Washington is once again in a government shutdown. Investors may be asking, does this really matter for the economy and markets? History provides a valuable perspective. What History Shows Shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass appropriation bills or a temporary funding extension. When that happens, federal agencies close, hundreds of thousands of workers are…
Commercial real estate (CRE) has long been one of the most attractive avenues for building and preserving wealth. For investors, developers, and business owners, financing is often the key that unlocks opportunities in this space. While traditional banks and public lenders remain common sources of capital, many sophisticated clients turn to private banks for a…
Life insurance can be a powerful tool to incorporate into your estate and broader financial plan, particularly if you are a business owner. This is due, in large part, to the tax-free nature of income tax treatment of life insurance death benefits. Life insurance serves as a tax-efficient tool that allows you to pass wealth…
Consistently updating your estate planning documents is essential to ensure your wishes are accurately reflected and legally enforceable as your life circumstances change. Consider these top eight life situations or events that highlight the importance of regular updates. 1. Life Changes Major life events often require updates to your estate plan. These include: If your documents…
While we don’t all have billions of dollars to give away, the mindset and strategies of billionaire philanthropists like Melinda French Gates and MacKenzie Scott can be adopted to make anyone more impactful, intentional, and fulfilled in their giving. Giving requires having the right mindset and a thoughtfully integrated approach. Here are a few things…
Most people are familiar with traditional investments, such as stocks and bonds; however, alternative investments may be foreign to many investors. Although alternative investments can be traced back to the 1800s, they gained notoriety in the 1980s to protect assets from market volatility1. What are alternative investments? An alternative investment (also known as Alts) is…
As Americans celebrated Independence Day, Congress passed President Trump’s sweeping “The One, Big, Beautiful” bill, and the U.S. simultaneously executed a successful strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Equity markets have responded with exuberance, rallying sharply on renewed optimism. This surge follows a volatile first half of 2025, marked by the shock emergence of DeepSeek AI…
To quote the lead character in the 1986 movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” The same can be true for our finances; it’s easy to lose track of where our money goes. However, lifetime spending with intention…
Most employees in 401(k) retirement plans are not professional investors, and they don’t need to be. However, in a retirement system that increasingly places responsibility on individuals to make informed investment decisions, having a basic understanding of your available options is essential to achieving long-term financial security. One of the most common and impactful tools…
As parents age, adult children often find themselves in the dual role of caregiver and financial planner — a balancing act that can be emotionally and financially taxing. This dynamic, frequently referred to as the “sandwich generation,” describes those who support their children while caring for aging parents. One crucial yet often overlooked aspect of…
In today’s fast-paced world, planning for the unexpected is more important than ever, especially when it comes to our health and medical care. A living will serves as a vital safeguard for individuals and their loved ones, articulating one’s preferences for medical treatment in situations where they may be unable to voice those choices. This…
As summer travel season approaches, many of our clients are making plans to explore destinations across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Whether your itinerary includes sun-soaked beaches, historic cities, or family adventures abroad, it’s important to think ahead when managing foreign currency needs. Smart foreign exchange (FX) strategies can help you avoid unnecessary fees, reduce risk,…
The first half of 2025 will be remembered for two defining events: the onset of reciprocal tariffs, marking an American trade war with the world, and Chinese AI developer DeepSeek’s revelation that shattered the myth of American AI supremacy. Amidst the fierce rivalry between America and China, these occurrences exposed the opposing forces of de-globalization…
As families accumulate wealth, trusts offer protection, growth, and efficient transfer from an individual (or grantor) to beneficiaries. While previously thought to be reserved for the ultra-wealthy, trusts are an excellent financial planning resource and are gaining popularity among the broader public. Today, we review how trusts may help families prepare for a multitude of…
An Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) is a type of trust account used by attorneys to hold client funds that are either too small in amount or held for too short a period to generate interest for the individual client. Instead of the interest benefiting the client, the interest is pooled and directed toward…
If you’re among the millions of Americans, like my wife and I, who purchased or refinanced their homes during the early years of the pandemic, you were likely fortunate enough to secure a mortgage rate between 2.5% and 4%. Mortgage rates reached an all-time low in January of 2021, but have since more than doubled,…
People often ask whether they need a living trust for their estate plan. The answer depends upon your goals for managing your assets during your lifetime and how you would like to transfer them after your passing. Here are some key points to consider when determining whether a living trust is right for you. What…
The largest wealth transfer in history is happening right now. Baby Boomers—who control an estimated $84 trillion in assets…
Despite the short-term volatility in the market, it’s important to remain optimistic about the long-term outlook.
The announcement of blanket tariffs on all foreign goods coming to the U.S. resulted in a sharp market selloff yesterday. Indications for today show no reprieve, as China, the world’s second-largest economy, is imposing its tariffs on U.S. goods. While historically, similar sparks have ignited a global trade war, immense uncertainty remains. Further retaliatory announcements…
Estate planning is one of the most thoughtful decisions property owners can make when placing real estate assets in a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Many people think estate planning is just about writing a will, but it involves much more—especially if you own valuable property. Using an LLC for real estate can provide legal protection,…
Financial planning can have many definitions. It can relate to your business, your finances, or your family in general. This exercise provides a road map of where you have been financially, where you are, and where you want to go. I am often asked how frequently I should partake in this exercise, and my answer…
Interest rates play a pivotal role in the U.S. economy, influencing everything from consumer spending to business investments. These rates determined mainly by the Federal Reserve (“the Fed”), directly affect the cost of borrowing and the returns on savings. For individuals and businesses, understanding how interest rates rise and fall—and the ripple effects these changes…
Since the emergence of Bitcoin in 2009, digital assets have gained popularity at an exponential rate. Digital assets encompass a wide range of electronically created and stored items that hold value, including cryptocurrencies, tokens, and digital collectibles (Smith, 2025). At the core is blockchain technology, which utilizes encryption techniques to ensure the authenticity of digital…
Women entrepreneurs are transforming economies worldwide, driving innovation, and overcoming systemic barriers to success. In 2024, women-owned businesses accounted for 39% of all businesses in the U.S., employing 12.2 million workers and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue1. Despite these achievements, women entrepreneurs continue to face challenges in accessing capital, securing industry representation, and gaining visibility.
According to McKinsey, the great wealth transfer is upon us and American women stand to control approximately $30 trillion by 2030.1 This shift in wealth presents opportunities and challenges for female investors and financial decision-makers, and understanding our biases, emotions, and financial behavior about money will help us manage our wealth and teach the next generation the importance of financial responsibility.
Now is the time to prepare for the potential volatility ahead in 2025 tax planning. With massive tax increases scheduled for year-end, this may be the most consequential year for tax legislation since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). As the TCJA sunsets, increases to marginal tax brackets, decreases to gift and estate…
The nonprofit sector found itself in unprecedented territory on January 27, 2025, when the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo announcing a pause on all federal grants and loans. Many nonprofit organizations rely on federal funding to support their missions, provide lifesaving aid and resources to their communities, and bolster their operations. Though…
According to DeVoe and Company, 2024 saw the highest number of transactions in the RIA space (269), with Q4 recording the most reported deals ever (78) in a single quarter.1 Even Robinhood’s recent acquisition of TradePMR signals the strategic positioning among advisory firms. This massive migration to the independent RIA model, many of whom are transitioning from traditional, full-service models, signals significant advisory trends shaping wealth management solutions’ current and future state.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced significant changes for 2025, reflecting ongoing efforts to adjust the program in response to inflation, wage growth, and evolving economic conditions. These updates include a higher cost-of-living adjustment, revisions to the earnings test thresholds, and increases in maximum benefits. Here’s a comprehensive look at the major updates. Cost-of-Living…
As 2025 approaches, policy shifts under a new Trump administration are taking shape. For investors, understanding the new tax, healthcare, and retirement landscape is crucial to navigating the future. Here are some of the most impactful potential policy changes and how they may influence your financial planning. Tax Reform One primary goal is the continuation…
At year-end, we recommend rebalancing portfolios back to strategic asset allocations and maintaining a diversified, flexible approach to navigate the evolving economic and market environment.
In a world where technology drives our daily lives, it is no surprise that we have increasingly placed more value on our digital identities and belongings, also known as digital assets.
As the year draws to a close, retirees need to remember to take their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandates this annual withdrawal for individuals who have reached a certain age, and failing to take it can result in significant penalties. Required Minimum Distributions are the minimum amounts…
Despite placing six-figure valuations on their digital assets, Americans are largely neglecting these assets during financial planning
As the year closes, it’s a good time to update your beneficiary designations, which is a vital yet often overlooked step in financial planning. Life changes such as marriage, divorce, and the passing of a loved one can leave outdated beneficiary information on accounts. Failing to update these can create confusion, delay, and even prevent…
As we fast approach the end of 2024, tax planning becomes critical. One strategy that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves is tax loss harvesting. While the term might sound technical, the concept is simple, and when applied correctly, it can yield significant benefits. Let’s break down tax loss harvesting, why it matters, and…
For many of us, the end of the year is often a mad dash for charitable giving. Before you write that check this December, take time to reflect on how you will gift, the timing, and who will gift alongside you to make your donation most meaningful. There are many ways to give, including the…
It may be hard to believe, but December 31 will be here soon. Now is a great time to review your finances and implement smart tax planning to reduce your tax bill potentially. Here are seven essential strategies to consider. 1. Tax-Loss Harvesting Tax-loss harvesting involves selling investments that have lost value to offset capital…
Many long-term financial plans involve setting a target for a total amount of savings. Sometimes, this target is framed as multiples of income, and other times as a general round number. These goals are helpful in the accumulation phase of our lives, but it is also financially prudent to estimate what your spending might be…
Staying current on the evolving tax landscape is crucial for effective financial planning. Download our Annual Tax Planning Guide and Year-End Planning Checklist to help keep you informed and on track about current tax and legal regulations.
Since 2003, HSAs have grown in popularity for savings and qualified medical expenses. Contributions are deducted on a pre-tax basis directly from your paycheck, avoiding federal taxes on both the money invested and the growth of the investment.
Long-term care (LTC) refers to a range of services intended to meet the personal and health care needs of individuals over an extended period. These services can be necessary for anyone who has a chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairment, such as dementia. As life expectancy increases and medical advancements continue, more people are likely…
Healthcare expenses are projected to be the highest spending category in retirement, with a report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimating that a 65-year-old couple may need $383,000 in savings to cover their medical costs. It is essential to have a solid plan in place due to the increasing healthcare costs and longer life expectancy.1 …
When the foundation of a structure becomes unstable, everything built on top must adjust or risk collapse. This principle is not only true in construction but also in financial and estate planning. In the United States, financial and estate planning is deeply intertwined with legal and tax codes, which form the foundation for achieving our financial…
As we approach the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, the markets have already shown signs of reacting to the evolving political landscape.
It is often said that the stock market is forward-looking, meaning its growth will depend on how publicly traded companies perform in the future, not the past or present day. More specifically, market returns are driven more by economic trends than election outcomes.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, many of us grapple with heightened anxiety about the potential impact on our financial futures.
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