How the Precious Metals Rally Affects You: What You Need to Know About Asset Protection During Market Volatility

Gold, silver, and platinum all surged to record levels on Monday.

For California residents managing family wealth, retirement accounts, or estate assets during unprecedented economic uncertainty

Gold has surged past $5,100 per ounce. Silver has skyrocketed nearly 14% in a single day to reach $118. Platinum and palladium have hit all-time highs. If you’re a California resident managing family assets, retirement accounts, or an estate—or if you’re responsible for financial decisions during probate—you’re probably asking: What does this mean for my family’s financial security?

Source: ETF.com – Precious Metals ETFs Go Parabolic As Investors Rush For Safety

Why Are Precious Metals Surging Right Now?

Precious metals are experiencing what financial experts call a “parabolic rally”—a sharp, nearly vertical price increase driven by intense investor demand for safe-haven assets. Here’s what’s fueling the surge:

Geopolitical instability: Escalating global conflicts and trade tensions are creating uncertainty in traditional investment markets

Weakening U.S. dollar: The dollar has fallen 1.4% this year after dropping 9.4% in 2025, reducing confidence in U.S.-based financial assets

Inflation concerns: Persistently elevated inflation is eroding purchasing power and driving investors toward tangible assets

Central bank demand: Gold is now surpassing—or on the verge of surpassing—the U.S. dollar as the largest component of global central bank reserves

Government debt concerns: Ballooning government debt and questions about Federal Reserve independence are creating macroeconomic anxiety

What California Families Need to Understand About This Rally

1. How Should You Think About Precious Metals in Your Estate Plan?

If you’re managing California-based assets—whether for yourself, aging parents, or as part of an estate or trust—this rally raises important questions:

Asset diversification: Should your estate plan include exposure to precious metals as a hedge against dollar weakness and inflation?

Liquidity concerns: Precious metals have doubled (gold) or nearly quadrupled (silver) since early 2025. If your estate holds significant precious metal investments, how liquid are these assets for beneficiaries?

Valuation timing: For probate purposes, when precious metals are held in an estate, their valuation can significantly impact estate tax calculations and distribution timing

2. What If You’re Managing Assets During Probate?

If you’re serving as an executor or trustee in California and the estate includes precious metals or precious metal ETFs, this volatility creates specific challenges:

Timing of liquidation: With prices at record highs, should you liquidate now or hold? This decision requires careful fiduciary consideration

Documentation requirements: California probate courts require detailed accounting. Rapidly changing precious metal values demand meticulous documentation

Beneficiary communication: When asset values swing dramatically, transparent communication with beneficiaries becomes critical to avoid disputes

3. Real-World Scenario: The Retiree’s Dilemma

Consider this common situation California estate planning attorneys encounter:

A 68-year-old California retiree holds 15% of their retirement portfolio in gold and silver ETFs. Over the past year, this portion has grown from $150,000 to $300,000. They’re asking: Should I rebalance? What happens if I pass away while markets are this volatile? Will my beneficiaries pay higher estate taxes on inflated values?

These aren’t just investment questions—they’re estate planning questions that require coordination between financial advisors and estate attorneys.

The Numbers Behind the Rally: What Investors Are Seeing

ETF performance tells a striking story:

SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (GLDM): Up 18% year-to-date in 2026, following a 64% gain in 2025

abrdn Physical Silver Shares ETF (SIVR): Up 60% year-to-date in 2026, following a 145% gain in 2025

abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF (PPLT): Up 37% in 2026, following a 125% surge in 2025

abrdn Physical Palladium Shares ETF (PALL): Up 32% in 2026, following a 74% gain in 2025

Global gold ETFs pulled in $89 billion in 2025 alone, with another $4.1 billion added so far this year.

Warning Signs: Could This Rally End Abruptly?

Financial experts note that such sharp spikes in precious metals have historically ended in abrupt “blow-off” tops. The speculative intensity of this move—with industrial metals like platinum and palladium also skyrocketing—suggests heightened market emotion rather than purely rational positioning.

For California families managing long-term wealth:

This isn’t a time for panic, but it is a time for review

Estate plans created even 12-18 months ago may need updating to reflect dramatically different asset values

Trusts with specific dollar thresholds or percentage-based distributions may need recalibration

How California Probate and Trust Can Help

At California Probate and Trust, PC, we understand that financial market volatility creates real anxiety for California families trying to protect what they’ve built. Whether you’re:

Planning your estate and wondering how to structure assets during uncertain times

Serving as executor or trustee managing volatile investment positions

Updating an existing trust to reflect dramatically changed asset values

Coordinating estate planning with financial advisors during market turbulence

Our experienced estate planning attorneys provide the clarity and guidance you need. We offer FREE consultations to California residents to assess your specific situation and develop a personalized strategy that protects your family—regardless of what happens in financial markets.

Schedule Your Free Estate Planning Consultation

Contact California Probate and Trust, PC today to discuss how market volatility affects your estate plan and what steps you should take to protect your family’s future.

📞 (866)-674-1130

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Offices in Fair Oaks, Sacramento, and San Francisco serving California families with transparency and compassion.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. The information presented is based on publicly available market data as of January 29, 2026, and market conditions can change rapidly. This content should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with qualified legal, financial, or tax professionals. California Probate and Trust, PC provides legal services related to estate planning, trust administration, and probate matters, but does not provide investment advice or recommendations regarding specific securities or investment strategies. Past performance of any investment is not indicative of future results. Each individual’s situation is unique, and estate planning strategies should be tailored to your specific circumstances. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this article. For personalized legal guidance regarding your estate plan or probate matter, please schedule a consultation with a qualified California estate planning attorney.