Technically, an estate's accumulation phase extends right up to the moment of death, when the value of all property owned by (or in the control of) the decedent is added up. From a planning perspective, though, the accumulation phase winds down some time before the end, giving the property owner time to conserve assets in preparation for their ultimate distribution.

Each phase presents needs and opportunities for both product and process solutions. During the accumulation stage, the focus is often on one, several, or all of the following:

• Wealth Accumulation
• Estate protection through the purchase of life insurance to fund any of numerous estate planning needs or wishes.
• Expansion of the planning and financial analysis process to include other planning needs (e.g., college planning and retirement planning).
• Coordination and working with the client's other estate planning team members to position assets and take legal steps necessary to maximize asset preservation for the benefit of heirs and charitable interests.