This is the fifth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read...

This is the fourth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part...

This is the third blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk Read part...

This is the second blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety...

This is the first blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk...

Historically, high federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions may make large gifts into trusts seem like a good idea. But it is not as simple as just deciding to make a gift. In fact, there are many considerations that go in to designing an effective trust, and clients often wonder where to start. Below are the building blocks that often go into designing a trust that works...

Are you curious about crypto?  There’s been a tremendous amount of hype about how cryptocurrencies are the “next big thing” in the digital revolution, and how they have the potential to transform not just traditional financial services, but also other industries.  A number of high-profile celebrities have endorsed both cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. There are also...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the potential tax changes coming out of Washington—specifically the For The 99.5% Act, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, and President Biden’s proposals. Uncertainty about tax law has left many people with questions about estate plans and wealth transfers.  I recently sat down with my colleague, Theresa Marx, senior wealth...

The global pandemic has disrupted just about every facet of our lives and exposed many shortcomings in our economic and social systems. By extension, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on ESG investing, as there is now a heightened sense of awareness and urgency to combat climate change and social inequality. Despite the challenges, however, there are also significant opportunities...

  Once you’ve established the right asset allocation mix for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment needs and goals, the next step is implementation—choosing your investments. When selecting investments for your portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll make as an investor is deciding between active vs. passive investment strategies. Understanding the potential advantages...

On April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden laid out some of his tax policy proposals in connection with his American Families Plan. While it appears that his previously announced American Jobs Plan would be paid for primarily with corporate taxes, his American Families Plan looks to individual taxes as a source of funding. Many of the proposed changes were part of his campaign platform and likely...

This is the third blog in a three-part series that focuses on fiduciary considerations for grantors, beneficiaries and trustees of trusts. Read Part 1: Three topics to understand as you start your trust planning Read Part 2: Four considerations for choosing the best trustee for you and your family A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care...

The role of a trustee—holding title to property for the benefit of another—sounds simple enough on its surface, but selecting a trustee is a complex decision with many nuances. Individuals who create trusts often focus on the trust provisions regarding disposition of the trust assets and their intent on timing and amount of assets to go to beneficiaries, but it is also really important to focus...

With the election over and the congressional makeup decided, we are all hoping to start gaining some clarity on what to expect on the tax policy landscape. In fact, we are beginning to see some action, as campaign promises become bills. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as we wait and watch the legislative process unfold. For those considering wealth transfer, the most...

There are many variations of George Santayana’s statement, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”[1]  A notable version came from novelist Kurt Vonnegut who wrote, “I’ve got news for Mr. Santayana: We’re doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That’s what it is to be alive.”[2] When irrational exuberance seizes investors and the valuations of some assets rise...

This is the fifth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read...

This is the fourth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part...

This is the third blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk Read part...

This is the second blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety...

This is the first blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk...

Historically, high federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions may make large gifts into trusts seem like a good idea. But it is not as simple as just deciding to make a gift. In fact, there are many considerations that go in to designing an effective trust, and clients often wonder where to start. Below are the building blocks that often go into designing a trust that works...

Are you curious about crypto?  There’s been a tremendous amount of hype about how cryptocurrencies are the “next big thing” in the digital revolution, and how they have the potential to transform not just traditional financial services, but also other industries.  A number of high-profile celebrities have endorsed both cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. There are also...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the potential tax changes coming out of Washington—specifically the For The 99.5% Act, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, and President Biden’s proposals. Uncertainty about tax law has left many people with questions about estate plans and wealth transfers.  I recently sat down with my colleague, Theresa Marx, senior wealth...

The global pandemic has disrupted just about every facet of our lives and exposed many shortcomings in our economic and social systems. By extension, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on ESG investing, as there is now a heightened sense of awareness and urgency to combat climate change and social inequality. Despite the challenges, however, there are also significant opportunities...

  Once you’ve established the right asset allocation mix for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment needs and goals, the next step is implementation—choosing your investments. When selecting investments for your portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll make as an investor is deciding between active vs. passive investment strategies. Understanding the potential advantages...

On April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden laid out some of his tax policy proposals in connection with his American Families Plan. While it appears that his previously announced American Jobs Plan would be paid for primarily with corporate taxes, his American Families Plan looks to individual taxes as a source of funding. Many of the proposed changes were part of his campaign platform and likely...

This is the third blog in a three-part series that focuses on fiduciary considerations for grantors, beneficiaries and trustees of trusts. Read Part 1: Three topics to understand as you start your trust planning Read Part 2: Four considerations for choosing the best trustee for you and your family A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care...

The role of a trustee—holding title to property for the benefit of another—sounds simple enough on its surface, but selecting a trustee is a complex decision with many nuances. Individuals who create trusts often focus on the trust provisions regarding disposition of the trust assets and their intent on timing and amount of assets to go to beneficiaries, but it is also really important to focus...

With the election over and the congressional makeup decided, we are all hoping to start gaining some clarity on what to expect on the tax policy landscape. In fact, we are beginning to see some action, as campaign promises become bills. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as we wait and watch the legislative process unfold. For those considering wealth transfer, the most...

There are many variations of George Santayana’s statement, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”[1]  A notable version came from novelist Kurt Vonnegut who wrote, “I’ve got news for Mr. Santayana: We’re doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That’s what it is to be alive.”[2] When irrational exuberance seizes investors and the valuations of some assets rise...

This is the fifth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read...

This is the fourth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part...

This is the third blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk Read part...

This is the second blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety...

This is the first blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk...

Historically, high federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions may make large gifts into trusts seem like a good idea. But it is not as simple as just deciding to make a gift. In fact, there are many considerations that go in to designing an effective trust, and clients often wonder where to start. Below are the building blocks that often go into designing a trust that works...

Are you curious about crypto?  There’s been a tremendous amount of hype about how cryptocurrencies are the “next big thing” in the digital revolution, and how they have the potential to transform not just traditional financial services, but also other industries.  A number of high-profile celebrities have endorsed both cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. There are also...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the potential tax changes coming out of Washington—specifically the For The 99.5% Act, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, and President Biden’s proposals. Uncertainty about tax law has left many people with questions about estate plans and wealth transfers.  I recently sat down with my colleague, Theresa Marx, senior wealth...

The global pandemic has disrupted just about every facet of our lives and exposed many shortcomings in our economic and social systems. By extension, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on ESG investing, as there is now a heightened sense of awareness and urgency to combat climate change and social inequality. Despite the challenges, however, there are also significant opportunities...

  Once you’ve established the right asset allocation mix for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment needs and goals, the next step is implementation—choosing your investments. When selecting investments for your portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll make as an investor is deciding between active vs. passive investment strategies. Understanding the potential advantages...

On April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden laid out some of his tax policy proposals in connection with his American Families Plan. While it appears that his previously announced American Jobs Plan would be paid for primarily with corporate taxes, his American Families Plan looks to individual taxes as a source of funding. Many of the proposed changes were part of his campaign platform and likely...

This is the third blog in a three-part series that focuses on fiduciary considerations for grantors, beneficiaries and trustees of trusts. Read Part 1: Three topics to understand as you start your trust planning Read Part 2: Four considerations for choosing the best trustee for you and your family A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care...

The role of a trustee—holding title to property for the benefit of another—sounds simple enough on its surface, but selecting a trustee is a complex decision with many nuances. Individuals who create trusts often focus on the trust provisions regarding disposition of the trust assets and their intent on timing and amount of assets to go to beneficiaries, but it is also really important to focus...

With the election over and the congressional makeup decided, we are all hoping to start gaining some clarity on what to expect on the tax policy landscape. In fact, we are beginning to see some action, as campaign promises become bills. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as we wait and watch the legislative process unfold. For those considering wealth transfer, the most...

There are many variations of George Santayana’s statement, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”[1]  A notable version came from novelist Kurt Vonnegut who wrote, “I’ve got news for Mr. Santayana: We’re doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That’s what it is to be alive.”[2] When irrational exuberance seizes investors and the valuations of some assets rise...

This is the fifth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read...

This is the fourth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part...

This is the third blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk Read part...

This is the second blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety...

This is the first blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk...

Historically, high federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions may make large gifts into trusts seem like a good idea. But it is not as simple as just deciding to make a gift. In fact, there are many considerations that go in to designing an effective trust, and clients often wonder where to start. Below are the building blocks that often go into designing a trust that works...

Are you curious about crypto?  There’s been a tremendous amount of hype about how cryptocurrencies are the “next big thing” in the digital revolution, and how they have the potential to transform not just traditional financial services, but also other industries.  A number of high-profile celebrities have endorsed both cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. There are also...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the potential tax changes coming out of Washington—specifically the For The 99.5% Act, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, and President Biden’s proposals. Uncertainty about tax law has left many people with questions about estate plans and wealth transfers.  I recently sat down with my colleague, Theresa Marx, senior wealth...

The global pandemic has disrupted just about every facet of our lives and exposed many shortcomings in our economic and social systems. By extension, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on ESG investing, as there is now a heightened sense of awareness and urgency to combat climate change and social inequality. Despite the challenges, however, there are also significant opportunities...

  Once you’ve established the right asset allocation mix for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment needs and goals, the next step is implementation—choosing your investments. When selecting investments for your portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll make as an investor is deciding between active vs. passive investment strategies. Understanding the potential advantages...

On April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden laid out some of his tax policy proposals in connection with his American Families Plan. While it appears that his previously announced American Jobs Plan would be paid for primarily with corporate taxes, his American Families Plan looks to individual taxes as a source of funding. Many of the proposed changes were part of his campaign platform and likely...

This is the third blog in a three-part series that focuses on fiduciary considerations for grantors, beneficiaries and trustees of trusts. Read Part 1: Three topics to understand as you start your trust planning Read Part 2: Four considerations for choosing the best trustee for you and your family A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care...

The role of a trustee—holding title to property for the benefit of another—sounds simple enough on its surface, but selecting a trustee is a complex decision with many nuances. Individuals who create trusts often focus on the trust provisions regarding disposition of the trust assets and their intent on timing and amount of assets to go to beneficiaries, but it is also really important to focus...

With the election over and the congressional makeup decided, we are all hoping to start gaining some clarity on what to expect on the tax policy landscape. In fact, we are beginning to see some action, as campaign promises become bills. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as we wait and watch the legislative process unfold. For those considering wealth transfer, the most...

There are many variations of George Santayana’s statement, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”[1]  A notable version came from novelist Kurt Vonnegut who wrote, “I’ve got news for Mr. Santayana: We’re doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That’s what it is to be alive.”[2] When irrational exuberance seizes investors and the valuations of some assets rise...

This is the fifth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read...

This is the fourth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part...

This is the third blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk Read part...

This is the second blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety...

This is the first blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk...

Historically, high federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions may make large gifts into trusts seem like a good idea. But it is not as simple as just deciding to make a gift. In fact, there are many considerations that go in to designing an effective trust, and clients often wonder where to start. Below are the building blocks that often go into designing a trust that works...

Are you curious about crypto?  There’s been a tremendous amount of hype about how cryptocurrencies are the “next big thing” in the digital revolution, and how they have the potential to transform not just traditional financial services, but also other industries.  A number of high-profile celebrities have endorsed both cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. There are also...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the potential tax changes coming out of Washington—specifically the For The 99.5% Act, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, and President Biden’s proposals. Uncertainty about tax law has left many people with questions about estate plans and wealth transfers.  I recently sat down with my colleague, Theresa Marx, senior wealth...

The global pandemic has disrupted just about every facet of our lives and exposed many shortcomings in our economic and social systems. By extension, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on ESG investing, as there is now a heightened sense of awareness and urgency to combat climate change and social inequality. Despite the challenges, however, there are also significant opportunities...

  Once you’ve established the right asset allocation mix for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment needs and goals, the next step is implementation—choosing your investments. When selecting investments for your portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll make as an investor is deciding between active vs. passive investment strategies. Understanding the potential advantages...

On April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden laid out some of his tax policy proposals in connection with his American Families Plan. While it appears that his previously announced American Jobs Plan would be paid for primarily with corporate taxes, his American Families Plan looks to individual taxes as a source of funding. Many of the proposed changes were part of his campaign platform and likely...

This is the third blog in a three-part series that focuses on fiduciary considerations for grantors, beneficiaries and trustees of trusts. Read Part 1: Three topics to understand as you start your trust planning Read Part 2: Four considerations for choosing the best trustee for you and your family A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care...

The role of a trustee—holding title to property for the benefit of another—sounds simple enough on its surface, but selecting a trustee is a complex decision with many nuances. Individuals who create trusts often focus on the trust provisions regarding disposition of the trust assets and their intent on timing and amount of assets to go to beneficiaries, but it is also really important to focus...

With the election over and the congressional makeup decided, we are all hoping to start gaining some clarity on what to expect on the tax policy landscape. In fact, we are beginning to see some action, as campaign promises become bills. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as we wait and watch the legislative process unfold. For those considering wealth transfer, the most...

There are many variations of George Santayana’s statement, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”[1]  A notable version came from novelist Kurt Vonnegut who wrote, “I’ve got news for Mr. Santayana: We’re doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That’s what it is to be alive.”[2] When irrational exuberance seizes investors and the valuations of some assets rise...

This is the fifth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read...

This is the fourth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part...

This is the third blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk Read part...

This is the second blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety...

This is the first blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk...

Historically, high federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions may make large gifts into trusts seem like a good idea. But it is not as simple as just deciding to make a gift. In fact, there are many considerations that go in to designing an effective trust, and clients often wonder where to start. Below are the building blocks that often go into designing a trust that works...

Are you curious about crypto?  There’s been a tremendous amount of hype about how cryptocurrencies are the “next big thing” in the digital revolution, and how they have the potential to transform not just traditional financial services, but also other industries.  A number of high-profile celebrities have endorsed both cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. There are also...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the potential tax changes coming out of Washington—specifically the For The 99.5% Act, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, and President Biden’s proposals. Uncertainty about tax law has left many people with questions about estate plans and wealth transfers.  I recently sat down with my colleague, Theresa Marx, senior wealth...

The global pandemic has disrupted just about every facet of our lives and exposed many shortcomings in our economic and social systems. By extension, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on ESG investing, as there is now a heightened sense of awareness and urgency to combat climate change and social inequality. Despite the challenges, however, there are also significant opportunities...

  Once you’ve established the right asset allocation mix for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment needs and goals, the next step is implementation—choosing your investments. When selecting investments for your portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll make as an investor is deciding between active vs. passive investment strategies. Understanding the potential advantages...

On April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden laid out some of his tax policy proposals in connection with his American Families Plan. While it appears that his previously announced American Jobs Plan would be paid for primarily with corporate taxes, his American Families Plan looks to individual taxes as a source of funding. Many of the proposed changes were part of his campaign platform and likely...

This is the third blog in a three-part series that focuses on fiduciary considerations for grantors, beneficiaries and trustees of trusts. Read Part 1: Three topics to understand as you start your trust planning Read Part 2: Four considerations for choosing the best trustee for you and your family A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care...

The role of a trustee—holding title to property for the benefit of another—sounds simple enough on its surface, but selecting a trustee is a complex decision with many nuances. Individuals who create trusts often focus on the trust provisions regarding disposition of the trust assets and their intent on timing and amount of assets to go to beneficiaries, but it is also really important to focus...

With the election over and the congressional makeup decided, we are all hoping to start gaining some clarity on what to expect on the tax policy landscape. In fact, we are beginning to see some action, as campaign promises become bills. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as we wait and watch the legislative process unfold. For those considering wealth transfer, the most...

There are many variations of George Santayana’s statement, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”[1]  A notable version came from novelist Kurt Vonnegut who wrote, “I’ve got news for Mr. Santayana: We’re doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That’s what it is to be alive.”[2] When irrational exuberance seizes investors and the valuations of some assets rise...

This is the fifth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read...

This is the fourth blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part...

This is the third blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk Read part...

This is the second blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 1: Protecting your wealth: asset protection Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety...

This is the first blog in a five-part series that focuses on preserving wealth for yourself and future generations through sound investment management and thoughtful wealth protection strategies. Read part 2: Protecting who you are: reputation risk Read part 3: Protecting what you have built: household, liability and online risk Read part 4: Protecting those you love: personal safety risk...

Historically, high federal gift and generation-skipping transfer tax exemptions may make large gifts into trusts seem like a good idea. But it is not as simple as just deciding to make a gift. In fact, there are many considerations that go in to designing an effective trust, and clients often wonder where to start. Below are the building blocks that often go into designing a trust that works...

Are you curious about crypto?  There’s been a tremendous amount of hype about how cryptocurrencies are the “next big thing” in the digital revolution, and how they have the potential to transform not just traditional financial services, but also other industries.  A number of high-profile celebrities have endorsed both cryptocurrencies and crypto companies. There are also...

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the potential tax changes coming out of Washington—specifically the For The 99.5% Act, the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, and President Biden’s proposals. Uncertainty about tax law has left many people with questions about estate plans and wealth transfers.  I recently sat down with my colleague, Theresa Marx, senior wealth...

The global pandemic has disrupted just about every facet of our lives and exposed many shortcomings in our economic and social systems. By extension, the pandemic has also had a profound impact on ESG investing, as there is now a heightened sense of awareness and urgency to combat climate change and social inequality. Despite the challenges, however, there are also significant opportunities...

  Once you’ve established the right asset allocation mix for your risk tolerance, time horizon, and investment needs and goals, the next step is implementation—choosing your investments. When selecting investments for your portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll make as an investor is deciding between active vs. passive investment strategies. Understanding the potential advantages...

On April 28, 2021, President Joe Biden laid out some of his tax policy proposals in connection with his American Families Plan. While it appears that his previously announced American Jobs Plan would be paid for primarily with corporate taxes, his American Families Plan looks to individual taxes as a source of funding. Many of the proposed changes were part of his campaign platform and likely...

This is the third blog in a three-part series that focuses on fiduciary considerations for grantors, beneficiaries and trustees of trusts. Read Part 1: Three topics to understand as you start your trust planning Read Part 2: Four considerations for choosing the best trustee for you and your family A trust is an arrangement whereby one person (the grantor) places property in the care...

The role of a trustee—holding title to property for the benefit of another—sounds simple enough on its surface, but selecting a trustee is a complex decision with many nuances. Individuals who create trusts often focus on the trust provisions regarding disposition of the trust assets and their intent on timing and amount of assets to go to beneficiaries, but it is also really important to focus...

With the election over and the congressional makeup decided, we are all hoping to start gaining some clarity on what to expect on the tax policy landscape. In fact, we are beginning to see some action, as campaign promises become bills. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as we wait and watch the legislative process unfold. For those considering wealth transfer, the most...

There are many variations of George Santayana’s statement, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”[1]  A notable version came from novelist Kurt Vonnegut who wrote, “I’ve got news for Mr. Santayana: We’re doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That’s what it is to be alive.”[2] When irrational exuberance seizes investors and the valuations of some assets rise...