Category: Wealth Strategy

For many families, estate planning begins with a will and basic documents. As wealth grows, however, planning may need to become more strategic. The focus shifts from simply transferring assets to encompass a broader and longer-term view: protecting wealth, minimizing taxes, and structuring assets so they can support multiple generations and establish a family legacy. [...]

What’s in this article Washington Tax Changes: The “Millionaires’ Tax” Capital Gains Changes Estate Tax Changes Real Estate Taxes New Luxury Taxes Oregon Tax Changes SB 1507 QSBS Tax Changes Conclusion: A Structural Shift and Planning Moment As the Washington and Oregon State Legislative Sessions come to a close, both states are looking at significant [...]

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 Does a Trustee Actually Do? During Incapacity: A Financial First Responder After Death: Administration, Distribution, or Ongoing Management The Characteristics of a Strong Trustee Naming an Individual vs. a Corporate Trustee A Decision That Should Evolve   As a Certified Financial Planner™, I often tell clients that naming a trustee [...]

Women’s financial power is greater today than it has ever been. With more women in leadership positions and staying in the workforce longer, the amount of wealth women control will only continue to grow. Often, women’s financial management needs differ than those of men. Women have many unique challenges: they live longer lifespans but often [...]

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 in this article? The Importance of Finding a Good Fit What does a relationship with you look like? What’s your investment philosophy? How are you compensated? What are your qualifications? What sort of digital access do you provide clients? Finding the Right Advisor for You People choose to work with financial advisors for a [...]

It is a new year and with that comes new contribution and gifting limits from the IRS.  As you begin to plan for the year ahead, we’ve highlighted some key changes in 2026 to be aware of for retirement accounts, health saving accounts, and gifting. Individual Retirement Accounts The annual contribution limits for traditional and [...]

The term “volatility” often carries a bit of a charge because it’s common for investors to conflate “volatility” with losses or danger. But volatility and risk are not synonymous, and understanding what volatility is and the role it plays in an investment strategy can help investors make smarter decisions. What is volatility? Volatility is a [...]