Alpha K2 Urges Families Above $30 Million to Look Beyond the Exemption as State Estate Taxes Remain

[Miami,USA], October 26, 2026: Alpha K2, a global advisory firm focused on wealth, risk management and specialty finance solutions, today encouraged high-net-worth families to look beyond the federal estate tax exemption as year-end 2026 approaches. The firm says families with combined net worth above $30 million, in particular, should not read a higher exemption as the end of [estate planning for families over $30 million](https://alphak2.com/home/global-advisors/estate-planning/).

A permanent exemption changes the question

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, the federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption is $15 million per person, or $30 million for a married couple, beginning in 2026. The amount is indexed for inflation and has no built-in sunset. Before the change, the exemption was scheduled to fall to roughly $7 million this year, which pushed many families to rush gifting and trust transactions.

Certainty is welcome news, but it does not make planning optional," said a spokesperson for Alpha K2. "For many families the question has moved from how quickly they can gift to how well their plan holds up over the next 20 or 30 years."

Three areas that still need attention

1. State estate taxes.** The federal exemption does not apply at the state level. Massachusetts, for example, exempts only $2 million, and Washington exempts $3 million. A family well below the federal threshold can still face a meaningful state tax bill depending on where it lives and where its property is located.

2. Estates above the exemption.** The top federal rate remains 40 percent on amounts above the exemption. Families over $30 million as a couple may want to consider lifetime gifting strategies that move future appreciation out of the taxable estate.

3. Income tax and asset basis.** With fewer estates facing federal estate tax, many advisors are paying closer attention to income tax outcomes. Some existing trusts can be reviewed to see whether appreciated assets could receive a basis adjustment at death without creating federal estate tax. This is a technical area that depends on trust language, state law and family goals.

## Liquidity and documents deserve a second look

A higher exemption can also leave older documents out of step with a family's current wishes. Alpha K2 recommends reviewing wills, trusts, formula clauses, beneficiary designations and powers of attorney to confirm they still reflect the intended outcome under the current law. Families with business interests, real estate or other illiquid holdings should also confirm how taxes, expenses and equalization between heirs would be funded, so that heirs are not forced into a sale at an inconvenient time.

A coordinated approach

Alpha K2 works with [ultra high net worth individuals and family offices]
to connect estate planning with investment strategy, risk management, insurance and succession planning. The firm coordinates with each family's existing legal and tax advisors so that decisions in one area are tested against the others.

The best plans are reviewed together, not in separate meetings with advisors who never speak to each other," the spokesperson added.

About Alpha K2

Alpha K2 supports qualified individuals, families, business owners and specialty-asset clients seeking coordinated guidance across wealth planning, risk management and complex financing requirements. The firm brings together risk management, wealth strategy and specialty financing under one coordinated approach. Availability and suitability of services depend on the client, transaction, provider and jurisdiction. This release is for informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Clients should consult their own legal and tax advisors. Financial outcomes are not guaranteed.

Media Contact: Alpha K2 | Info@Alphak2.com | https://alphak2.com/