25

Mar

Planning for Blended-Families: Part I: Intake Process

The “blended family” comprises a fast-growing segment of US households. Whether an attorney or investment advisor, fine-tune your intake or initial interview process to determine the desirability of representing a blended-family client, assess the accepted client to d...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Planning for Blended Families: Part II: 3-Step Counseling Strategy for Blended Families

It is vital for each member of the advisory team to understand the roles of the other members in meeting their client's needs. Therefore, in this issue of The Wealth Counselor, we will focus on how the estate planning attorney uses the initial interview in a blended-family...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Identifying Hidden Financial Risks Creates Sales Demand

The world changes; clients' circumstances change; motivations and interests change. As these changes occur—often gradually—“hidden” risks emerge that can significantly deteriorate future wealth if left unattended. By “hidden” risks, we me...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Trusts Solve Client Needs and Add Value to Wealth Plans

Some think that trusts are used only for end-of-life planning. Trusts, however, are like wrenches: they come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, each particularly suited to a particular need. Some are for wealth accumulation while others are for wealth preservation, and still...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Building Creative and Flexible Wealth and Estate Planning Solutions for Your Clients in 2014

The signing of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (“ATRA”) on January 2, 2013, certainly marked a transition for wealth and estate planning professionals and their clients. Before ATRA, planning was often dominated by the volatility and uncertainty of the federa...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Three Simple Ways to Sell Complex Solutions

When it comes to financial and wealth planning issues, more often than not, people go to a professional they trust. They may be working with a financial planner, CPA, agent, or banker, but when trust and estate concerns arise, clients need their trusted advisor to listen to their...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Three Key Strategies for Helping Clients Navigate Aging Plans

Many of your clients are baby boomers (now ages 50-68) moving into retirement and dealing with all the issues related to aging: elderly parents, kids in college, saving enough to last a lifetime and protecting what they have. With a dizzying array of financial instruments to choo...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

These Four Childfree Prospect Tips Will Grow Your Business – And They’re Not What You Think

Childfree individuals and couples often face choices, decisions, and questions, which you are uniquely qualified to address. Like many allied financial professionals, you may focus on helping clients pass the maximum amount of wealth to their beloved children. Along with buying a...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

How to Avoid a Basis Management Disaster

Many of us in the legal, financial and accounting worlds discover our new clients' well-intentioned, yet disastrous, plans after the fact. The widow has already transferred her house into her children’s names or an inherited IRA is drained to pay for a Porsche. Observ...

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Category: Advisors

25

Mar

Portability and Married Couples

Portability laws and the opportunities they create have significantly increased advisors' roles in estate planning. No longer is the standard credit shelter trust (with QTIP or outright distribution to spouse) the only way for married couples to plan. Now, CPAs, insurance...

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Category: Advisors