Estate planning for couples is the process of creating a coordinated set of legal and financial documents that protect both spouses, ensure assets pass according to shared wishes, and provide a clear roadmap for loved ones in the event of incapacity or death. For Bucks County families, this includes navigating Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax, aligning beneficiary designations with wills and trusts, and building a plan that evolves alongside a marriage.
Yet according to the 2025 Trust & Will Estate Planning Report, 55% of Americans have no estate planning documents at all. Among couples, the challenge runs deeper—one spouse may feel urgency while the other avoids the conversation. Old documents from a different stage of life sit forgotten in a drawer. Beneficiary designations from decades ago no longer reflect current wishes.
This article explains why couples fall into this gap, what’s really behind the delay, and how to move forward together. At Paladin Retirement Advisors, Jeff and Beth Beyer understand the dynamics of planning as a couple because they live it every day—as a husband-and-wife team with over 25 years of experience serving Bucks County families.
What You’ll Learn
- What Is the Estate Planning Gap — and Why Does It Affect Couples?
- The Real Causes Behind Couples Avoiding Estate Planning
- How to Identify Whether Your Estate Plan Needs Attention
- Solution Options for Bucks County Couples
- Why Bucks County Families Choose Paladin Retirement Advisors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Next Steps
What Is the Estate Planning Gap — and Why Does It Affect Couples?
The “estate planning gap” is the disconnect between knowing you need a plan and actually having one. For couples, this gap is wider and more consequential—when two lives are financially intertwined through shared mortgages, joint accounts, combined retirement savings, and children, the absence of a coordinated plan creates risk for both partners.
Caring.com’s 2025 Wills Survey found that only 24% of American adults currently have a will—down from 33% just three years earlier. Consider these warning signs the gap may be affecting your household: no current will or trust in place, outdated beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance, no powers of attorney or healthcare directives, or one spouse handling all finances while the other remains in the dark.
The consequences are not hypothetical. In Pennsylvania, while transfers between spouses are taxed at 0%, assets passing to adult children face a 4.5% inheritance tax, siblings pay 12%, and other heirs pay 15%. Without a durable power of attorney, even a spouse may need court approval to make financial decisions during a partner’s incapacity. Retirement accounts pass by beneficiary designation—not by marriage—meaning an outdated form could send your 401(k) to someone you never intended.
The Real Causes Behind Couples Avoiding Estate Planning
In our experience working with Bucks County families for over two decades, the reasons couples delay tend to follow recurring patterns.
Emotional Avoidance
Estate planning forces couples to confront uncomfortable realities—death, incapacity, and the possibility that one spouse will outlive the other. For many families in Washington Crossing, Newtown, and throughout Bucks County, the conversation feels morbid, so it gets perpetually postponed. In Caring.com’s 2025 survey, the number one reason Americans gave for not having a will was simply that they “hadn’t gotten around to it.” But “someday” is not a plan, and a health scare or sudden loss can make the need urgent overnight.
The Assumption That Marriage Equals Automatic Protection
Many couples assume being married means everything automatically goes to the surviving spouse. In Pennsylvania, jointly owned property between spouses is exempt from inheritance tax, and spousal transfers are taxed at 0%—but not all assets are automatically protected. Retirement accounts pass by beneficiary designation, not marriage certificate. Under the SECURE Act 2.0 (final regulations effective January 2025), most non-spouse beneficiaries must now withdraw all inherited IRA or 401(k) funds within 10 years, making beneficiary coordination more critical than ever.
Complexity and Changing Laws
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, permanently increased the federal estate tax exemption to $15 million per person ($30 million for married couples) effective January 1, 2026. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax rates remain unchanged, trusts hit the top 37% federal income tax bracket at just $15,650, and Pennsylvania still taxes gifts made within one year of death. The overlapping complexity of federal and state rules paralyzes many Yardley and Doylestown families into inaction.
One Spouse More Engaged Than the Other
In many households across Langhorne, Yardley, and throughout Bucks County, one spouse manages all finances while the other defers. This leaves the less-involved partner vulnerable if the managing spouse becomes incapacitated. Beth Beyer, COO of Paladin Retirement Advisors, is particularly passionate about this—she believes both spouses, especially women who statistically outlive their partners, should be fully involved and confident in their financial planning.
Relying on an Outdated Plan
Some couples in Doylestown, Langhorne, and across Bucks County created plans years ago when their children were young and tax laws were different. Plans drafted before the SECURE Act may include trust provisions built around the old “stretch IRA” rules that are largely gone. Plans predating the One Big Beautiful Bill Act may be structured around a $5–6 million exemption that no longer applies. Life changes—grandchildren, remarriage, the death of a named executor—can also render an existing plan ineffective.
How to Identify Whether Your Estate Plan Needs Attention
If you answer “no” to three or more of the following, your plan likely needs a professional review:
- Do both spouses have an up-to-date will?
- Have beneficiary designations been reviewed within the past three years?
- Does each spouse have a durable power of attorney and healthcare directive?
- Do you both know where all financial documents and accounts are located?
- Has your plan been reviewed since the SECURE Act (2020) and One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025)?
- Do you understand how Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax affects your heirs?
- Have you discussed end-of-life care wishes with each other?
If your combined estate exceeds $500,000 (including home equity, retirement accounts, and life insurance), or if you own a business or have children from a previous marriage, a fiduciary advisor and estate planning attorney can provide significant value.
Solution Options for Bucks County Couples
Essential Documents Every Couple Needs
Last Will and Testament. Directs how assets are distributed, names an executor, and designates guardians for minor children. Without one, Pennsylvania’s intestacy laws control—which may not match your wishes.
Durable Power of Attorney. Grants someone authority to manage your finances if you’re incapacitated. Without it, your spouse may need a costly, public court process for guardianship.
Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will. Designates a healthcare decision-maker and outlines end-of-life care preferences.
Beneficiary Designation Review. Retirement accounts and life insurance pass by beneficiary designation, overriding your will. Under the SECURE Act’s 10-year rule, how you structure these designations has major tax implications for your heirs.
Revocable Living Trust (when appropriate). Helps avoid probate, provides privacy, and offers greater control over distributions—particularly valuable for blended families or larger estates.
Key 2025–2026 Changes Affecting Your Plan
The federal estate tax exemption is now $15 million per person ($30 million for married couples) for 2026, made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The annual gift tax exclusion remains $19,000 per recipient ($38,000 for married couples). Pennsylvania offers a 5% discount on inheritance tax paid within three months of death. And SECURE Act 2.0 penalties for missed inherited IRA distributions (25% of the missed amount) are now being enforced as of 2025.
How Paladin Retirement Advisors Helps Couples Plan Together
Legacy Planning is one of the six pillars of Paladin’s proprietary S.H.I.E.L.D. framework. Jeff and Beth Beyer guide Bucks County couples through three complimentary strategy sessions:
Discovery Session: A 45-minute to one-hour get-to-know-each-other visit where both spouses discuss their situation and retirement vision.
Evaluation Session: A collaborative discussion to confirm assets, income sources, fees, risk tolerance, and goals—where estate planning gaps often become visible.
Implementation Session: Finalizing and implementing the plan through the S.H.I.E.L.D. framework, including legacy planning, tax strategies, and income planning.
As fiduciaries, Jeff and Beth are legally and ethically bound to put your interests first—always.
Why Bucks County Families Choose Paladin Retirement Advisors
Jeff Beyer brings over 25 years in financial services, with 16 years dedicated exclusively to retirement and estate planning. After beginning his career in investment banking with Wells Fargo and Merrill Lynch, Jeff created The Paladin Retirement FORMula and The 15% Solution™—proprietary processes that have helped hundreds of families build comprehensive, written retirement plans.
Beth Beyer, a summa cum laude graduate of Drexel University with a corporate background at GlaxoSmithKline and The Franklin Mint, serves as COO and licensed insurance agent. Beth’s passion for encouraging women to be fully involved in financial planning makes Paladin especially effective at helping couples plan together.
Together, they’ve called Washington Crossing home for 25 years and are deeply rooted in the Bucks County community. Jeff serves as an Ambassador for the Financial Awareness Foundation and the Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce, and as a Facilitator for the Bucks County Believers in Business Chapter. The S.H.I.E.L.D. framework covers Safety of Principal, Health and Long-Term Care Risk Management, Income Planning, Establishing an Investment Plan, Legacy Planning, and Decreasing Client Taxes—providing a comprehensive, personalized approach. Above all, Paladin’s fiduciary commitment is not a tagline—it is how the practice operates every single day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do my spouse and I need separate wills?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, each spouse should have their own individual will. While “joint wills” exist, they are uncommon and create legal complications—particularly for the surviving spouse. Individual “mirror” wills allow each partner to express their wishes while maintaining flexibility to update the plan as life evolves.
What happens if we die without a will in Pennsylvania?
State intestacy law determines how assets are distributed—typically your spouse receives a portion with the remainder divided among children or other relatives. The court also appoints an estate administrator and, for minor children, a guardian. These decisions may not reflect your family’s actual wishes.
How does Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax affect our family?
Pennsylvania has no state estate tax but imposes an inheritance tax: 0% for spousal transfers, 4.5% for direct descendants, 12% for siblings, and 15% for other heirs. Jointly owned property between spouses is exempt. Life insurance proceeds are generally exempt as well.
What is the federal estate tax exemption for 2026?
The federal estate tax exemption for 2026 is $15 million per individual ($30 million for married couples using portability), made permanent by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Most Bucks County families fall below this threshold, but Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax still applies regardless.
How often should we review our estate plan?
Review every three to five years, or after major life events: marriage, divorce, birth of a child or grandchild, death of a named beneficiary, significant asset changes, or major tax law changes like the SECURE Act 2.0 and One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
What is portability, and how does it help married couples?
Portability allows a surviving spouse to use the deceased spouse’s unused federal estate tax exemption. To claim it, the executor must file Form 706 even if no tax is owed—a step that is sometimes missed by families who don’t realize it’s necessary.
How does the SECURE Act affect our estate plan?
The SECURE Act replaced the old “stretch IRA” with a 10-year rule requiring most non-spouse beneficiaries to withdraw all inherited funds within a decade. If annual RMDs are required during that period, missing one triggers a 25% penalty. This can create unexpected tax burdens for heirs.
What’s the difference between a fiduciary and a broker?
A fiduciary is legally bound to act in your best interest at all times. A broker is held to a lower “suitability” standard. For estate and legacy planning, working with a fiduciary ensures advice is aligned with your family’s goals, not commissions.
How do I start the estate planning conversation with my spouse?
Frame it around protection, not death. Ask: “If something happened to one of us, would the other know where everything is?” Choose a calm time without distractions. If the conversation stalls, a complimentary Discovery Session with a fiduciary advisor can serve as a neutral starting point.
How much does estate planning cost in Bucks County?
Basic wills and powers of attorney for a couple typically range from $1,500 to $3,500 through an estate planning attorney in Bucks County. More complex plans involving trusts cost more. At Paladin, the Discovery Session is complimentary—no cost or obligation.
Next Steps: Start the Conversation Today
Key takeaways from this article:
- Estate planning is how couples protect each other and their family—it is not optional.
- The reasons couples delay are understandable, but inaction carries real consequences.
- Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax, the SECURE Act, and 2025–2026 federal changes all affect how Bucks County families should plan.
- Both spouses must be involved and aligned for a plan to truly work.
- A fiduciary advisor helps you navigate these decisions together—without jargon or pressure.
Ready to start? Jeff and Beth Beyer offer a complimentary Discovery Session where both of you can explore your situation, ask questions, and decide if Paladin is the right fit. No pressure, just good conversation and sound advice.
Phone: (215) 860-3101
Email: jeff@retirepaladin.com
Office: 532 Durham Rd., Suite 101, Newtown, PA 18940
Website: https://retirepaladin.com
Serving Newtown, Washington Crossing, Yardley, Langhorne, Doylestown, and families throughout Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
