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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

  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...

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...

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...

  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...