Financial Advisor

March 27, 2026The data on market-beating performance is clear: the vast majority of professional money managers don’t beat their benchmarks over the long term. But the real question isn’t whether advisors beat the market. Instead, it’s whether or not they help you achieve better financial outcomes than you would on your own.  While a financial advisor can’t… read more…

March 27, 2026Marriage is a partnership in life, and it should be a partnership when it comes to planning for the future, too. A lot of couples assume everything will automatically go to the surviving spouse, but estate laws and beneficiary rules don’t always work that way. Without a clear plan, your family could end up dealing… read more…

March 27, 2026Wealth management for women focuses on building and protecting wealth in ways that account for the financial realities women are more likely to face. Longer life expectancy, career breaks for caregiving, pay gaps, and major life changes like divorce or losing a spouse can all shape the financial picture over time. And because most women… read more…

March 27, 2026Physicians tend to earn well, but the financial picture is often more complicated than it looks. Between high tax exposure, student loan debt, and years of training that delay real wealth building, many doctors start saving later than most professionals. On top of that, decisions around practice ownership, partnership income, and when to retire add… read more…

March 27, 2026Unlike traditional employees, business owners often have income tied directly to company performance, fluctuating cash flow, and ownership equity. A significant portion of their net worth may be concentrated in a single asset: their business. This creates unique challenges related to diversification, retirement planning, tax strategy, and succession preparation. As such, wealth management for business… read more…

March 20, 2026Unlike individual planning, family wealth management addresses shared financial responsibilities such as supporting children, household expenses and long-term savings goals. These needs often change over time as families experience major milestones such as buying a home, increasing income, or planning for retirement. Wealth management for families also focuses on lining up investments, risk management and… read more…

March 16, 2026My husband and I have buckets of assets (both retirement and taxable investments) that we are considering for “management.” We are retired, have no debt and can live on income and RMDs. I don’t understand and feel very uncomfortable providing statements outside of an advisor’s normal onboarding process. We have very clear goals and are considering… read more…

March 13, 2026If you are looking for professional help with your money, it helps to know the difference between a financial counselor and a financial advisor. These two roles sound similar but they focus on different things. A financial counselor typically works with people on budgeting, debt and day-to-day money management. A financial advisor focuses on investing,… read more…

March 12, 2026A professional sports career can generate life-changing income, but it often comes with an unusually short earning window and intense financial pressure. Between signing bonuses, endorsement deals and sudden lifestyle changes, managing money as a professional athlete can quickly become complex. Without a clear strategy, even substantial earnings can fade faster than expected. Wealth management… read more…

March 12, 2026Building a successful business can create significant wealth, but it can also create financial complexity that’s difficult to manage alone. For many entrepreneurs, personal net worth is closely tied to business performance. Income can fluctuate dramatically, and major decisions carry lasting tax and investment implications. Wealth management offers a structured, strategic approach to navigating these… read more…

March 12, 2026Millionaires face distinct financial challenges that require specialized strategies beyond basic money management. Financial planning for millionaires encompasses investment portfolio diversification, tax optimization, estate planning and wealth preservation across generations. The right planning approach can help high-net-worth individuals maximize returns while minimizing tax liabilities and protecting assets from potential threats. Whether you’re focused on tax… read more…

March 12, 2026Financial planning for widows addresses the shift from managing money as a couple to making all financial decisions independently after the loss of a spouse. This transition involves understanding how income sources, tax obligations and account structures change when a spouse passes away. As part of the process, it’s necessary to evaluate new benefit options,… read more…

March 9, 2026Not everyone has been fortunate to have high-earning employment during their life. That said, for those of us who have saved as best we could but do not have a substantial amount (less than $300,000), what is a realistic retirement savings goal and where do we go for advice? -Jim There’s no magic number for… read more…

March 5, 2026My husband has an annuity that he has not rolled into an IRA. If I inherit this annuity, does it work the same as if he had an IRA? Can I roll the funds into my IRA. We are both retired and are in our early 80s. – Carol No, you wouldn’t be able to… read more…

February 18, 2026Retiring at 60 with $1 million is possible for some people, but the outcome depends on how long the money needs to last, how much is withdrawn each year and what other income sources are available. A portfolio of that size may support annual withdrawals of roughly $40,000 to $50,000, before taxes and inflation adjustments.… read more…

February 17, 2026At what point should you stop contributing to your investment and retirement accounts and just let time and compound interest do its thing? I’m 39 (married with a 1-year-old) with $587,000 in a 401(k)/TSP and $135,000 in a Roth IRA. My employer matches up to 5% of 401(k) contributions. I’m planning to sell a rental… read more…

February 13, 2026Managing money as a family is rarely simple, especially when multiple goals and life changes collide. From saving for college to planning for retirement, financial decisions can feel overwhelming without a clear roadmap. A family financial planner can help bring structure and confidence to those choices—but understanding what they actually do is the first step.… read more…

February 13, 2026Whether or not a breach of fiduciary duty is a crime depends on the facts of the situation, the intent behind the actions taken and whether the conduct violates criminal statutes in addition to civil law. In many cases, breaches of fiduciary duty are resolved through civil lawsuits. However, certain behaviors can expose fiduciaries to… read more…

February 18, 2026Selling a home below its fair market value can trigger tax considerations beyond those of a standard real estate transaction. When a property is sold at a discount, the IRS may treat part of the difference between the sale price and the market value as a gift. In turn, this can affect gift tax reporting… read more…

February 18, 2026The tax implications of a parent living with you depend on several factors, including financial support, income levels and household arrangements. In some cases, you may be able to claim a parent as a dependent, which can affect credits, deductions and filing status. Shared housing can also influence eligibility for benefits related to caregiving, medical… read more…

February 9, 2026A 401(k) plan may look like a simple paycheck deduction, but behind the scenes is a legal structure that plays a critical role in protecting your retirement savings. Known as a 401(k) trust, this framework determines how your money is held, managed and safeguarded from day one through retirement. Understanding how a 401(k) trust works… read more…

February 9, 2026Help me! I read the column frequently—huge fan! I’m 47, married, and severely burned out after 25+ years in a fast-paced and stressful field. We have $750,000 in a personal brokerage account (I contribute $30,000 annually), $760,000 in a rollover IRA, $210,000 in a Roth 401(k) (plus a $13,000 company match), $150,000 in crypto, $20,000… read more…

February 6, 2026Fiduciary funds are assets that one party manages on behalf of another under a legal obligation to act in the beneficiary’s best interest. These arrangements are common in estate planning, retirement accounts, employee benefit plans and situations involving minors or incapacitated individuals. Because fiduciary fund management involves strict duties and oversight, these arrangements can affect… read more…

February 6, 2026Tapping into your home’s equity can feel like a smart financial move, especially when interest rates on other types of debt are higher. However, when tax season rolls around, many homeowners are surprised to learn that HELOC interest isn’t always deductible. Knowing these rules can help you avoid incorrect assumptions and plan borrowing more carefully.… read more…

February 6, 2026Annuities are commonly used to provide retirement income and may offer guaranteed payments or tax-deferred growth. However, annuity contracts differ widely in structure, costs and payout terms. A financial advisor can explain how a specific annuity works, how it fits into your overall financial plan and how it relates to other retirement income sources. What… read more…