Category: Family Needs

Navigating divorce, while challenging, can open the door to a more aligned lifestyle, opportunities for unexpected growth, and newfound freedoms for all parties. But that doesn’t make it easy, particularly when you are in the middle of something that can be a giant disruption to your life and family. Coldstream Wealth Managers Larissa Vidal and [...]

Families often assign a trusted family member or friend to serve as their trustee to take on the role of settling their estate and distributing trust assets. But there are times when families may want to seek professional support beyond friends and family—whether due to complexities of the trust, a need for a neutral third [...]

What’s in this article? What is an executor? Executor core responsibilities The process of settling an estate Timeline expectations Fiduciary duty Finding support   Being named the executor of an estate is both practical and personal. On paper, it’s a legal role. In reality, it’s a position of trust. You’re the person someone chose to [...]

What’s inside this article? When does your child need to file a tax return? What documents will they need to gather? Common first-time mistakes to watch out for Creating an opportunity to build financial literacy When professional help may make sense   There are a lot of “firsts” that mark the transition into adulthood — [...]

What’s in this article? State tax considerations for Oregon and Washington residents Taking advantage of the annual and lifetime gift tax exclusion Making direct payments for education and healthcare Gifting to 529 Plans Using custodial accounts and trust structures as a tool for gifting to grandkids   Many of the grandparents that I work with [...]

In this article (read below or download here): Getting started with a multi-generational philanthropy tradition How donor-advised funds (DAF) offer both flexibility and tax advantages Building a legacy with a family foundation How Charitable Lead Trusts (CLTs) can play a role in family giving The most significant thing we can pass on to the next [...]

For the past two years, I’ve been the primary caregiver for my 94-year-old mom.  The experience has been both challenging and—unexpectedly—rewarding. Everyone’s journey looks different, but there are common threads. Caring for aging parents requires planning, flexibility, compassion, and a strong support system. Here are a few lessons that I’ve learned that may help guide [...]

Summary points: This article outlines and describes some of the most important legal documents you’ll need to include as part of your end-of-life planning, including: Your last will and/or living trust determine how assets are passed on after your death; a living trust may also determine how assets are used and distributed if you are [...]

Serious illness and the imminent passing of a family member or close friend can be one of the most challenging and heart-wrenching times in a person’s life. Luckily, the ability of healthcare professionals to work alongside patients and family members as they face these difficult moments is rising to the challenge. Hospice is one of [...]