The end of the year is often a celebration of family, tradition and the fruits of our labor over the last year. For many, it is also the time for another kind of custom—the annual bonus. A bonus can be a welcome windfall and a well-deserved reward, but also something that can be spent in countless different ways. The possibilities are certainly tempting, but remember that you don’t have...

  It is my pleasure to announce that Judith Saxe, managing director and senior wealth strategist for our Boston office, has been named to the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC) board of directors.     This appointment follows her 10-year tenure as a director of the Boston Estate Planning Council—one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious...

For many, an important component of living the American dream is owning a home. Home ownership is, of course, also one of the foundations for building wealth, a milestone that is frequently preceded by the process of obtaining a mortgage.

  Atlantic Trust was well represented at the 50th Annual Heckerling Institute for Estate Planning in sunny Orlando, Florida. This year’s event took place January 11–15 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center.     Atlantic Trust professionals were once again pleased to welcome intermediary and strategic partners to the conference with a private dinner...

  Atlantic Trust was pleased to sponsor the 2016 Nexus USA Youth Summit last week at the White House, where an impressive group of adults in their 20s and 30s converged to discuss critical political, socioeconomic and human rights issues facing our country today.     The three-day event guided participants through a variety of panel discussions, workshops and social...

  Gifting assets outright is often an attractive strategy because of the simplicity, efficiency and relatively low risk involved. However, there may be times when it is more advantageous to make a gift to a younger family member in trust rather than outright. These advantages may include asset protection, tax planning and family control.     Before we get into the mechanics...

  Having a good credit score can go a long way toward helping you achieve your long-term goals. Similar to how your resume and references say a lot about you as a potential employee, your credit score can open—and close—certain doors financially.     When you purchase something on credit, you are being trusted to fully make good on the cost of the goods and/or services at...

  After a challenging 2015, we expect the investment landscape for 2016 will be defined by a new course for monetary policy and political leadership, a new primary catalyst for stocks, and an altered roadmap for credit markets and for energy. In our 2016 outlook, our Asset Allocation Team discusses five key themes that we believe will be critical talking points when considering the...

  [As the new year approaches, Atlantic Trust is counting down the top blog posts of 2015. The post below was originally published on June 10, 2015.]     Did you know that disagreements around finances can raise your risk of divorce? It’s not unsurprising when you think about it — and you may even have personal experience with this fact if you’ve seen...

  [As the new year approaches, Atlantic Trust is counting down the top blog posts of 2015. The post below was originally published on Nov. 11, 2015.]     Year-end tax planning should be a part of everyone’s annual financial routine, especially in light of the new rules and regulations governing various tax and estate planning strategies. With the new year fast...

  [As the new year approaches, Atlantic Trust is counting down the top blog posts of 2015. The post below was originally published on May 13, 2015.]     For many couples, getting married is an exciting time filled with reflection, anticipation and hope. More than the union itself, marriage is an opportunity for two people to experience all the things that life...

[As the new year approaches, Atlantic Trust is counting down the top blog posts of 2015. The post below was originally published on May 27, 2015.]   If you’re like many of us in our 20s, 30s and 40s, you haven’t taken the decision to start a family lightly. Choosing whether or not you want to have children (and then, you know, actually making it happen) is one of the biggest,...

  [As the new year approaches, Atlantic Trust is counting down the top blog posts of 2015. The post below was originally published on Sept. 30, 2015.]     Most people recognize that an estate plan is about providing for those they love and doing so in a positive and empowering way. “I want to take care of the generations following me,” for instance, is a common...

  [As the new year approaches, Atlantic Trust is counting down the top blog posts of 2015. The post below was originally published on Oct. 14, 2015.]     Being in your 20s and 30s means experiencing many life milestones—and watching your peers go through the same. With all the exciting, new and different things happening to you and your friends, it’s easy...

  Holiday traditions usually reflect family values systems, including traditions around food, culture and giving. We spend time around the holiday table together, exchange gifts and reminisce about those no longer with us while also reflecting on what really matters in our lives and what family means to us.     During this celebratory family time, we have the potential to...