Estate Planning and 529 Plans When you contribute to a 529 plan, you’ll not only help your child, grandchild, or other loved one pay for school, but you’ll also remove money from your taxable estate. This will help you minimize your tax liability and preserve more of your estate for your loved ones after you […]

December 2024 Market Summary: Stocks End 2024 on a Mixed Note, Fed Cuts Interest Rate, Bond Funds Rise as Yield Fall Equities Overview Equities posted mixed results in December to close out 2024. The price-weighted Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 5.1% as UnitedHealth Group (UNH), Sherwin-Williams (SHW), and Caterpillar (CAT) all posted double-digit declines in December. The market […]

Members of the Military: Estate Planning Whether you’re a veteran or just starting out in the military, planning and preparing your estate is of vital importance. Why is estate planning so critical? Because, at your death, you leave behind the people you love and all your worldly goods. Without proper planning, you have no say […]

The S&P 500 Just Crossed 6,000. What’s Next? The S&P 500 took over headlines on a Monday in mid-November when it closed above 6,000 points for the first time. From humble beginnings at just 16.66 points in January 1950, the widely-followed benchmark index has traveled far in the almost 75 years since, generating incredible wealth […]

November 2024 Market Summary: Stocks Rally, Home Sales Collapse, Bond Funds Appreciate The S&P 500’s Journey to 6,000 The S&P 500 crossed 6,000 for the first time on November 11th, 2024. This is the second 1,000-point milestone to take place in the same year, as the index hit the 5,000-point mark back in February. It took the […]

Taxes & Policy: Post Presidential Election Now that the election is over, what will the new administration prioritize in the new year? Here are a few things we’re watching in the months ahead: The debt ceiling debate may reignite in early 2025. The debt ceiling, the cap on the total amount of debt the U.S. […]

Estate Tax Changes Under Recent Tax Acts This article summarizes the changes made to the federal gift and estate tax and the federal generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax under the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the 2010 Tax Act), the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the 2012 Tax Act), […]

President Trump Wins, Now What? President Trump has won reelection; what does that mean for investors? Let’s discuss. As of writing, Republicans have won the White House and a Senate majority, and may win a House majority.1 Markets reacted to the news by rallying to new record highs.2 Does that indicate they see president-elect Trump’s […]

October 2024 Market Summary Should The Election Cause You to Change Investing Strategies? Historically, investing only during the presidencies of one’s preferred political party results in missing out on significant gains over time. For example, a fully-invested all-S&P 500 portfolio generated an 8.11% annualized return since 1950 through October 31st, 2024, much higher than that […]

Understanding Probate When you die, you leave behind your estate. Your estate consists of your assets — all of your money, real estate, and worldly belongings. Your estate also includes your debts, expenses, and unpaid taxes. After you die, somebody must take charge of your estate and settle your affairs. This person will take your […]