As the estate planning industry continues to evolve, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for growth, innovation, and new opportunities.
Cody Barbo, CEO and Founder of Trust & Will, shared with me his top predictions for the year ahead—not only in estate planning, but also in the broader worlds of business, technology, and finance. Let’s dive in and see what Cody thinks lies ahead, and what he recommends to individuals and businesses to prepare for these trends.
Cody’s Top 3 Estate Planning Industry Predictions for 2025
1. Estate Planning Becomes a Household Name
Let’s face it—estate planning hasn’t exactly been a go-to topic at dinner parties. Most people couldn’t name a single estate planning brand if you asked them. But that’s all changing. Thanks to user-friendly platforms (ahem–like ours), big-name partnerships, and more recognition by the media, estate planning is stepping into the spotlight.
“For the first time, we’re entering an era where the average person might actually recognize an estate planning brand,” Cody Barbo explains. “This increased visibility is key—it drives awareness and action, making it more likely that people will protect their legacies.”
Think about how tax prep software and budgeting apps have become household names. Estate planning is on a similar trajectory. National ad campaigns, collaborations with well-known brands, and an unstoppable online presence are making it impossible to ignore.
And why does this matter? Because when people feel more familiar with estate planning, they’re much more likely to take action—and that means more families protected and more peace of mind all around.
2. Estate Tax Changes Are on Everyone’s Radar
The estate tax landscape could look a lot different in 2025, depending on what happens with the current estate tax exemption. Right now, the exemption is set to expire, which could drastically lower the amount of wealth you can pass on tax-free. But Cody thinks there’s a chance the deadline could be pushed back, and possibly even indefinitely.
“Given the current political climate, I predict that the estate tax exemption may be extended,” says Barbo. “If that happens, families and individuals who might’ve faced higher taxes could still enjoy the benefits of the current, higher exemption.”
But if the exemption does drop, we could see a frenzy of last-minute estate planning as people scramble to lock in their plans before the rules change.
Either way, estate planning pros will need to stay sharp and help clients adjust to whatever the future holds. Whether it’s maximizing tax savings or navigating new regulations, having an expert guide will be more important than ever.
3. Digital Tools Will Redefine Estate Planning
The most exciting shift? Estate planning is going full-speed into the digital age. The days of scheduling multiple in-person meetings and juggling stacks of paperwork are being replaced by online solutions that are faster, more secure, and easier to use.
“We’re seeing estate planning evolve from a highly manual, offline process to a streamlined, digital experience,” Barbo explains. “With innovations like secure cloud storage, automated trust funding, and AI-driven guidance, creating an estate plan has never been easier.”
In 2025, expect estate planning platforms to feel even more like the apps and tools we already rely on—quick, intuitive, and designed to fit into everyday life.
And it’s not just consumers who are benefiting. Legal professionals are integrating digital tools into their practices, freeing up time to focus on clients with more complex needs. This tech-driven shift means that estate planning is becoming more approachable for everyone—whether you’re doing it on your own or working with an expert.
Cody’s Predictions for Business, Technology, and Finance
Beyond estate planning, Trust & Will CEO Cody Barbo has key insights into what the future holds for business, technology, and finance in 2025.
1. IPOs Are Back in the Game
The IPO market has been pretty quiet over the past couple of years, thanks to economic uncertainty and cautious investors. But Barbo predicts that 2025 will be the year IPOs make their big comeback—and it could set off a chain reaction of economic activity.
“The reopening of the IPO market injects liquidity into the economy,” Barbo says. “When companies go public, early investors get returns, which leads to more reinvestment in startups and new ventures.”
When IPOs start flowing again, we’ll likely see fresh capital flooding into the market. This means more funding for startups, more innovative ideas coming to life, and renewed confidence in public markets—a win-win for businesses and investors alike.
2. AI Goes from Buzzword to Business-as-Usual
Artificial intelligence has been the “cool kid” in the tech world for a while now, grabbing headlines and boardroom attention. But Barbo predicts that in 2025, AI will move from being a shiny, hyped-up trend to a standard part of business operations.
“AI is moving from being a shiny object to becoming a practical part of the tech stack,” says Barbo. “It’s no longer about impressing stakeholders with AI capabilities—it’s about using AI to drive real results.”
In other words, AI won’t be something companies brag about anymore—it’ll just be something they use. Whether it’s optimizing customer service or improving financial modeling, AI will blend into the background, quietly making everything run smoother and faster.
This evolution means that companies will shift their focus from what AI can do to the results it delivers. Instead of talking about AI like a flashy new feature, they’ll be talking about the real-world impact it’s having on their bottom line.
3. Crypto’s Make-or-Break Year
Love it or hate it, cryptocurrency isn’t going anywhere. And 2025 might be the year that crypto finally grows up, thanks to regulatory changes that could legitimize the space.
“We’re seeing momentum for leadership changes at regulatory bodies, which could create a more favorable environment for cryptocurrency,” Barbo notes. “With the rise of Bitcoin ETFs and institutional investment, the crypto market is stabilizing.”
Clearer regulations could bring more confidence to the crypto world, attracting new investors and opening up mainstream adoption. That said, crypto will still have its fair share of ups and downs—it’s not exactly known for being a stable asset class.
But for those willing to ride the wave, 2025 could be a game-changing year for digital assets. With more guardrails in place, businesses and investors alike might finally feel like they’re on solid ground when it comes to crypto.
2025: A Year of Growth & Opportunity (Fingers Crossed!)
Cody’s predictions for 2025 paint an optimistic picture of growth, change, and opportunity. We’re just at the beginning, and only time will tell where this year will take us. Estate planning is becoming more accessible and visible, thanks to tech-driven solutions and strategic partnerships. Meanwhile, shifts in business and finance—like the return of IPOs, the normalization of AI, and the stabilization of cryptocurrency—are creating new paths for innovation and success.
Whether you’re protecting your legacy with an estate plan or exploring emerging markets in tech and finance, staying ahead of these trends will help you make the most of what’s next. And if Barbo’s predictions are right, 2025 could be a game-changing year for us all! Who wants to place bets?
Ready to get started? At Trust & Will, we’re here to help keep things simple. You can create a fully customizable, state-specific estate plan from the comfort of your own home. Our users have left over one billion dollars (and counting) to nonprofit organizations through estate plans created on the Trust & Will platform. Take our free quiz to see where you should get started, or compare our different estate planning and settlement options today!
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Trust & Will is an online service providing legal forms and information. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal advice.
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