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Open dialogue between parents and children and, specifically, the creation of a family contract can promote responsible use of digital devices. With the help of a discussion guide and a sample contract, families can learn to prepare a contract that works for them. The process of working together builds trust, incorporates multiple perspectives, and makes it more likely that younger family members will follow the terms of the agreement.

Although climate risk is likely underestimated by financial markets, investors would be wise to consider it in their investment decision-making process. Given the expected future repricing of this risk, there is a window of opportunity for investors to get ahead of the curve. This paper provides a high-level overview of the current climate science and discusses a few economic implications.

The pursuit of forecasting what opportunities and obstacles lie ahead takes added importance when looking at a new year and new decade to come. What follows are some thoughts about the opportunities and challenges before us, along with the identification of significant trends that will guide our analysis and portfolio recommendations. In addition, this issue includes an explanation of a goals-based investing approach, updated performance for major asset categories, and key market events to watch.

The familiar cliché that hindsight is 20/20 seems particularly apt as we step into the year 2020 and look back on the decade of the 2010s. Throughout the past 10 years, we returned time and time again to principles and themes that we considered vital for success not just in this decade, but any decade. Revisiting the core principles and themes, while also highlighting the market’s lessons, will serve wealthy families well in the decade to come.

Although malware is predominantly delivered via email, the types of entry points continue to evolve, and many will not be caught by a family office firewall. So, it is crucial to build a first line of defense, and it starts with employee security awareness training, testing, and auditing. Mitigate the cybersecurity risks in the family office by deploying the top 10 internal controls.

In 2020, we see a slightly better economic growth environment but modest capital market returns relative to the stellar gains of 2019. The global economy and markets will take two steps forward as stimulus measures lead to firming global growth, but policy uncertainty will cause markets to periodically take a step back. The U.S. election will come into focus, and markets will ebb and flow with the changing dynamics of the race. Equities should outperform fixed income. The push and pull interest rate environments is set to continue.

For many wealth creators, amassing wealth took a lot of work, but passing down the knowledge and tools to the next generation for successful wealth transition can be an even bigger challenge. Wealth creators may not know how to start or know the best approach. Through an infographic and video, learn the best ways to pass down the knowledge and tools to the next generation for a successful wealth transition.

The new year brings with it new tax-savings opportunities, including larger tax exemptions and exclusions, and new rules governing most retirement accounts. This advisory includes charts showing these figures for 2020 as well as this year's income tax brackets. A list of strategies and tips to consider in your tax planning this year follows each chart.

As technological advances are disrupting and transforming companies in every sector, the traditional investing landscape is also being disrupted. Venture capital is at the core of the transformation and has become a critical component of a long-term investment strategy. With the potential for attractive returns and significant impact to society, venture investing presents a prime platform for cross-generational conversations about investing and the critical role it can play in the family’s portfolio.

In seeking to evaluate the risk and return potential for a range of asset classes within the anticipated investment environment, there is caution given the deceleration in the economic cycle indicators that are monitored. A recession is not anticipated in 2020, but the conditions could change rapidly and investors should be prepared to make adjustments as necessary and appropriate.