Vanilla Blog

Jessica Lantz

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Feb 05, 2026

2025 was a groundbreaking year at Vanilla. We fundamentally changed how advisors approach estate planning, from announcing our patented estate planning technology to reimagining scenario modeling from the ground up. There’s been a lot to celebrate. We welcomed almost 400 new customers. Over 22,000 new estates were modeled with Vanilla, and we delivered over 60 revolutionary new features to make estate planning easier than ever.  Let's walk through the major milestones that shaped 2025. Auto-abstraction In February, we launched auto-abstraction through Vanilla Document Builder. Advisors are saving hours per client by having Vanilla automatically generate professional estate diagrams when clients...

Vanilla

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Feb 03, 2026

In case you missed it, Vanilla's 2026 State of Estate Planning Report is out, and it's packed with insights about how consumers really think about estate planning. This annual survey of over 1,000 U.S. consumers explores how people view legacy, family dynamics, and the role of advisors and technology in the planning process. The full report is worth a read, but here's a skimmable roundup of some of the findings that stood out most. Read the complete, ungated State of Estate Planning report here. Estate planning, family, and values Estate planning is personal. It's less about tax optimization and more...

Sarah D. McDaniel, CFA

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Feb 02, 2026

February's designation as American Heart Month offers more than a themed social media post, it's an opening to facilitate crucial conversations that deepen client relationships and establish trust with the next generation. The heart month hook: from health to healthcare planning Every February, Americans are reminded to prioritize heart health, scheduling checkups, improving diets, and reducing stress. It's a month dedicated to prevention and preparedness. Yet while clients may dutifully schedule their cardiology appointments, most haven't had equally important conversations about what happens if a health crisis does occur. This disconnect creates an opportunity for advisors. The national focus on...

Jessica Lantz

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Jan 28, 2026

January brings powerful upgrades that streamline how you manage complex estate data and present plans to clients. From flexible Balance Sheet organization to AI transparency and dynamic estate visualizations, these releases help you work more efficiently while delivering exceptional client experiences. Balance Sheet grouping: Organize complex data with ease The challenge: Estates with numerous assets create lengthy Balance Sheets that make it harder to highlight what matters most and understand critical financial information at a glance. The solution: Create custom groups to consolidate similar assets or accounts into single, collapsible line items, reducing visual clutter  Quickly expand grouped items to...

Vanilla

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Jan 27, 2026

When clients come to their advisors about estate planning, they're rarely asking about trusts and tax brackets first. They're asking: Will my kids be okay? Will my spouse be taken care of? Will the business I built survive me? Will my family stay close when I'm gone? Estate planning lives at the intersection of money and meaning. It asks clients to confront mortality, navigate family dynamics, and articulate what legacy truly means to them. Few other services offer advisors such an intimate window into their clients' lives. This year, we surveyed over 1,000 U.S. consumers to understand how they think...

Vanilla

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Jan 19, 2026

The financial advisory profession has shifted from selling investments to building long-term client relationships grounded in comprehensive wealth stewardship. Today’s clients expect a holistic approach to financial planning from their financial advisor, and the ongoing commoditization of investment management means that advisors can no longer rely on returns alone to prove their value. Think of this shift as an opportunity to deepen client relationships, boost satisfaction, and differentiate your practice, particularly if you’re serving mass affluent clients and high earners building wealth. Leveraging the following 12 strategies can help you deliver the end-to-end experience modern clients are looking for while...

Sarah D. McDaniel, CFA

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Jan 08, 2026

The new year naturally prompts clients to reflect on their priorities and reassess their goals. While many focus on financial resolutions and self reflection, this mindset creates an ideal opportunity to introduce estate planning conversations to ensure client wishes are properly documented and their loved ones protected. Just as clients wouldn't operate with an outdated financial strategy, their estate plans require regular attention to remain aligned with current circumstances and intentions. A systematic review identifies gaps between clients' current plans and present reality, demonstrating your commitment to holistic wealth management beyond investment performance. Frame it as an estate health check...

Vanilla

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Jan 06, 2026

Though an often overlooked part of financial planning, estate planning is a critical part of a well-rounded wealth management strategy. In fact, estate planning is about much more than just creating a will. A thoughtful estate plan is a comprehensive strategy for things like:  Managing one’s wealth during life and after death Ensuring one’s family is cared for Supporting causes that align with one’s values Minimizing taxes and fees Documenting wishes in case of incapacitation Planning for one’s future legacy The common myth that estate planning is only for the ultra-wealthy is patently false. Estate planning benefits individuals at all...

Sarah D. McDaniel, CFA

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Jan 05, 2026

Let’s face it—most people procrastinate. Deadlines are often the only motivators that spur action, and for financial planning, this “crunch time” tends to hit in November and December. Unfortunately, this end-of-year rush isn’t ideal for a number of reasons: The holidays: Advisors and clients alike are juggling travel, vacations, and family obligations. Emotional decision-making: Whether it’s the stress of family reunions or the joy of celebrations, emotions can cloud judgment. Rushed choices: Big-picture financial planning requires clarity and focus, neither of which are easy to achieve in a hectic environment. The result? A less-than-optimal setup for making critical long-term decisions....

Karen Nachbar

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Dec 29, 2025

As Vanilla’s Chief Legal Officer, I talk to customers every day about the trust they have put in us to handle their clients' most confidential financial and estate planning data. I’m thrilled to share that Vanilla has successfully completed its annual SOC 2 Type II audit with no findings—marking our fourth consecutive year (since we began our SOC 2 audits in 2022) with a clean report. This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security, availability, and confidentiality for our customers' data. What This Means for Our Customers A SOC 2 Type II audit is an...

Vanilla

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Dec 18, 2025

As your clients’ lives evolve, so should their estate plan. Your role as their financial advisor is to guide them through each stage, ensuring their plans stay relevant and aligned with their goals while working alongside estate attorneys to protect what they've built. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to position your estate planning services and deliver real value throughout the entire estate planning process. Why estate planning requires wealth management expertise For even simple estates, clients need professional help beyond drafting documents. They need someone who understands how their wealth connects to their legacy goals....

Vanilla

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Dec 16, 2025

Through the partnership, Vanilla’s modern estate planning platform offers streamlined workflows, deeper client conversations, and planning confidence to Cetera advisors BELLEVUE, WA – December 16, 2025 – Vanilla, the trusted and modern estate planning platform for financial advisors, today announced a partnership with Cetera Financial Group (Cetera), the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, that supports independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions.Through the partnership, Cetera’s network of more than 12,000 financial advisors and institutions can leverage Vanilla’s comprehensive estate planning platform to simplify complex workflows, visualize planning scenarios, and support more engaging, outcome-driven...