For many significant-wealth families, including those who operate a formal family office and those who manage wealth through a trusted advisor circle, 2026 is shaping up to be a year that deserves close attention. It is not a year to drift toward with the hope that planning will fall into place.
The potential changes ahead touch taxes, markets, multigenerational planning, and long-term structural themes. Families who take time now to review where they stand may find more flexibility than those who wait until decisions feel compressed.
At this level of complexity, families often tell us they want support that helps them streamline information, coordinate professionals, and revisit their long-term strategy with confidence. Finley Davis Private Wealth works alongside families in exactly this way, helping bring order to moving pieces and anchoring decisions to each family’s vision for the future.
The following 2026 family office opportunities outline areas worth revisiting and questions that may help spark the conversations many families intend to have but often put off.
1. Planning Ahead for the 2026 Tax Landscape
For U.S. families, 2026 is shaping up to be a year that deserves real attention, not just a transition on the calendar.
Current legislation places the unified estate, gift, and GST exemption at roughly $15 million per individual for transfers in 2026, with a 40 percent rate on amounts above that level.* This may offer meaningful planning opportunities, yet many families assume the window is longer than it truly is.
Earlier projections of a lower exemption still create uncertainty. And uncertainty often leads to hesitation. That hesitation is often what keeps planning from progressing.
Where to focus
- Review trusts, entities, and liquidity relative to long-term goals.
- Compare several “what-if” scenarios with your legal and tax advisors.
- Explore life insurance strategies that may support legacy intent or future liquidity.
Questions to explore
- “If we made no structural changes, how might different 2026 outcomes affect our estate?”
- “Do our current planning decisions reflect what we want today, or what made sense several years ago?”
*Source: Internal Revenue Code §§ 2001(c), 2010(c); Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Pub. L. No. 115-97; Internal Revenue Service, Estate and Gift Taxes, IRS.gov.
2. Understanding the Role of AI in Long-Term Allocation
AI continues to influence global markets, infrastructure demand, and corporate investment. The speed of development may prompt families to revisit how much AI-related exposure they hold and how it fits within long-term strategy.
This holds true whether investment oversight comes from a dedicated family office team or a close network of advisors.
Where to focus
- Evaluate themes tied to AI infrastructure: power, data centers, cybersecurity, semiconductors.
- Assess position sizing and risk budget.
- Consider pacing and the long-term relevance of each theme.
Questions to explore
- “Does our exposure reflect long-term opportunity or short-term momentum?”
- “If valuations change, which AI themes would we still want as part of our plan?”
3. Lean Into Real Assets Tied to Structural Change
Long-term capital spending in energy transition, infrastructure upgrades, and reshoring continues to shape global outlooks for 2026 and beyond. These themes may appeal to families willing to trade some liquidity for long-duration opportunities.
Where to focus
- Grid modernization, storage, renewable generation, and transmission.
- Upgraded industrial and essential-service assets.
- Real estate tied to logistics, data centers, and other infrastructure needs.
Questions to explore
- “Which real assets may benefit from long-term investment in resilience?”
- “Are we holding more of yesterday’s real estate themes than tomorrow’s?”
4. Reviewing Concentration and Rebalancing for the Long Term
Many significant-wealth families carry concentrated exposures tied to business success, legacy stock, or private investments. These positions may deserve a fresh look as 2026 approaches, especially if they have grown disproportionately.
Where to focus
- Identify concentrations across public and private investments.
- Explore diversification paths aligned with long-term goals.
- Discuss tax-aware transition strategies with your CPA.
Questions to explore
- “If our largest positions remained flat for several years, how might that influence our long-term plans?”
- “Do our allocations today reflect intention or inertia?”
5. Reviewing Governance and Preparing the Rising Generation
Governance matters whether a family operates a formal office or makes decisions as a family unit. Clear roles, communication expectations, and next-generation involvement often become more important as complexity increases.
Where to focus
- Revisit decision-making frameworks.
- Identify areas where rising family members may step in.
- Evaluate cybersecurity and vendor oversight as part of broader risk planning.
Questions to explore
- “Does everyone understand who makes which decisions?”
- “What capabilities do younger family members need to participate more fully?”
6. Connecting Philanthropy With Multigenerational Legacy
Philanthropy often plays a central role in long-term planning. Many families intend to review their charitable strategies but delay it because the planning feels involved. As 2026 approaches, it may be an ideal time to revisit these conversations.
Where to focus
- Evaluate charitable structures with legal and tax advisors.
- Align giving with values and future intentions.
- Introduce next-generation input where appropriate.
Questions to explore
- “What impact do we hope our giving will make long term?”
- “How does our philanthropy reflect what we want our family to stand for?”
A Practical Framework for the Next 90 Days
- Revisit long-term goals and what matters most to the family.
- Review structures and planning with legal and tax advisors.
- Model several potential 2026 scenarios.
- Update investment guidelines to reflect evolving priorities.
- Revisit governance and communication expectations.
How Finley Davis Private Wealth Fits Into This Landscape
Finley Davis works with both formal family offices and families who manage significant wealth without a dedicated office structure. Our role is to support the work already underway, help organize moving pieces, collaborate with your legal and tax professionals, and offer investment structure guidance that aligns with your long-term goals.
Families often turn to us when they want:
- Coordination across complex planning conversations
- Support refining investment structure and oversight
- A sounding board for long-term strategy
- Help bringing multiple advisors onto the same page
- A partner who understands both the technical and personal sides of multigenerational wealth
We don’t replace your team, we help your team function more cohesively.
Conclusion: A Window Worth Paying Attention To
The most meaningful 2026 family office opportunities aren’t limited to families with formal offices. They apply equally to significant-wealth families who want to make thoughtful, well-paced decisions before planning windows narrow.
If you’d like to explore how these themes may apply to your situation, Finley Davis Private Wealth is ready for the conversation.
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