What the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Means for Your Estate Plan

Why Planning Still Matters, Even in a More Stable Environment

If you have seen headlines about the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), you may be asking:

Do I still need an estate plan?

Has anything really changed?

These are important questions. And while recent updates may bring a sense of relief, they do not eliminate the need for planning. In fact, they create an opportunity to approach estate planning with greater clarity and intention.

What Stayed the Same

In recent years, one of the biggest concerns was the potential expiration of certain tax laws that could have significantly reduced how much wealth could be passed on tax-free.

OBBBA largely extends those provisions, meaning:

• The federal estate tax exemption remains historically high, currently around $15 million per individual and $30 million for married couples

• The step-up in basis at death remains in place, helping reduce capital gains taxes for heirs

• Many income tax rates remain lower than pre-2018 levels

At first glance, this may seem like a reason to delay planning. In reality, it provides something even more valuable: stability.

Stability Creates Opportunity

With more predictability in the law, estate planning can shift away from reacting to deadlines and toward building a strategy that truly aligns with your life.

This allows you to:

• Create a plan that adapts as your life evolves

• Balance tax efficiency with flexibility

• Design a strategy that works today and continues to work in the future

Estate planning has never been just about tax law. It is about preparing for life’s changes and protecting what matters most.

A Shift Toward Income Tax Planning

While estate tax rules remained largely unchanged, there has been a meaningful shift in focus. Income tax planning now plays a larger role in effective estate planning strategies.

For example:

• Certain trusts can reach higher income tax brackets faster than individuals

• How income is handled within those trusts can significantly impact long-term outcomes

• Expanded State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions may create new planning opportunities

• Capital gains and healthcare-related income thresholds continue to influence financial decisions

This shift highlights an important truth: estate planning today is not just about what happens when you pass away. It is about making smart, informed decisions throughout your lifetime.

Key Takeaways for Your Plan

Whether you already have an estate plan or are just getting started, a few core principles remain essential:

Plans should evolve

Changes in tax law matter, but so do life events such as marriage, children, retirement, and new assets.

Flexibility is key

Modern estate planning tools are designed to adapt as laws and circumstances change.

It is about more than taxes

A well-designed plan ensures the right people can make decisions for you, your assets are managed properly, and your loved ones are cared for.

A More Thoughtful Approach to Planning

The new law did not eliminate the need for estate planning. It simply shifted the focus.

With more stability in the current environment, this is an ideal time to take a proactive and thoughtful approach. Estate planning is not a one-time task. It is an ongoing process that grows and adjusts alongside your life and your family.

Plan with Confidence at Lansky Law Firm

A strong estate plan provides more than documents. It provides clarity, direction, and peace of mind for you and the people you care about most.

At Lansky Law Firm, we help you navigate changing laws, align your plan with your goals, and build a strategy designed to work today and adapt for the future.

Visit Us: 6800 Poplar Ave #225, Memphis, TN 38138

Call Us: (901) 767-7006

Learn More: www.lanskylawfirm.com

Take the next step

If your estate plan has not been reviewed recently, now is the time to make sure it still reflects your goals and takes advantage of today’s planning opportunities. Schedule a consultation with our team and move forward with clarity, confidence, and a plan designed to support your family for years to come.