Estate Planning

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act raises the estate tax exemption to $15 million per person in 2026, easing the rush around end-of-year planning. It also broadens incentives for private investments, real estate and philanthropy — prompting family offices to rethink long-term strategies.

Family office leaders and advisors say many families are now entering “simplification mode,” consolidating assets and rethinking estate plans to make them more manageable.

After a 37-year career creating and growing international brands at the Alberto Culver Company, founded by her parents, Carol Lavin Bernick negotiated the sale of the company to Unilever in 2011. Since then, she has led her family’s business office, Polished Nickel Capital Management. She discusses what she has learned about estate planning and what she teaches her children about wealth preservation.