Eight Wealth Management Issues
Investment Management*: A unique investment strategy is developed for each client based on their goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. An investment plan, which is diversified and maintained through rebalancing and reallocation, is then formulated. This approach is applicable to taxable as well as tax-deferred accounts, such as IRA’s and 401(k)/ Profit Sharing Rollovers.
Cash Flow and Debt Management: Cash inflows and outflows are evaluated to create a clear picture of where your money is going and the availability of cash to meet your financial goals. Overall debt level is evaluated and opportunities to improve cash flow are identified. Alternate debt strategies and tax implications are also reviewed and evaluated.
Family Risk Management: Risk management is one of the keys to success in any financial plan. The death or disability of a family member, coupled with the potential of exorbitant related expenses, can thwart even the best plans and intentions. Existing death, disability, and long term care plans are reviewed and evaluated to insure your current needs are adequately met in a cost-efficient manner.
Retirement Planning*: Retirement today involves many considerations not existent when most of us entered the workforce. Establishing a clear vision of what retirement means to you and establishing the level of assets you will need to pursue that vision are the starting point for any sound retirement plan. Income needs and tax implications, as well as potential road blocks, are evaluated to help move you steadily toward your vision. Longer life expectancy and potential future health care costs also need to be assessed and considered.
For business owners, there are a variety of retirement plan options available, both contributory and non-contributory. I will assess what you are trying to achieve and the resources available to arrive at the best alternative in your situation. Then I can help you choose an appropriate product , communicate the plan to your employees, and handle all the paperwork for you. In this era of increased focus on fiduciary liability, I can help you avoid the potential pitfalls this aspect of an employer sponsored plan may present. Simply stated, I can help take many burdens of a retirement plan off your shoulders.
Education Planning*: Education is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children or grandchildren. Affording a quality education is often a daunting task. Will financial aid be available and will your loved ones qualify for available aid? What will the total price tag be? Will the sources of aid available today be available in the future? These are some of the difficult questions regarding education funding. I will help assess the need, establish a systematic savings strategy, and identify potential investment vehicles suitable in each client’s unique circumstances.
Legacy Planning: Ensuring that your family is cared for and your assets pass to the heirs of your choice are the crux of legacy planning. Minimizing tax obligations and maximizing the asset value passing to your heirs is the outcome of a solid legacy plan. I will wade with you through this potentially complex and emotionally charged process to help your wishes become reality.
Business Planning: What would happen to your business should one or more key individuals become ill, be called away from the business, or pass away unexpectedly? All too often, this results in diminished value of the entity and/or production chaos and loss of sales. What will happen to your business when you retire or decide to pursue another venture? Will family members or key employees want to take over? How will you receive the value you built up in the company? These and other potentially devastating issues can be preempted by having a business continuation and a business succession plan in place. I will examine your systems and finances to construct effective continuation plans. I work with you to identify viable successors and buy out plans so that when the time arrives, transition of ownership is smooth and value is not lost. These approaches help you take advantage of opportunities, more effectively manage the tax impact, and keep profits viable for those taking the helm.
Special Situation Planning: Unique clients face unique financial challenges and opportunities as they progress through life. I help you identify situations that can be foreseen, and assist you in dealing with those you couldn’t have seen coming. Whether this is a spur-of-the-moment vacation, caring for a disabled child, a wedding, or some other unforeseen event, we will help you meet the financial need and coordinate this with your other planning efforts.
Asset Allocation and diversification do not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses.