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Wyoming’s lack of income taxes, strong asset protection laws and allowance for private family trust companies are quickly elevating it as one of top trust situs states in terms of attracting new business. The State's unique aspects include dynasty trusts, directed trusts, tax advantages, creditor protection, beneficiary statement waivers, flexibility, and privacy.

The U.S. equity income market could be in for a wild ride in 2020. Learn how exposure diversification may help your portfolio weather the coming storm.

Parents and grandparents often want to help their children and grandchildren with significant financial goals and challenges: buying a first home, making a financial investment, or starting a new business. Intra-Family Loans (IFLs) are a simple, low-cost, effective (yet often underutilized) wealth transfer technique that parents and grandparents can use to assist their family members with these economic challenges—all without incurring federal gift taxes if properly structured.

One of the biggest challenges corporate and municipal bond investors face when it comes to portfolio performance is interest rate fluctuation. Changing interest rates can increase risk and decrease investment value. Incorporating a separately managed account made up of evenly weighted bonds into an investment strategy may help reduce risk and make it easier to withstand rising interest rates.

Successful owners who choose to sell their business have many things to think about before beginning the process. Owners who are new to the process should consider not only the financial ramifications of selling their business but also how it can affect their life after the sale has finished. To make the selling of a profitable business much smoother, there are five things to consider. First, it begins with the question: What financial means do I need to support my current lifestyle?

In a survey of 1,000 owners of privately held businesses across the United States, there was a focus on owners’ attitudes toward transitioning their businesses in light of their perceptions of macroeconomic and political conditions. The topic is especially pertinent as Baby Boomers—who own about four million companies—enter retirement age. In this environment, the competition for buyers or investors is likely to be intense, and those business owners who have begun preparing for transition early and have a holistic plan in place will be best positioned for success.

2019 witnessed an uncommon surge for both risky and safe assets as stocks and bonds had their biggest simultaneous gains in more than two decades. An improving outlook on the economy, progress between the U.S. and China on trade, and the Fed’s interest rate cuts boosted investors’ confidence. However, fears of a global manufacturing slowdown, aggravated by trade conflicts, helped push up defensive assets along the way.

When starting with family philanthropy, a family can choose a donor-advised fund or establish a private foundation. Each option has different requirements and management issues, including start-up costs, privacy matters, control of grants and assets, and flexibility in impact investing. Serving as a general guidance for you and your experienced advisor, this chart provides comparison data between donor-advised funds and private foundations that can help you choose the option that is best for you and your family.

For investors, it's helpful to consider the forces that could impact the markets. Taking some time at the beginning of the year to pause, reflect on the past, and consider carefully how it informs you about the future is a valuable exercise. It allows you to thoughtfully consider the environment you are entering and explore some of the opportunities and challenges that may drive the market's narrative in the coming year. In 2020, there are three things worth watching above all others.

Positive screens include good companies, and negative ones exclude bad companies, right? Discover why they’re really just two sides of the same coin.