PUBLISHED: MAY 2026 | TAX POLICY & ESTATE PLANNING As of September 30, 2025, a seismic shift occurred in American fiscal policy. Following Executive Order 14247, the IRS began its formal phase-out of routine paper refund checks. We moved into a "digital-first" era, where pixels replaced paper. But what happens when the digital trail goes cold? Specifically, what happens to the refund of a taxpayer who passes away before the money hits their account? There has been much concer

Caught in the Middle: If you find yourself constantly juggling the needs of your aging parents and the demands of your own children, congratulations (and commiserations) – you're part of the Sandwich Generation . It's a demanding place to be. You’re the linchpin, the primary caregiver, the financial support system, and the logistical coordinator for two generations simultaneously. With so many immediate plates spinning, it’s easy to push the less urgent, yet critically impo