Over the next decade, more than $1 trillion will move between generations in Canada. This isn’t a distant shift; it’s already happening. And for financial advisors, it’s a moment of truth: will families stay, or will they walk away?
Our new 2025 Inheritance Gap Report explores the disconnect between what Canadians expect and what their advisors deliver when it comes to estate planning.
Clients want these conversations, but they aren’t happening
Canadians expect estate planning to be part of financial advice. Yet 46% of Canadians with an advisor say the topic has never been raised, even though 75% say it’s important. The gap is even larger among younger generations, where demand for estate planning is growing fastest.
Advisors who avoid the conversation risk more than missed opportunities; they risk losing relevance with the very clients who will drive their growth.
Families are unprepared, and continuity is breaking down
Estate planning isn’t just about legal documents, it’s about preparing families for the future. But too often, advisors don’t have ties beyond the primary client. In fact, 41% of Canadians with an advisor say their advisor has never built a relationship with their spouse or children.
The result is predictable: when wealth transfers, families often transfer their business elsewhere. Advisors who aren’t building relationships across households are already losing out.
Advisors who lead will hold onto families
The findings are clear. Estate planning has shifted from being a "nice to have" to a core element of comprehensive financial and legacy guidance.
Advisors who raise the conversation, build relationships with the whole family, and help clients plan for the future will be the ones who keep families through the wealth transfer.
Download the 2025 Inheritance Gap Report to see the full findings →
If you’re an advisor looking for a simple, legal way to bring estate planning into every client conversation, learn more about Willful for Professionals →
