By Marc C. Shaffer Time for another international travel adventure! To read more on my philosophy of prioritizing travel in my life, visit I PLAN, So That I Can. December 26, 2019 – January 11, 2020 Patagonia—one of the top trekking destinations in the world!...
We talk a lot about estate planning because taking steps to help protect your estate is a key financial choice. With proper strategies, you may be able to maximize your opportunities and help manage stress and confusion for your loved ones. Yet, approximately 50% of 50 year olds don’t have a will in place — despite the fact that almost 60% of Americans plan to leave an inheritance.
Taking time to create estate strategies not only helps you put your financial house in order, but can also save you money. By documenting your wishes and goals, you create a legal framework that the courts, your executor, and your loved ones can follow when settling your estate. Without these strategies in place, your family risks going through a lengthy and expensive process — which could alter any wishes you had for your legacy.
You love everything about being gainfully employed. But you’re getting close to retirement. What do you do? Should you wait until you’re 70? Retire at 62? Or continue working, but fewer hours, or maybe, in a different, less-demanding position?
In this article, we will explore some of your choices. We will take a look at some of the available options that may fit your circumstances and lifestyle, while also considering the condition of your health during your later working years.
Maintaining a sound financial life also means taking steps to help protect your important records. Was tax season a paperwork mess for you? Have you struggled with finding important documents when you need them? Below are three questions to consider as you prepare your organization system for tax and legal documents for the upcoming year and beyond:
By Michael J. Searcy
Many years ago, I was an expert witness in an arbitration hearing regarding a financial matter. That experience changed me and changed the way I do business… I realized that, while there is a rightful place for mandatory arbitration clauses, that place is not in your financial planning or investment management contract. It’s simply not fair to the consumer.
By Marc Shaffer
As a financial planner, I am an advocate for planning and coaching that helps you get the most out of life. For the first 35 years of my life, I steered my own ship toward my destinations of choice. I would call myself a driven individual with personal goals that I liked to achieve each year, and I always had the freedom to make those happen exactly how I chose.
When I got married, new life goals were developed, and I decided a life coach could really be beneficial into making the transition from individual to couple. I wanted to make sure I was as strong in my marriage as I was before.
Beautiful vistas, glorious landscapes, sunsets, quaint towns and exciting adventures. The sights and sounds of traveling. Are they lost once you retire?
Retirement generally means transitioning to a fixed income, but the image of fixing yourself in a rocking chair on the front porch is outdated. Opportunities for travel and writing your own next chapter are abundantly available, if you plan in advance to make these things happen.
There comes a point, after living a robust and independent life, that a little help may be in order. You or a loved one may need some assistance with doing the everyday things that were once second nature and you may be considering a transition to a comfortable and affordable facility to suit your needs and desires.
Some people choose to start planning this phase of life early, for a few reasons:
By Michael J. Searcy
One of my favorite things to help clients do is prepare and maintain a roadmap for themselves and their survivors, thereby knowing we’ve helped achieve continuity for them and their loved ones. I never want someone to feel unprepared or unable to function after the loss or incapacitation of a spouse, so I work to initiate thought and conversation to keep all parties engaged in the planning process.
But if I were gone? Not only could they turn to our entire team, since each client is never working with a single person, but they would also be aware that our succession plan that has been in place for several years means there are four other principals continuing to lead the firm.
We are pleased to announce the promotion of Ryan Brooke to Principal of the firm. Ryan joined our group through our Internship Program and used that time to evidence his commitment, knowledge and desire to help families find financial freedom. He has continually grown those efforts throughout his years with our firm, and we are delighted to have him as part of our Executive Team. We believe his new role as Principal will enhance our firm’s continued commitment to our clients’ success.
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