Advanced capabilities enable advisors to model complex estate planning strategies in minutes, transforming client conversations into collaborative planning sessions

Vanilla, the leading provider of estate planning technology for advisors, today announced Vanilla Scenarios™ Advanced Planning, the next evolution of its all-in-one scenario planning tool. Building on the strong foundation established since its introduction in April 2024, this evolution of Vanilla Scenarios™ delivers a more unified experience that enables financial advisors to model, compare, and present estate planning strategies with unprecedented speed and flexibility.

Vanilla Scenarios™ Advanced Planning represents the most advanced estate planning technology available today, powered by Vanilla’s patented technology and driven by extensive customer feedback and real-world usage patterns. The enhanced capabilities address the core challenge facing advisors: the fragmentation of tools that slows down planning, makes it harder to deliver clear recommendations, and adds unnecessary manual work to the advisory process.

Transforming Estate Planning Conversations

"Advisors have told us they want the ability to start client conversations faster, without having to gather documents or do extensive data entry," said Gene Farrell, CEO of Vanilla. "Scenarios delivers on this need by allowing advisors to begin modeling strategies in minutes with just rough net worth estimates, transforming the first client meeting into a collaborative planning opportunity."

This platform combines calculators, scenario builders, and embedded education in a single, intuitive workflow that adapts to both advisors new to or experienced in estate planning. Unlike traditional tools that require extensive upfront data collection, Scenarios enables advisors to start immediately and progressively add detail as client relationships develop.

Advanced Capabilities Setting New Industry Standards

Building on the proven foundation of the original Scenarios platform, this evolution introduces industry-leading capabilities including:

• Instant Scenario Modeling: Advisors can begin modeling in minutes with minimal data—no document uploads required
• Unified, Adaptive Workflow: Seamlessly integrates calculators, scenario modeling, diagrams, and educational content in one streamlined experience
• Flexible Data Entry: Supports both "Quick Add" top-down modeling and detailed balance sheet approaches
• Real-Time Visual Comparisons: Model and compare multiple scenarios side-by-side with dynamic charts and waterfall projections
• Progressive Complexity: Scales from basic illustrations to sophisticated multi-strategy analyses without requiring platform changes

Powered by Patented Technology

Vanilla Scenarios™ leverages Vanilla's patented Waterfall engine, enabling higher-fidelity calculations and more accurate real-world projections than traditional estate planning tools. The platform models practical, real-life situations—such as the financial impact of relocating to different states or various funding decisions—ensuring advisors plan for actual client circumstances rather than theoretical constructs. Vanilla's patented visualization technology translates complex estate data into intuitive, interactive charts and diagrams that make sophisticated planning concepts accessible to both advisors and their clients.

"Our goal with this evolution of Scenarios is to help advisors confidently expand their estate planning service offerings while delivering more sophisticated, real-world recommendations," added Patrick Carlson, Associate General Counsel at Vanilla. "The integrated educational content and flexible approach support advisors at every skill level, from those just getting started with advanced strategies to seasoned estate planners looking for more efficient workflows."

Availability and Upcoming Webinar

The evolved Scenarios platform is available now to existing Vanilla clients, with new client onboarding beginning immediately. The company continues to invest in expanding scenario types, AI-powered optimization capabilities, and enhanced integrations with complementary financial planning software.

Financial advisors interested in learning more about Vanilla Scenarios™ Advanced Planning, are invited to join Vanilla's upcoming webinar, “Transform Client Conversations with Vanilla Scenarios™ Advanced Planning” scheduled for August 20th at 11am PDT. The session will feature a live demo, real-world use cases, and Q&A with Vanilla's product experts. Register here.

About Vanilla

Vanilla is a leading provider of estate planning software solutions, dedicated to helping financial advisors deliver superior client experiences through innovative technology. The company's platform combines sophisticated estate planning calculations with intuitive user experiences, enabling advisors to model complex strategies, visualize outcomes, and communicate value effectively. Founded on the principle that powerful estate planning tools should be accessible to advisors at every skill level, Vanilla continues to expand its capabilities based on direct customer feedback and evolving market needs. Learn more at justvanilla.com.

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