Note From the Editor: March 2025Note From the Editor: March 2025

With the increased popularity of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, it’s not uncommon for individuals to discover relatives they never knew about. For example, in 2022, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine surveyed those who participated in genetic relative-finder services. Their findings, reported in the American Journal of Human Genetics, indicated that 82% learned the identity of at least one genetic relative who was previously unknown to them. As Margaret St. John Meehan and Brianna J. Sullivan note in “Modern Estate Planning in the Age of Genetic Testing,” p. 21, the emergence of unexpected relatives raises critical questions about inheritance rights, often necessitating updates to wills, trusts and other estate-planning documents. For example, depending on the jurisdiction, the newly discovered relative might be entitled to assets in the decedent’s estate. Their article explains the challenges posed by unexpected heirs and provides strategies for attorneys to handle these situations.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another new technology that has implications for estate planning. One of those involves ethical considerations. In his Technology column, “From Black Boxes to Best Practices: AI Ethics for Estate-Planning Attorneys,” p. 8, Craig R. Hersch tackles the risks AI poses to confidentiality and outlines the ethical obligations attorneys must uphold.

Finally, we’d like to welcome Caroline McKay of CIBC Private Wealth to the Insurance Committee of our editorial advisory board.