Passing It On: A Field Guide To How Your Accounts Actually Transfer
When you picture who inherits your accounts, it is natural to think first of your will. Yet for many accounts, a beneficiary form can quietly override your will, and so can the way the account is titled. That raises an obvious question: how does each of your accounts actually transfer? This is the field guide. […]
Passing It On: The Form That Overrides Your Will
Picture someone who did everything right. They hired a good attorney, drafted a thoughtful will, funded a trust, and put their affairs in careful order. Years later, their largest account, a retirement plan built over a lifetime, passed to a former spouse. Not because of anything in the will. Because of a single form, filled […]
Teaching Kids About Money: Lessons That Compound
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” Warren Buffett Ask a room of parents to name the most valuable thing they hope to pass on to their children, and money rarely tops the list. Character, curiosity, and resilience usually come first, as they should. But a close […]
A New Tool in the Toolbox: What Trump Accounts Mean for Young Families
Every parent who has opened a 529 plan knows the feeling. You are trying to give your child a head start, but you will not know for decades whether it worked. This July, families got a new option to help with that head start: Trump Accounts for kids. Here is what the new accounts are, […]
Why “Are You a Fiduciary?” Is No Longer Enough
“Are you a fiduciary?” is an important question, but it is not a complete due-diligence process when deciding on a financial advisor. For example, asking if your adviser is a St Louis fiduciary advisor helps clarify legal obligations, but it does not by itself tell an investor whether the adviser has the right expertise, reasonable […]
Third Quarter Tax Moves That Matter Most: Time For a Mid-Year Tax Checkup
As the third quarter begins, many individuals and business owners are focused on vacations, growth initiatives, and preparing for the second half of the year. Third quarter tax planning is rarely top of mind, but it should be. July through September is the ideal time for third quarter tax planning. With six months of financial […]
Financial Scam Prevention: 7 Common Scams Every Investor Should Know
Sound investing takes patience, discipline, and the right counsel. But effective financial scam prevention requires one more thing: knowing that the greatest threats to your wealth do not always originate in the market. Scammers have grown remarkably sophisticated, exploiting technology, social media, personal relationships, and your instinct to trust. No investment strategy guards against them. […]
Why Graduation Season Is the Perfect Time to Start a 529 Savings Plan
As high school seniors walk across the stage this spring and prepare for life on a college campus, many families are focused on immediate expenses: tuition, dorm supplies, meal plans, and orientation fees just to name a few. But graduation season is also the perfect reminder that higher education planning does not end when college […]
Second Quarter Tax Moves That Matter Most
Effective second quarter tax planning gives you time to adjust your strategy before year-end deadlines limit your options. Acting early allows you to reduce tax liability, improve cash flow, and align financial decisions with your long-term goals. Review Your Tax Return and Take Action Filing your return should trigger analysis, not amnesia. A strong second […]
Why Leaders Must Perform a Regular 401(k) Plan Audit
A thoughtful 401(k) plan audit is no longer just a compliance exercise, it’s a critical responsibility for today’s business leaders. Strong governance extends far beyond financial reporting and executive oversight. One of the most impactful, and often overlooked, duties leaders carry is ensuring their retirement plan is regularly reviewed and aligned with employees’ best interests. […]