2026 Private Client industry report: What to expect

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(Sponsored content.) Estate planning in the UK is becoming more complex, strategic and relevant earlier in life, according to a new 2026 Private Client Industry Report published by LEAP Estates, part of LEAP Legal Software

The report is the first of its kind, based on aggregated, anonymised data from the LEAP, LEAP Estates, and Willsuite platforms, to analyse real private client activity across England and Wales in 2025. The data sample is based on over 242,000 wills and 176,000 lasting powers of attorney, painting an accurate picture of the current state of the private client industry and where this is headed in 2026.

Andrew-Hitchon

Andrew Hitchon, Head of Private Client LEAP Estates

Drawing on live legal matters, the data provides insight into four core areas:

Demographic shifts in demand
How longevity impacts trust planning
An increase in blended families leads to exclusions
Regulatory updates call for change

2026 Private Client industry report: What to expect in the year ahead

Key insights from the report

Key findings show that estate planning is no longer confined to later old age; engagement increasingly occurs in later working life and early retirement, as individuals seek to protect assets, plan for incapacity, and manage more complex family arrangements.

Long-term demographic changes in the UK are also affecting when individuals engage in estate planning and their expectations of the process. An ageing population, delayed life milestones, and ongoing cost-of-living pressures are leading to earlier planning, often in late working life or early retirement. Estate planning is increasingly seen as providing protection, control, and certainty over a longer lifespan, rather than as a one-time administrative task.

As life expectancy rises and more years are spent managing illness or reduced capacity, estate planning now encompasses long-term asset management and incapacity planning. The report identifies a sharp rise in trust planning linked to increased longevity. In 2025, 36.2% of all wills included one or more trusts, reflecting a shift towards long-term asset stewardship.

Changing family structures are another major driver. The report finds trusts are increasingly used to manage inheritance risks in blended families. Among wills containing trusts, 72% of exclusions are linked to estrangement, indicating deliberate planning rather than accidental omission. For private client practitioners, this highlights the need to address family dynamics as a standard part of estate planning.

Regulatory developments are also reshaping the landscape. The Law Commission’s May 2025 proposals, along with reforms to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, signal ongoing changes that will require private client professionals to remain vigilant and adaptable.

Private client: A growing market

The UK wills, probate, and trusts market is already experiencing significant growth, which is expected to continue into 2026, driven by complex estate planning needs, legislative changes, and demographic shifts.

The four key trends outlined in the report show that the sector is expanding, becoming more complex, and increasing in strategic importance. For private client firms, success will depend on addressing longer lifespans, more complex family structures, and regulatory changes by providing earlier engagement, deeper expertise, and tailored estate planning solutions for a longer and more varied later life.

The 2026 Private Client Industry Report is available to download at: www.leapestates.co.uk/brochures/2026-private-client-industry-report/

This year’s Private Client Industry Report is grounded in observed behaviour, giving us a clear indication of what individuals are putting in place when engaging with estate planning, thus offering a more accurate picture of how social, economic and legal shifts will impact the industry in 2026.

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