💼 A cluster of personal-finance pieces this week lands on the same point: much of the “rich people” playbook isn’t about flashy loopholes. It’s about long-range planning that can make wealth transfers smoother and, in some cases, less taxable 13.
Fortune and an ABC News wire report stress that most Americans won’t owe federal estate tax. Still, families can benefit from getting organized and choosing wealth-transfer structures that reduce friction, delays, and legal complexity when an estate is settled 13. GoBankingRates widens the lens to everyday wealth-preservation habits that affluent households use to keep more of what they earn over time 2.
Sources
- The ultrawealthy have 3 big secrets on reducing taxes including the way they die [fortune.com] (2026-02-16)
- 6 Subtly Genius Ways Rich People Save Tons of Wealth [gobankingrates.com] (2026-02-16)
- How the rich pass on their wealth. And how you can too [abcnews.go.com] (2026-02-16)
Highlights
- Estate tax scope: Fortune says federal estate tax usually applies only to estates above about $15 million. Meanwhile, 16 states plus Washington, D.C., charge estate or inheritance taxes with their own thresholds—sometimes lower than the IRS exemption, though still generally aimed at millionaires 1.
- Trust tradeoff: Trusts can speed payouts to heirs and help avoid delays and added legal costs during estate settlement, but Fortune notes that setting one up often runs thousands of dollars in attorney fees 1.
- Heir-friendly assets: Fortune points to appreciated assets like stocks that can grow for decades and, when inherited, the “tax bill often disappears,” a reminder that what you own—and how it transfers—can matter 1.
- Compounding focus: GoBankingRates quotes an expert who says affluent clients often lean on strategic investing and the power of compounding, including tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, and HSAs to reduce tax drag 2.
Perspectives
Mark Bosler, estate-planning attorney: He says wealthy families follow a long-horizon “playbook” that goes well beyond a simple will, treating estate planning as a multi-decade strategy 1.
Shirley Mueller, finance expert: She says affluent clients focus on strategic investing and tax-advantaged accounts, and may also use charitable giving and trusts to manage tax exposure while supporting causes 2.
ABC News wire report: It reinforces the idea that heirs don’t automatically face a huge tax bill, and frames wealth-transfer planning as something that can help people beyond the very rich 3.
Action Items
- Check whether your state has estate or inheritance taxes: Start with your state’s department of revenue, then confirm exemptions and filing rules, since Fortune notes that some states plus Washington, D.C., levy their own estate or inheritance taxes 1.
- Price out a basic estate plan: Ask an estate attorney for a flat-fee quote for a will and durable powers of attorney, and whether a trust makes sense—keeping in mind that trusts can cost thousands to set up 1.