Estate Planning Strategies in a Higher Interest Rate Environment
September 13, 2022
For most people, an estate plan’s primary goal is to help ensure assets go to the intended beneficiaries in a manner that lessens the burden imposed on their heirs. For many, there is also the goal of reducing taxes. When this is the case, interest rates can play an important role. Therefore, it is important […]
3 Ways You Can Help a Widowed Loved One
July 19, 2022
Many of us know someone who has lost a spouse and are unsure how to act or what to say. There is a delicate balance between wanting to be there for them and giving them space to grieve. The truth is that everyone grieves differently. Here are three tips on what you can do (and […]
Market Pullbacks and Financial Planning
June 7, 2022
With market volatility comes ups and downs. You may pay closer attention to your portfolio when the headlines are flashing red on the screen than prioritizing other aspects of your financial life; it is only natural. Taking a step back to evaluate the bigger picture can be beneficial to your wealth and stress levels. When […]
Plan For Your Death…So Your Loved Ones Don’t Have To
April 26, 2022
Death is topic that no one wants to think about. However, the loss of a spouse can be devastating from both an emotional and financial perspective, especially if the deceased spouse was primarily responsible for managing the couple’s finances. The good news is that doing some planning now will ease the burden your grieving loved […]
Multi-State Property Ownership – Convenience at a Cost?
April 5, 2022
Congratulations! You made the decision to escape the long, dark and cold winter months and relocate to year-round sunshine and warm weather. After consulting with your tax professional, estate attorney, and financial planner, you have committed to spending the necessary time and have taken the steps needed to claim residency and start enjoying a new […]
Finalizing The Insurance & Estate Ties That Bind, Post-Divorce
February 8, 2022
Picture this: your friend, at long last, finalized their divorce and is ready to ride off into the sunset. Time for a cocktail (or mocktail)! You can hardly blame them for their efforts to avoid any significant decision-making after the long process of negotiations, rulings, and compromises they just endured. While many things can be […]
3 Reasons You Need a Business Valuation
February 1, 2022
A full business valuation – many business owners hear those words and cringe. Hours of data and document gathering, coupled with a hefty price tag, only for someone to provide an estimate of their business’ value that they already have a good handle on. Why would anyone do that? What are the benefits? There are […]
Protect Yourself Financially After the Loss of a Spouse
January 18, 2022
Losing a spouse comes with deep emotional grief and an overwhelming amount of complex financial and legal decisions. Many widows are in a state of shock where memory is uncertain, attention span is short, and decision-making seems nearly impossible. Here are three tips on how to protect yourself financially after loss: 1. Don’t rush into […]
Reducing Year-End Taxes on Your Investments
November 24, 2021
Nobody wants additional taxes for the holidays, so throughout the year, we look for ways to minimize them. With year-end approaching, it’s a good time to review a few strategies that can potentially reduce your tax bill. Tax-Loss Harvesting The goal of tax loss harvesting is to stay in the market while capturing the current […]
An Unclaimed Treasure Hunt
August 3, 2021
As of July 1st of 2020, the State of Illinois estimated that they were holding on to more than $3.5 Billion worth of assets at the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, and almost all of it is just waiting for the rightful owner to claim it. A law passed in the 1960s set out rules that […]
Important Considerations for a Widow Thinking About Life Insurance
July 27, 2021
Proceeds from a life insurance policy can provide comfort to a loved one’s survivors from both a financial and emotional standpoint. The funds received from life insurance can help alleviate stress for a family as they mourn their loss. As much as the sudden influx of a large sum of money can be a source […]
Working Wealthy – Prioritize Your Estate Plan
July 20, 2021
Maybe we should start calling estate planning something other than an estate plan. For some, it feels like an imposing name or phrase, an estate plan. When I think of an estate, I think of the English countryside with rolling green manicured lawns and a stately mansion nestled in the middle of all the green. […]