Market volatility can serve as a reminder of what investors can and can’t control. What is information, and what is noise? What is predictive of the future, and what is just the past? Long-term investors should focus on what they can control and stay the course – provided they are on the “best” course.The best course is the ...
With cyber theft often in the headlines, it might seem as though it’s not a question of whether your personal information will be compromised, but when. For example, you have likely seen CNN’s estimates that over 100 million Americans have had their personal information stolen and exposed over a one year period. This may leave you wonde...
One of the most common wealth transfer and estate planning techniques is to use an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) to own life insurance policies. This structure enables individuals and families to direct the transfer of assets in a tax-efficient manner from one generation to another for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries.As wit...
Family businesses face unique and often unanticipated challenges transitioning from one generation to the next. The struggle to maintain and protect both family interests and business interests is intricate and complex, with some businesses falling prey to changing environments and deteriorating opportunity amid generational succession.These challe...
Modern medicine has enabled far longer lifespans than ever before. While this is an overall positive development, it also means that many of us will spend years as a caregiver of parents and aging loved ones or as a recipient of that care. Whether your family is facing this situation in the short or long term, and whether you are in the role of car...
Impact investing has become a popular topic of discussion, not only with the mainstream media but also with mainstream investors. Yet while impact investing has entered the mainstream mindset, many investors with the enthusiasm and means to engage meaningfully in impact investing lack the informational resources to do so. For most investors today, ...
Inter-generational role transitions are often bumpy when it comes to the family business. Power and authority are not always easy to lay down when the baton is passed to the next generation, despite best laid plans. In the case of Julie Jacks and her cousins, the transition didn’t go as smoothly as they had hoped. Important discussions were h...
Conventional advice may be harmful if you’ve accumulated significant wealth. Avoiding critical mistakes in asset allocation and family communication, as well as working with a trusted advisor in a collaborative environment are key best practices for ultra-high net worth individuals to pursue. This article provides some of the most common erro...
Transferring more than material wealth has become increasingly important in today’s world. Ethical wills are a key tools that enable you to transmit your values to the next generation with peace of mind. These kinds of wills may include your personal beliefs and philosophy, and even important family history.
Individuals and families considering a business sale typically face a daunting intersection of planning issues. These may include deal structure decisions, legal and regulatory considerations, income tax minimization, capital- sufficiency analysis, wealth transfer and philanthropic goals. As a deal approaches the closing stage, an owner’s att...
Challenging conventional thinking: Investors are typically taught that diversification of portfolio assets is the prudent approach to preserving and growing wealth. Yet the majority of the families we serve appreciate that this tenet doesn’t necessarily apply at the advisory level. In other words, diversifying across multiple advisors without...
Many wealthy families desire a seamless transition of their wealth and a perpetuation of their values for multiple generations, but many struggle with how to accomplish these goals effectively. Successful families typically take intentional steps to create family meetings that foster communication, education and engagement, in order to promote coll...
Jeff Mortimer’s latest Investment Update discusses what branch of the road the market may take, how the market correction served to reset investors’ views on risk and return and how we’re managing the opportunities and/or risks.
Smart phones, tablets and wireless networks are risky tools for high net worth individuals who are often targets of identity theft and social media attacks. This paper highlights the unique threats to HNW individuals and outlines protective measures against such crimes.
When your business and reputation are on the line: Know your professional liability risk – For high net worth individuals who invest their time and resources for lifetime causes, losingbusiness and personal assets can be devastating. Read this paper to understand how to protect HNW individuals from frivolous lawsuits that can threaten t...