A framework for evaluating policy performance and promoting alignment with your overall wealth plan Introduction Life insurance often occupies a peculiar place in a family’s financial architecture. Once purchased, policies tend to recede into the background, reviewed only when premiums come due or when a significant life event prompts reconsideration. Yet for high net worth…
An advanced planning technique that combines philanthropic giving with wealth transfer objectives Introduction For families seeking to support charitable causes while also transferring wealth to future generations, a charitable lead trust offers a sophisticated structure that accomplishes both objectives simultaneously. Unlike more common charitable vehicles such as donor advised funds or private foundations, a charitable…
How families can use loans between family members as part of a comprehensive wealth plan Introduction Loans between family members represent one of the more straightforward wealth transfer techniques available, yet they remain underutilized by many families who could benefit from their flexibility. An intrafamily loan allows a family member with capital to provide financing…
Understanding the rules that govern mandatory withdrawals from retirement accounts Introduction Tax advantaged retirement accounts offer significant benefits during the accumulation phase, allowing investments to grow on a tax deferred or tax free basis for decades. However, the IRS does not permit indefinite deferral. At a certain point, account owners must begin withdrawing funds and…
Key considerations for executives navigating equity compensation decisions in early 2026 For corporate executives with significant equity compensation, the first quarter represents a critical planning window. January and February vesting events can trigger substantial tax obligations, create concentration risk, and present opportunities for strategic decision making that will influence financial outcomes for the entire year.…
Five Financial Conversations to Have in the First Week of 2026 The transition from one calendar year to the next offers a natural inflection point for reflection and recalibration. For families of significant wealth, the first week of January represents more than a symbolic fresh start. It is an opportunity to review that the professionals…
With the end of 2025 approaching, there is still time to make high‑impact moves that can lower your tax bill and set you up better for 2026. The key is focusing on actions that must be done by December 31 and coordinating them with your broader financial plan, not in isolation. 1. Maximize Workplace Retirement…
The following books stand out in 2025 for how they illuminate technology, geopolitics, economic change, and corporate behavior. Together they offer a broad, timely view of the forces reshaping business, finance, and policy today. Abundance – Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson Abundance examines why it has become so hard for advanced economies to build, whether…
A will is a legal document that explains who should receive your assets and who should care for any minor children after you die, and it is the foundation of a solid estate plan for almost every adult. Having a clear, legally valid will can help protect your family, reduce conflict, and make sure your…
Rule 10b5-1 is an SEC regulation under the U.S. securities laws that defines when trading “on the basis of” material nonpublic information occurs and provides a structured way for corporate insiders to establish pre-arranged trading plans in company stock that can serve as an affirmative defense to insider trading allegations. In practice, “10b5-1 plans” are…