Estate & Legacy Planning
Helping Wealth Support the People and Priorities That Matter Most
Estate and legacy planning helps connect your financial resources to the people, causes and long-term goals you care about most. It is about more than transferring assets. It is about making decisions today that can support family, preserve wealth and create a lasting impact.
At Johanson & Yau, estate and legacy planning is part of a broader financial planning relationship. We help clients think through how investment accounts, retirement assets, beneficiary designations, tax considerations, charitable goals and family priorities work together over time.
For professionals, families and business owners across Silicon Valley, this type of planning can be especially important when wealth includes concentrated stock, equity compensation, real estate, business interests or significant taxable assets.
Estate & Legacy Planning Explained
This short video explains how estate and legacy planning can help align family goals, wealth transfer strategies, tax considerations and long-term financial planning.
Estate Planning Priorities
Trust and Estate Coordination
Trusts and estate documents are prepared by attorneys, but financial planning plays an important role in helping those structures work as intended. This may include coordinating investment accounts, retirement assets and taxable accounts with the estate planning strategy.
Wealth Transfer and Legacy Planning
Many clients want to support children, grandchildren or other family members during life or through their estate. Planning helps evaluate how gifting, inheritance and family support decisions may affect both the client’s financial security and long-term legacy goals.
Business and Complex Asset Planning
Business interests, real estate, concentrated stock and equity compensation may require additional coordination when planning for wealth transfer. These assets can create unique tax, liquidity and family considerations that should be evaluated before they become urgent.
Why Clients Choose Johanson & Yau
Estate planning works best when legal, financial, tax and investment decisions are aligned. Johanson & Yau helps clients evaluate how assets are structured, how wealth may transfer and how estate planning fits within their broader financial plan.
Our advisors work alongside an established CPA firm and collaborate with estate attorneys as needed, which can be especially valuable for clients with taxable assets, equity compensation, business interests, charitable goals or multigenerational planning needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between estate planning and legacy planning?
Estate planning typically focuses on how assets will transfer during life or after death. Legacy planning also considers the broader goals behind those decisions, including family support, charitable giving and multigenerational wealth planning.
Why should estate planning be connected to financial planning?
Estate planning decisions can affect taxes, investments, retirement accounts, charitable giving and family wealth transfer. Coordinating these areas can help ensure the estate plan reflects the client’s broader financial goals.
How often should an estate plan be reviewed?
Estate plans should be reviewed after major life or financial changes, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or grandchild, business transitions, liquidity events or significant changes in assets. At Johanson & Yau, clients typically meet with their advisor at least every six months to review their financial plan, which may include estate and legacy planning considerations.
Does Johanson & Yau prepare wills or trusts?
No. Wills, trusts and other estate documents are prepared by estate planning attorneys. Johanson & Yau helps coordinate the financial planning, investment, tax and beneficiary considerations that support the estate planning process.
Our Approach
Our commitment to tax-intelligent investment planning, supported by a collaborative, team-based approach, helps us build lasting trust and create long-term client partnerships.
About Us
From CPAs to CFP® professionals, our team brings warmth, insight, and decades of experience to every relationship.
Contact Us
Contact us today to learn how our tax-intelligent investment strategies and team-driven can help you pursue your financial future with confidence.