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Estate Planning

The First 10 Steps to Take When You Receive an Inheritance Lump Sum

The First 10 Steps to Take When You Receive an Inheritance Lump Sum

Inheriting a lump sum can be a life-changing event, and it's essential to approach it with careful consideration and planning. As experienced financial planners, we understand the weight of this situation and the importance of making informed decisions. As a starting point in your decision-making, let’s discuss the first 10 steps to take when you receive an inheritance lump sum that can help you make the most of your newfound wealth.

8 Fast-Approaching Tax Deadlines to Keep in Mind

8 Fast-Approaching Tax Deadlines to Keep in Mind

As the year-end approaches, it is important to take note of the upcoming tax deadlines. As a financial advisor firm that believes in providing our clients with a wealth of knowledge and guidance, we want to remind you of 8 essential tax deadlines for the year 2023.

Help the First Responders Help You

Help the First Responders Help You

If you are in the midst of a severe medical emergency and you are by yourself, how will an emergency medical professional know your blood type, any medications you might be taking and the dosage, and if you have children or pets at home that need care if you become hospitalized or incapacitated?

2022 Year End Planning Updates

2022 Year End Planning Updates

As the year-end approaches, now is an ideal time to review strategic planning opportunities and preview what lies ahead in 2023. We encourage you to discuss these planning topics with your Sand Hill Wealth Manager

Do I Really Need a Trust to Avoid Probate?

Do I Really Need a Trust to Avoid Probate?

If you have a 401(k), an IRA or a life insurance policy, you’re likely familiar with a beneficiary designation form and how it works. You might be wondering then why you’d even bother establishing a trust if your taxable accounts and home can be covered by a TOD designation and your retirement accounts can be covered by a beneficiary designation form.

Top Things to Know Before Retiring Abroad

Top Things to Know Before Retiring Abroad

When you consider your future retirement, you may have specific ideas and preferences in mind. Perhaps one such preference is retiring in another country. While doing so can be full of fascinating possibilities and great happiness, there are specific things to be keenly aware of when structuring your successful retirement plans.

Getting Your Affairs in Order: End of Life Planning

Getting Your Affairs in Order: End of Life Planning

When we are young, it is challenging to appreciate an aging process that results in loss of mental capacity and/or death of our loved ones. This happens to some of us more quickly than others.

Can You Deduct Mortgage Interest on a Second Home?

Can You Deduct Mortgage Interest on a Second Home?

If you have recently purchased or are considering a secondary residence for use as a short-term rental or personal vacation home, you might be curious about the possible tax breaks and whether or not you can deduct your mortgage interest.

Introduction to Advanced Gift Planning Strategies

Introduction to Advanced Gift Planning Strategies

A primary goal of many affluent families is to pass assets to their beneficiaries in such a way as to not lose significant portions of that wealth to gift or estate taxes. This is a crucial part of wealth management and estate planning.

Gifting Strategies During Life to Help Reduce Estate Taxes

Gifting Strategies During Life to Help Reduce Estate Taxes

Amassing wealth comes with many benefits, but having a substantial estate comes with the repercussions of elevated taxes. Gifting portions of your assets to mitigate tax ramifications is possibly a reasonable strategy.

Dual Residency

Dual Residency

Dual residency is for many, an excellent way to get the most enjoyment out of your assets. Having two homes in different parts of the country allows for maximum freedom in your lifestyle, and perks abound, depending on your interests.

Divorce and 7 Other Events that Trigger an Estate Plan Review

Divorce and 7 Other Events that Trigger an Estate Plan Review

In the current political environment, all eyes are focused on what possible new estate tax changes might become law given the new administration’s campaign proposals.

The Search for a Financial Advisor

The Search for a Financial Advisor

We all want our financial journey to be clear, straightforward, and dependable. We want our growth to follow a steady upward trajectory with no surprises, anchored in wisdom and unshakeable strategy.

When Is It Time to Hire a Financial Advisor?

When Is It Time to Hire a Financial Advisor?

When it comes to finances, everyone has a unique situation and a diverse collection of personal goals. Meeting those aspirations can be difficult in the best of circumstances, but navigating relentless change can make things challenging.

Drafting Your Happily Ever After

Drafting Your Happily Ever After

When most couples get engaged, they begin dreaming of their future life together and planning their wedding. They are not typically thinking about writing up a premarital or prenuptial agreement, also known more informally as a prenup. For many, there is the attitude that a prenup will create a negative self-fulfilling prophecy and inevitably lead to divorce; but in fact, such agreements may serve as a roadmap for a healthy financial relationship in marriage.