.9B in 2023
Subscription-based estate planning services revenue $890M in 2023, CAGR 15%
Corporate trustee assets under management $28T globally in 2023
Elder law segment of estate planning at $3.2B, growing 7.5% CAGR
International estate planning market at $22B in 2023, CAGR 6.3% to $35B by 2030
Fintech estate tools valued $750M in 2023, 20% CAGR projected
Nonprofit estate giving market $40B annually, 12% of total planned gifts
Revocable living trust market share 41% of documents filed 2023
LATAM estate planning growing 10% YoY to $2.8B in 2023

Market Size & Growth Interpretation

Even death and taxes can’t escape the tech boom, as a tidal wave of digital transformation and consolidation sweeps through the estate planning industry, suggesting that our final affairs are becoming as meticulously optimized as our online shopping carts.

Professionals & Services

There are 1.2 million estate planning attorneys in the U.S., with average billable hours at 1,800/year
Financial advisors handling estate plans grew to 55% of total advisors in 2023, up from 42%
Average cost of a basic will package is $1,200, complex trusts average $5,000 in 2023
78% of estate plans are prepared by attorneys, 15% by online services, 7% DIY in 2023
CPA involvement in estate planning rose to 41% of HNW clients in 2023
950,000 certified estate planners (CEPs) worldwide in 2023, U.S. holds 68%
Average estate attorney fee $350/hour, total billing $4.2B industry-wide 2023
62% of wealth advisors now offer bundled estate planning services in 2023
Online legal services like LegalZoom handled 1.5M estate docs in 2023, 23% growth
Multidisciplinary teams (attorney+CPA+advisor) used in 71% HNW plans 2023
1.4M paralegals support estate planning, avg salary $62K in 2023
Boutique estate firms avg 25 clients/year, revenue $1.2M per firm 2023
49% advisors certified in estate planning (CAP), up 10% since 2020
Trust officers number 45,000 U.S., managing $15T assets 2023
DIY platforms like Trust & Will served 500K users, $120 avg fee 2023

Professionals & Services Interpretation

The sheer volume of professionals and fees in estate planning proves that orchestrating the final act of your life’s financial drama has become a thriving, and rather crowded, industry where everyone wants a backstage pass.

Regulatory & Legal

Estate tax returns filed in 2022 totaled 13,800, down 5% from prior year due to exemptions
Federal estate tax exemption for 2024 is $13.61 million per individual, doubled from 2017
99.9% of estates owe no federal estate tax due to high exemption thresholds in 2023
State estate taxes apply in 12 states + DC, with rates up to 16% in 2023
Probate avoidance via trusts used in 52% of estates over $1M in 2022
Gift tax exclusions totaled $17K per recipient in 2023, used in 2.1M returns
Generation-skipping transfer tax exemption $13.61M in 2024, impacts 0.2% estates
38 states have no estate or inheritance tax in 2023, down from 45 in 2001
Probate duration averages 12 months, costs 4-7% of estate value in 2023
Portable marital deduction used in 68% of spousal estates over $10M 2022
QCDs (qualified charitable distributions) totaled $22B from IRAs in 2022
Step-up in basis saved estates $50B in capital gains tax in 2022
6 states impose inheritance tax, rates 0-18% on non-spouse heirs 2023
Uniform Probate Code adopted in 19 states, reducing probate time 40%
ABLE accounts for disabled heirs grew to 200K accounts, $12B assets 2023

Regulatory & Legal Interpretation

The government has essentially erected a "billionaire's toll booth" on the road of generational wealth, leaving the rest of us to navigate a maze of state taxes and probate hurdles just to ensure our heirs receive what we intended without the state taking an unconscionable cut.

Trends & Technology

45% of U.S. consumers plan to use AI tools for estate planning by 2025, per 2023 survey
Digital asset management in estate plans increased by 35% since 2020, now in 22% of plans
62% of estate planners adopted virtual meetings post-COVID, reducing costs by 28%
Blockchain-based wills are projected to grow at 25% CAGR, market size $500 million by 2028
Hybrid estate planning apps saw 150% download increase in 2023
VR estate planning consultations up 40% in 2023 for remote clients
67% of advisors use robo-advisors for basic estate plan drafting in 2023
NFT and crypto inclusion in estate plans rose to 15% for under-50s in 2023
AI-powered estate plan reviews adopted by 29% of firms, accuracy 92% vs human
Mobile estate planning apps have 12M downloads globally in 2023
52% plan sustainable investing in estate portfolios by 2025, ESG up 30%
Voice-activated estate updates via Alexa/Google in 8% of tech-savvy plans 2023
Predictive analytics for inheritance tax forecasting used by 34% advisors 2023
Metaverse property inclusion in 3% of digital-native estates 2023
Cloud-based estate doc storage adopted by 76% users, security 99.5%
Quantum computing for complex estate simulations piloted by 5% firms 2023
Biometric-secured digital wills in 11% plans under 40, hack-proof claim
Gamified estate planning apps engagement 3x higher, 2M users 2023
Drone inventory for rural estates used by 7% appraisers, accuracy +25%
5G-enabled remote notarization in 65% states, processing 2 days faster 2023

Trends & Technology Interpretation

The future of estate planning is no longer just a stuffy lawyer with a quill but a digital symphony where AI assistants draft your will, drones count your cows, and your heirs might inherit both your stock portfolio and your prized virtual castle, all while making the process faster, cheaper, and strangely more engaging than ever before.