Estate planning professionals primarily recommend tax planning strategies (68%), followed by spendthrift clauses and trustee discretion (both 55%). Spendthrift clauses notably increased 11% in 2025, while 92% of professionals recommend corporate fiduciaries at least sometimes.

To prevent family conflicts, transparent communication between grantors and heirs remains most effective (64%), though this approach declined 11% in 2025. Conversely, appointing professional trustees or advisors as co-trustees increased 13%, reflecting a shift toward professional oversight.

For high-net-worth clients, 55% consider trust-friendly jurisdictions, primarily for tax advantages (60%), creditor protection (45%), and asset protection benefits (42%). Professionals are nearly evenly split on whether geographic proximity matters when selecting these jurisdictions.