It’s a simple question—but for most people, it’s surprisingly hard to answer with confidence. The reality is this: assets are not automatically protected. Without intentional planning, what you’ve worked so hard to build could be exposed to unnecessary risk. The good news? Many of the most common gaps are fixable—once you know where to look.…
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A while back, Money Magazine asked several successful people a simple question: What’s the smartest financial advice you’ve ever received? One response stood out. Richard Branson, billionaire founder of the Virgin Group, admitted that early in his career he simply didn’t know much about finance—and the best thing he learned was to stay humble about…
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A fellow advisor once shared a story that has always stuck with me. He tried to help his grandmother with her financial and life planning, but she refused. “She insisted that John—her advisor and friend for decades—was doing just fine,” he said. “Besides, she couldn’t imagine taking business away from someone she trusted for so…
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I love starting my day with a little time in the Word, and recently I was listening to a sermon that hit me right between the eyes. The pastor asked a simple but powerful question: Where are you getting your advice? It made me pause. Every day, we let different voices shape our thoughts and…
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Eeek… Just hearing the words “family meeting” can make you cringe, right? Most of us don’t have great memories of them. They’re usually called in response to conflict—especially when kids are involved—or to address topics no one really wants to talk about. And once the kids move out, these meetings seem to disappear altogether. But…
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You may want to think again! It’s common for a parent, or parents, to start gifting assets to their children as they get older. The problem is that they don’t seek advice and if they do, it’s typically from the wrong people. Unfortunately, the result can be very costly to the family. It could rock…
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If you are paralyzed (in this regard), there is good news. You are not alone! 68% of Americans do not have a valid Will. 63% of those making more than $80,000 per year say that “procrastination” is the reason they have not done any estate planning. Yet 52% of Americans over 55 say it would…
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Kids these days! How many times have you heard…or even said this? Parents these days! Yes, your children will be saying this someday, if they aren’t already. There is an ongoing disconnect between generations and the way they think about a lot of things, including money. This is evident in any family, so the good…
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Be forewarned. I am going to be candid here: Whatever excuse you just gave? It is just that—an excuse. First, it’s important to recognize that we all have dysfunctional families to some degree. Maybe you are facing substance or alcohol abuse, your kids are not getting along or there are others that don’t understand the…
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Preparing for the inevitable, or the unexpected, is not something that a lot of people like to think about. And today’s high-tech world is creating numerous, unintended challenges for loved ones. In this article, we’re sharing tips for why, what and how to best leverage technology to make things easier for loved ones. Why Organize…
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