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COVID-19 has forced organizations of all kinds to consider what the future of their operations would look like in a post COVID-19 world. Family offices were no exception. Rapidly fading are the days when a family office would provide a space where their staff can work. Most of these physical offices now stand empty as working from home has become the new normal. For many family offices, the answer is to become a virtual family office.

One of today’s dominant macro-trends is the reversal of globalization—the free flow of people, goods, services, capital, technology, and ideas across national borders. COVID-19 has further accelerated the deglobalization. In this environment, equity investors may have a harder time finding steady profitability and value. Taking a look at how we got here and moving forward, history provides insights on how to navigate the challenge.

Many companies were caught off-guard in the spring when diagnoses of COVID-19 multiplied rapidly and forced businesses to close or drastically change their policies with little warning. Now companies that have reopened must prepare for the future, as resurgences may occur at any time in different parts of the country. In preparation for future infections, there are proactive steps businesses can take.

New tax legislation is most likely to happen if next year the Democratic Party controls the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the White House. Now is the time to develop a contingency plan that can be implemented depending on the outcome of the U.S. election. Planning strategies that can be customized to the needs of each family are available, including taxable gifts, pre-fund life insurance trusts, spousal access trusts, intra-family loan, dynasty trusts, and GRAT planning.

There are policy changes and new procedures that companies—including family offices—should consider when reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly given the increase in cases in many parts of the country. But companies cannot change policies in a vacuum. Instead, they must clearly and effectively communicate these changes to employees, customers, and the public. There are a few ways to make effective communication happen and ensure higher rates of compliance around new procedures.

As a clearer picture of each U.S. presidential candidate’s platforms emerges, many have yet to consider how a potential change in leadership may impact their current estate tax and income tax. This guides provides a thorough outline and comparison of both Biden’s and Trump’s tax platforms and includes possible impacts to high-income earners, high net worth individuals, and families. To help mitigate the tax impacts, several key strategies are brought into focus.

In recent years, global equities had slightly outpaced market forecasts for lower equity returns. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit the global economy, putting an end to the 10-year bull market. Equity markets have started to recover, but the pandemic introduced and exacerbated challenges that are expected to subdue financial market returns over the next five years. Looking ahead, six key themes have emerged. They also identify the trends we see affecting the markets and economy.

There is no avoiding the subject: COVID-19 has made it a tough period for many U.S. businesses. While a few sectors have benefitted from the pandemic, the vast majority are considering taking on additional debt or equity, selling off portions of the business, liquidating the business altogether, or declaring bankruptcy. This high-level overview provides business owners with some of the key topics and restructuring strategies they should be aware of.

On this podcast episode, a discussion with a top bankruptcy and restructuring lawyer provides insights on the ways COVID-19 causes financial distress to businesses, the parties involved, and why it may take some time before companies become distressed. It also addresses new rules that streamline the bankruptcy process for smaller businesses to help them survive, and insurance coverage issues arising in these distressed situations.

The U.S. stock market is proving to be a headscratcher this year. Since taking a nosedive in March, the S&P 500 Index has racked up impressive gains of 56.4%. What's more, this successful run comes not only amid a pandemic, but also on the back of the sharpest contraction in the U.S. economy since the 1940s. This rally, led by technology stocks, is causing some to question the soundness of markets while point to a potential dislocation between economic data and equity values.