Aging Parents, Adult Children, and the Rise of Shared Planning

December 18, 2025 1 min read

There was a quiet but significant shift in 2025: estate planning stopped being a solo activity.

More families approached the process together—aging parents, adult children, sometimes even grandchildren. Not because they wanted control, but because coordination had become unavoidable.

Longer life expectancies played a role. So did rising care costs. Parents wanted to age comfortably without becoming a financial burden, and adult children wanted visibility without overstepping. Estate planning became the meeting point where those concerns could actually be addressed.

One noticeable trend was the increased use of powers of attorney and healthcare directives well before any health crisis appeared. Families had learned that waiting rarely worked out well. By 2025, planning early felt less morbid and more responsible.

There was also a growing emphasis on transparency. Parents chose to share high-level outlines of their plans—not every detail, but enough to prevent surprises later. That didn’t eliminate tension, but it reduced confusion. And confusion had been the real enemy all along.

In Canada especially, planners saw more conversations around inter vivo gifts—helping children now instead of later. Rising housing costs made inheritance feel abstract when support was needed immediately. The estate plan became flexible enough to address both.

What changed in 2025 wasn’t the law as much as the tone. These conversations felt calmer and less defensive. Families seemed more willing to treat estate planning as an evolving agreement rather than a final declaration.

It wasn’t perfect. Disagreements still surfaced. But the process itself became more collaborative, and that alone shifted outcomes in meaningful ways.

Richard Sanders, CPA, CA, CBV is a seasoned professional and Partner at a leading global Accounting firm, bringing over 35 years of invaluable experience to the advisory board. With a background in Accounting & Finance, he has demonstrated a keen sense of the challenges to business management and growth throughout his career.

Having held key partnerships with several Accounting firms, Richard has a proven track record of success in advising businesses in areas ranging from Audit to Internal Controls, Tax and Valuations. His strategic thinking has been crucial in guiding organizations through periods of startup and growth.

As an advisory board member, Richard provides strategic counsel and invaluable insights on Audit, Finance and Accounting. His expertise and vision play a vital role in shaping the organization’s strategy and driving sustainable growth over the long term.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Accounting & Business Management from the University of Toronto. He continues to stay at the forefront of the Accounting industry’s developments through ongoing education and professional development initiatives.

Richard’s passion for success and his commitment to guiding businesses make him an invaluable asset to the advisory board.

Bob is a distinguished leader in Software M&A, bringing over 40 years of invaluable experience to the advisory board. With a background in the Canadian & US Information Technology sectors, he has demonstrated a keen understanding of the challenges driving business innovation and fostering growth throughout his career.

Having held prominent roles within the Fortune 500, Bob has a proven track record of success in supercharging business growth. His strategic acumen and forward-thinking approach have been instrumental in guiding organizations through periods of change and transformation.

As an advisory board member, Bob provides strategic counsel and invaluable insights on business development, partnerships and strategic alliances. His expertise and vision play a vital role in shaping the organization’s long-term strategy and driving sustainable growth.

Bob holds a BSc in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Ottawa. He continues to stay at the forefront of the Information Technology industry’s developments through ongoing education and professional development initiatives.

Bob’s passion for excellence and his unwavering commitment to the Software Industry make him an invaluable asset to the advisory board, driving the organization’s mission and vision forward with clarity and purpose.

Request Quote

Login
Sign Up