Category: Financial Planning

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 [...]

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was passed by Congress and signed into law on July 4th, 2025. This new tax law is set to reshape charitable giving rules beginning in 2026. While many of the changes appear subtle, their impact could be significant—especially for families who regularly donate to charity. With just weeks [...]

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 [...]

As we near the end of the year, it’s time to wrap up year-end charitable giving. To ensure that your gift donations are processed by year-end, please follow the deadline guidelines below provided by Schwab and Fidelity for your brokerage accounts. Schwab Year-End Gifting Deadlines Type of gift/contribution Deadline requirement for 2025 tax deduction Mutual [...]

Google provides an extensive range of benefits that can enhance your wealth, manage risk, and secure your future. By integrating Google’s compensation, retirement, and health benefits into your financial plan, you can better align these offerings with your long-term goals. Equity Awards Google’s stock units (GSUs) can be a powerful tool for achieving financial objectives. [...]

You can read and/or download our 2025 Year-End Tax Planning Checklist here: [...]

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 [...]

Beginning September 30, 2025, the U.S. Treasury will no longer issue paper checks for most federal payments. This change affects how Social Security benefits, tax refunds, trust and estate payments, and other government disbursements are delivered. All payments will transition to Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), such as direct deposit into a bank account or a U.S. Treasury–issued Direct Express® [...]