This first year has revealed the transformative potential of the Beneficiary Well-Being Trust model. By encouraging structured, purpose-driven education and support, these trusts represent a fundamental shift in how wealth is passed down—not only transferring assets but also preparing the next generation to use them wisely.

As we have added new board members over the years, we have remained steadfastly committed to finding respected leaders with proven track records of success and skill sets that will compliment those of our existing board members and strengthen our corporate governance platform. This is why I am especially excited about welcoming Bill Manns to our board of directors this month.

Market performance year-to-date reflects this complex reality. After a volatile first half, domestic equities have shown renewed strength, with U.S. large caps now up approximately 9% for the year. International markets, which led performance earlier in the year, remain strong, with developed international and emerging market stocks each up about 18%. The bond market has seen more muted results as hopes for imminent rate cuts faded. Overall, a diversified portfolio has continued to generate positive returns, rewarding investors who have remained committed to their strategic allocation.

In many ways, you can see how the whole idea of a sailing ship is like a wealth plan. The analogy is not perfect, but it does allow us to look deeply at one aspect of planning from a slightly different angle: What do we do when storms arise?

Retirement plans have undergone significant changes over the last 20 years as the opportunity to make tax-advantaged contributions has improved and the need to save for one’s own retirement has become more essential. For executives involved in shaping employee benefits, the conversation around retirement plan design is evolving.

The use of letters of wishes will continue to aid trustees so long as long-term trusts are used to avoid federal transfer taxes over several generations, and discretionary trusts continue to be effective to protect trust assets from the trust beneficiary’s creditors or in a divorce. Whether a Michigan court will consider or rely on letters of wishes remains unanswered, but these letters will continue to aid a trustee to better understand the trust creator’s purpose and intent with the trust where the trustee must implement subjective trust distribution provisions.

We deeply value the trust our clients put in us and understand the work we do for them is important. Our core values drive us to put their needs before ours. We get to know our clients on a unique level and build meaningful relationships with them. Our goal is to serve their families from generation to generation.

Mid-Year market update.

Looking for ways to gift education and medical expenses for children or grandchildren. A HEET generally works best for very wealthy individuals who have fully used their GSTT exemption.

The foundation for choosing the correct asset allocation starts with a simple question: when the time comes, how much money will you need to draw out of your portfolio on an annual basis?

Wealth 3.0 seeks to focus on the role of the beneficiary’s personal and skill development as the central goal of the estate planning trust, by using wealth as a vehicle to learn, or to intentionally create conditions where the trust beneficiary can thrive with the wealth held in the trust. Succinctly stated, Wealth 3.0 supports, rather than inhibits, the beneficiary’s engagement, education, and growth, with the goal of creating conditions where the beneficiary can thrive with wealth.

A 401(k) plan is one of the most popular retirement savings tools and can be a powerful way to attract talent. However, to maintain the plan’s tax-advantage status and ensure it benefits employees fairly, the IRS requires annual compliance testing.

So, how can you protect yourself? Here are just a few tips.

Set up strong unique passwords.
Enable account alerts (bank login attempts, new device logins, etc.).
Never enter personal details or PINs from links or messages you didn’t initiate yourself.
Be suspicious of urgent messages pretending to be from an entity you conduct business with, especially when asked to enter a code or provide personal information.
Social engineers rely on urgency. Pause before you react. Verify the request and sender before replying. Adopt a mindset of informed skepticism.
Avoid oversharing on social media.

Just five months into 2025, the global economic landscape has shifted from the cautious optimism observed at the start of the year. A flurry of tariff implementations throughout April and May has disrupted international trade. While some trade deals are emerging, the broader landscape remains uncertain, forcing businesses and governments worldwide to navigate unfamiliar waters. The markets will keep a close eye on the pace and scope of trade deals in the coming months – particularly on the 18 countries with which the U.S. has significant economic ties.

As interest in cryptocurrency continues to grow, so too does the number of scams targeting investors—including retirees and high-net-worth individuals exploring digital assets. If you or someone you love is curious about this emerging space, it’s critical to stay informed and cautious.

Guidelines for Avoiding the Uncapping of Michigan Property Taxes When Transferring the Family Cottage

Without question, if there are ‘financial planning commandments,’ one of them would be “Don’t miss out on free money,” pointing to the fact that employees should make sure they capitalize on any employer match from their retirement plan. Widely considered to be the largest benefit of workplace retirement plans, employer contributions specifically matching contributions provide an incentive for those saving toward retirement to prioritize their plans over IRAs and the like.

Recency bias can lead to poor decision making in markets and investments by ignoring long-term trends and sound analysis. Extreme speculation can lead to unsustainable prices, irrational behavior, and poor long-term outcomes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every industry, and wealth management is no exception. Once limited to rudimentary automation tools, AI has evolved into a sophisticated asset that now drives efficiency, personalization, and deeper insights across the investment landscape.

Market volatility has surged following the announcement and rapid modifications of sweeping U.S. tariff policies that were rolled out in early April. Tariffs are complex, intersecting economics, politics, and global supply chains in ways that challenge intuition. This article seeks to outline the policy shifts, market reactions, economic forecasts, and the path forward. We will begin where it all started: Liberation Day.

In sum, there are many more bodily disposition options than just cremation or burial. The point is, do you want to leave this decision to your Funeral Representative? That person, if a family member or heir, may not want to spend much money out of the probate estate for a fancy funeral and expensive burial casket which simply depletes their inheritance. Or, that person might carry a grudge postmortem and use their power to dispose of the cadaver to ‘get even’ or with a perverse or sick sense of humor.
It is your body, and it should be your choice how your cadaver should be disposed of on your death.

As one ages, it is important to think about and plan for the future including a situation where you may not be able to remain fully independent. This is not a fun “what if” scenario, in terms of planning, but it is one deserving your attention. If you have children, you may think you are […]

At the end of the day, money is just a tool, nothing more, nothing less. Studies show that most people will spend about 80% of their lifetime earnings over the course of their lives, reminding us that money is meant to move, not to be clutched tightly. It’s neutral by nature, not good, not bad. Its role is to serve you, not to define you. The moment money starts shaping your identity or sense of self-worth, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. The real purpose of money is freedom – the freedom to live by your values, to chase your passions and to make choices without fear holding you back. When you see money for what it really is, you realize the goal isn’t just to have more, it’s to allow you to focus on the people, experiences and dreams that matter most.

The U.S. retirement system is a complex blend of Social Security benefits, private employer-sponsored benefit plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s, and individual investment accounts like Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)s. This complexity often leads to scrutiny and criticism, which begs the question: Is the criticism based on fact or fiction? The media and academia often present […]