Historically, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has been viewed more as a “luxury” for those who can afford to consider outcomes other than maximizing returns. Opponents or naysayers of ESG suggested the methodology focused on a company’s values, rather than a company’s value. As a result, investors would pay a price for prioritizing social and environmental factors. However,...

Philanthropy is powerful. Think of the neighborhood association scholarship that made college more affordable for a graduating high school senior or the handyman ministry that keeps your elderly neighbor in her home. All of these make your community a vibrant place to live, and they are made possible by generous donations.  Often, charitable gifts benefit the world beyond our communities....

Estate planning for business owners is always important, and the number of liquidity events—such as business sales or infusions of capital—and potential tax changes in the near future, have only amplified the value of proactive planning. It is an essential undertaking for many business owners who want to ensure the continued success of their business and their family’s income and legacy....

Over the last several weeks, there has been a flurry of activity regarding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how to pay for it. The House Ways and Means Committee released its initial proposal for the Build Back Better Act on September 13, 2021, including several changes to current income tax and transfer tax rules. Since that release, members of Congress and the White House have...

This is the second blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency. Read part 1: Choosing your state of residency: moving to a new state Three important topics to know about property ownership of spouses When married people own property, their state’s laws dictate how that property may be divided in the event of divorce or distributed at death. Broadly...

The past few years have been quite busy in the financial and wealth planning world. With the federal transfer tax exemptions currently at $11.7 million1, many clients have considered making gifts for future generations utilizing a variety of structures. The primary focus is on trusts and the options available in that arena. Trusts can be extremely effective estate planning vehicles that can...

This is the first blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency Read part 2: Choosing your state of residency: understanding community property and separate property Three considerations for establishing your new domicile There are many factors that prompt people to move to a different state—for example, a more temperate climate or a desire to be...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form, and there are likely to be changes as the House of Representatives and Senate negotiate its terms. However, there is a provision in the current draft that could create inclusion of some or all of...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form and there is likely to be much negotiation in the House of Representatives and Senate before anything can be finalized. However, it is important to understand the proposals so any necessary...

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...

Historically, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has been viewed more as a “luxury” for those who can afford to consider outcomes other than maximizing returns. Opponents or naysayers of ESG suggested the methodology focused on a company’s values, rather than a company’s value. As a result, investors would pay a price for prioritizing social and environmental factors. However,...

Philanthropy is powerful. Think of the neighborhood association scholarship that made college more affordable for a graduating high school senior or the handyman ministry that keeps your elderly neighbor in her home. All of these make your community a vibrant place to live, and they are made possible by generous donations.  Often, charitable gifts benefit the world beyond our communities....

Estate planning for business owners is always important, and the number of liquidity events—such as business sales or infusions of capital—and potential tax changes in the near future, have only amplified the value of proactive planning. It is an essential undertaking for many business owners who want to ensure the continued success of their business and their family’s income and legacy....

Over the last several weeks, there has been a flurry of activity regarding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how to pay for it. The House Ways and Means Committee released its initial proposal for the Build Back Better Act on September 13, 2021, including several changes to current income tax and transfer tax rules. Since that release, members of Congress and the White House have...

This is the second blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency. Read part 1: Choosing your state of residency: moving to a new state Three important topics to know about property ownership of spouses When married people own property, their state’s laws dictate how that property may be divided in the event of divorce or distributed at death. Broadly...

The past few years have been quite busy in the financial and wealth planning world. With the federal transfer tax exemptions currently at $11.7 million1, many clients have considered making gifts for future generations utilizing a variety of structures. The primary focus is on trusts and the options available in that arena. Trusts can be extremely effective estate planning vehicles that can...

This is the first blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency Read part 2: Choosing your state of residency: understanding community property and separate property Three considerations for establishing your new domicile There are many factors that prompt people to move to a different state—for example, a more temperate climate or a desire to be...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form, and there are likely to be changes as the House of Representatives and Senate negotiate its terms. However, there is a provision in the current draft that could create inclusion of some or all of...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form and there is likely to be much negotiation in the House of Representatives and Senate before anything can be finalized. However, it is important to understand the proposals so any necessary...

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...

Historically, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has been viewed more as a “luxury” for those who can afford to consider outcomes other than maximizing returns. Opponents or naysayers of ESG suggested the methodology focused on a company’s values, rather than a company’s value. As a result, investors would pay a price for prioritizing social and environmental factors. However,...

Philanthropy is powerful. Think of the neighborhood association scholarship that made college more affordable for a graduating high school senior or the handyman ministry that keeps your elderly neighbor in her home. All of these make your community a vibrant place to live, and they are made possible by generous donations.  Often, charitable gifts benefit the world beyond our communities....

Estate planning for business owners is always important, and the number of liquidity events—such as business sales or infusions of capital—and potential tax changes in the near future, have only amplified the value of proactive planning. It is an essential undertaking for many business owners who want to ensure the continued success of their business and their family’s income and legacy....

Over the last several weeks, there has been a flurry of activity regarding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how to pay for it. The House Ways and Means Committee released its initial proposal for the Build Back Better Act on September 13, 2021, including several changes to current income tax and transfer tax rules. Since that release, members of Congress and the White House have...

This is the second blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency. Read part 1: Choosing your state of residency: moving to a new state Three important topics to know about property ownership of spouses When married people own property, their state’s laws dictate how that property may be divided in the event of divorce or distributed at death. Broadly...

The past few years have been quite busy in the financial and wealth planning world. With the federal transfer tax exemptions currently at $11.7 million1, many clients have considered making gifts for future generations utilizing a variety of structures. The primary focus is on trusts and the options available in that arena. Trusts can be extremely effective estate planning vehicles that can...

This is the first blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency Read part 2: Choosing your state of residency: understanding community property and separate property Three considerations for establishing your new domicile There are many factors that prompt people to move to a different state—for example, a more temperate climate or a desire to be...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form, and there are likely to be changes as the House of Representatives and Senate negotiate its terms. However, there is a provision in the current draft that could create inclusion of some or all of...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form and there is likely to be much negotiation in the House of Representatives and Senate before anything can be finalized. However, it is important to understand the proposals so any necessary...

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...

Historically, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has been viewed more as a “luxury” for those who can afford to consider outcomes other than maximizing returns. Opponents or naysayers of ESG suggested the methodology focused on a company’s values, rather than a company’s value. As a result, investors would pay a price for prioritizing social and environmental factors. However,...

Philanthropy is powerful. Think of the neighborhood association scholarship that made college more affordable for a graduating high school senior or the handyman ministry that keeps your elderly neighbor in her home. All of these make your community a vibrant place to live, and they are made possible by generous donations.  Often, charitable gifts benefit the world beyond our communities....

Estate planning for business owners is always important, and the number of liquidity events—such as business sales or infusions of capital—and potential tax changes in the near future, have only amplified the value of proactive planning. It is an essential undertaking for many business owners who want to ensure the continued success of their business and their family’s income and legacy....

Over the last several weeks, there has been a flurry of activity regarding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how to pay for it. The House Ways and Means Committee released its initial proposal for the Build Back Better Act on September 13, 2021, including several changes to current income tax and transfer tax rules. Since that release, members of Congress and the White House have...

This is the second blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency. Read part 1: Choosing your state of residency: moving to a new state Three important topics to know about property ownership of spouses When married people own property, their state’s laws dictate how that property may be divided in the event of divorce or distributed at death. Broadly...

The past few years have been quite busy in the financial and wealth planning world. With the federal transfer tax exemptions currently at $11.7 million1, many clients have considered making gifts for future generations utilizing a variety of structures. The primary focus is on trusts and the options available in that arena. Trusts can be extremely effective estate planning vehicles that can...

This is the first blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency Read part 2: Choosing your state of residency: understanding community property and separate property Three considerations for establishing your new domicile There are many factors that prompt people to move to a different state—for example, a more temperate climate or a desire to be...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form, and there are likely to be changes as the House of Representatives and Senate negotiate its terms. However, there is a provision in the current draft that could create inclusion of some or all of...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form and there is likely to be much negotiation in the House of Representatives and Senate before anything can be finalized. However, it is important to understand the proposals so any necessary...

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...

Historically, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has been viewed more as a “luxury” for those who can afford to consider outcomes other than maximizing returns. Opponents or naysayers of ESG suggested the methodology focused on a company’s values, rather than a company’s value. As a result, investors would pay a price for prioritizing social and environmental factors. However,...

Philanthropy is powerful. Think of the neighborhood association scholarship that made college more affordable for a graduating high school senior or the handyman ministry that keeps your elderly neighbor in her home. All of these make your community a vibrant place to live, and they are made possible by generous donations.  Often, charitable gifts benefit the world beyond our communities....

Estate planning for business owners is always important, and the number of liquidity events—such as business sales or infusions of capital—and potential tax changes in the near future, have only amplified the value of proactive planning. It is an essential undertaking for many business owners who want to ensure the continued success of their business and their family’s income and legacy....

Over the last several weeks, there has been a flurry of activity regarding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how to pay for it. The House Ways and Means Committee released its initial proposal for the Build Back Better Act on September 13, 2021, including several changes to current income tax and transfer tax rules. Since that release, members of Congress and the White House have...

This is the second blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency. Read part 1: Choosing your state of residency: moving to a new state Three important topics to know about property ownership of spouses When married people own property, their state’s laws dictate how that property may be divided in the event of divorce or distributed at death. Broadly...

The past few years have been quite busy in the financial and wealth planning world. With the federal transfer tax exemptions currently at $11.7 million1, many clients have considered making gifts for future generations utilizing a variety of structures. The primary focus is on trusts and the options available in that arena. Trusts can be extremely effective estate planning vehicles that can...

This is the first blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency Read part 2: Choosing your state of residency: understanding community property and separate property Three considerations for establishing your new domicile There are many factors that prompt people to move to a different state—for example, a more temperate climate or a desire to be...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form, and there are likely to be changes as the House of Representatives and Senate negotiate its terms. However, there is a provision in the current draft that could create inclusion of some or all of...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form and there is likely to be much negotiation in the House of Representatives and Senate before anything can be finalized. However, it is important to understand the proposals so any necessary...

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...

Historically, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has been viewed more as a “luxury” for those who can afford to consider outcomes other than maximizing returns. Opponents or naysayers of ESG suggested the methodology focused on a company’s values, rather than a company’s value. As a result, investors would pay a price for prioritizing social and environmental factors. However,...

Philanthropy is powerful. Think of the neighborhood association scholarship that made college more affordable for a graduating high school senior or the handyman ministry that keeps your elderly neighbor in her home. All of these make your community a vibrant place to live, and they are made possible by generous donations.  Often, charitable gifts benefit the world beyond our communities....

Estate planning for business owners is always important, and the number of liquidity events—such as business sales or infusions of capital—and potential tax changes in the near future, have only amplified the value of proactive planning. It is an essential undertaking for many business owners who want to ensure the continued success of their business and their family’s income and legacy....

Over the last several weeks, there has been a flurry of activity regarding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how to pay for it. The House Ways and Means Committee released its initial proposal for the Build Back Better Act on September 13, 2021, including several changes to current income tax and transfer tax rules. Since that release, members of Congress and the White House have...

This is the second blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency. Read part 1: Choosing your state of residency: moving to a new state Three important topics to know about property ownership of spouses When married people own property, their state’s laws dictate how that property may be divided in the event of divorce or distributed at death. Broadly...

The past few years have been quite busy in the financial and wealth planning world. With the federal transfer tax exemptions currently at $11.7 million1, many clients have considered making gifts for future generations utilizing a variety of structures. The primary focus is on trusts and the options available in that arena. Trusts can be extremely effective estate planning vehicles that can...

This is the first blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency Read part 2: Choosing your state of residency: understanding community property and separate property Three considerations for establishing your new domicile There are many factors that prompt people to move to a different state—for example, a more temperate climate or a desire to be...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form, and there are likely to be changes as the House of Representatives and Senate negotiate its terms. However, there is a provision in the current draft that could create inclusion of some or all of...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form and there is likely to be much negotiation in the House of Representatives and Senate before anything can be finalized. However, it is important to understand the proposals so any necessary...

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...

Historically, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing has been viewed more as a “luxury” for those who can afford to consider outcomes other than maximizing returns. Opponents or naysayers of ESG suggested the methodology focused on a company’s values, rather than a company’s value. As a result, investors would pay a price for prioritizing social and environmental factors. However,...

Philanthropy is powerful. Think of the neighborhood association scholarship that made college more affordable for a graduating high school senior or the handyman ministry that keeps your elderly neighbor in her home. All of these make your community a vibrant place to live, and they are made possible by generous donations.  Often, charitable gifts benefit the world beyond our communities....

Estate planning for business owners is always important, and the number of liquidity events—such as business sales or infusions of capital—and potential tax changes in the near future, have only amplified the value of proactive planning. It is an essential undertaking for many business owners who want to ensure the continued success of their business and their family’s income and legacy....

Over the last several weeks, there has been a flurry of activity regarding President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda and how to pay for it. The House Ways and Means Committee released its initial proposal for the Build Back Better Act on September 13, 2021, including several changes to current income tax and transfer tax rules. Since that release, members of Congress and the White House have...

This is the second blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency. Read part 1: Choosing your state of residency: moving to a new state Three important topics to know about property ownership of spouses When married people own property, their state’s laws dictate how that property may be divided in the event of divorce or distributed at death. Broadly...

The past few years have been quite busy in the financial and wealth planning world. With the federal transfer tax exemptions currently at $11.7 million1, many clients have considered making gifts for future generations utilizing a variety of structures. The primary focus is on trusts and the options available in that arena. Trusts can be extremely effective estate planning vehicles that can...

This is the first blog in a two-part series that focuses on the impact of choosing your state of residency Read part 2: Choosing your state of residency: understanding community property and separate property Three considerations for establishing your new domicile There are many factors that prompt people to move to a different state—for example, a more temperate climate or a desire to be...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form, and there are likely to be changes as the House of Representatives and Senate negotiate its terms. However, there is a provision in the current draft that could create inclusion of some or all of...

On September 13, 2021, the House Ways and Means Committee introduced their proposals for tax legislation to help pay for the Build Back Better Act. These provisions are still in their preliminary form and there is likely to be much negotiation in the House of Representatives and Senate before anything can be finalized. However, it is important to understand the proposals so any necessary...

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...