Beyond Bloodlines - Estate Planning When You’re Childfree
Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Zoom webinar
Speaker: Jennifer B. Goode of Bernstein
Topic:
When it comes to estate planning, most parents naturally focus on their kids and grandkids, both in terms of who makes decisions and how assets should be divvied up. But what about planning for those who don’t have children?
As the number of nonparents grows, it becomes increasingly important to think about their estate planning needs. This session explores the nuanced considerations of estate planning when children are not in the picture. Topics covered will include best practices for client engagement regarding nontraditional family structures, drafting for flexibility in fiduciary selection and anticipated changes in a trust’s beneficiary pool, and the importance of testamentary charitable transfers to a nonparent client’s legacy.
Jennifer B. Goode
Jennifer is a Senior National Director of Bernstein's Wealth Strategy Group in the Washington, D.C. office. In her role, Jennifer works with Bernstein clients and their professional advisors to develop comprehensive wealth management and wealth transfer strategies. Her articles about tax and estate planning have appeared in a number of publications, including the ABA’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Journal, Bloomberg’s Tax Management Estates, Gifts, and Trusts Journal, and Practical Law. Jennifer frequently presents to professional groups across the U.S. on topics relating to the intersection of estate planning and investing. Prior to joining Bernstein, Jennifer was a Founding Partner of Birchstone Moore LLC, a Washington, D.C., boutique law firm focused on estate planning and estate and trust administration.
Jennifer earned her B.A. in Social Thought and Analysis from Washington University in St. Louis and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law.
