Written by Phoebe Stone, JD, MA (Bioethics)

In the United States, an enormous amount of wealth is held in retirement assets. In fact, as of September 2025, more than $48 trillion is held in retirement accounts, and retirement assets account for more than one-third of all household financial assets. Given these statistics, trusts and estates practitioners and other professionals must be prepared to advise and assist their clients in planning for their retirement savings accounts.

In the past month, we have seen significant developments in estate planning, business law, elder law, and special needs planning. We have highlighted the most noteworthy developments to ensure you and your firm stay informed of any changes. From court rulings addressing spendthrift trusts, updated spousal impoverishment standards, new statutes restricting the use of noncompetition agreements, and a new law prohibiting the unauthorized use of an individual’s forged digital likeness, read on to learn how these developments may impact your practice.

Each May, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys observes National Elder Law Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of the legal, financial, and personal challenges that come with aging.