Financial Planning Briefs

12.04.2019

Proactive Estate Planning

 

Successful Planning Requires More Than Paperwork

At Appleton, we are committed to comprehensive, personalized estate planning and stand ready to help our clients and their families manage what can be a confusing and emotionally challenging process.

Many individuals and families fail to adequately protect their assets, realize their wealth transfer goals, minimize taxation, or achieve philanthropic objectives by not taking prudent estate planning steps.

Furthermore, a sizeable percentage of wealthy families have not even received estate planning advice, or do not feel they need such advice.  In our view, this can create potential legal, personal and family vulnerabilities during times of stress that could have otherwise been avoided.

 

What Factors Should I Consider?

Estate planning is an inherently personal process, as every individual and family is unique.  There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach, and reviewing your estate plan documentation with an advisor is highly recommended.

Other important estate planning steps include reviewing and updating beneficiary designations for insurance policies and retirement accounts, considering filing a homestead exemption, and documenting financial assets and other important memoranda.

 

 

Our Recommendations

First and foremost, we advise clients to periodically work with their Appleton Portfolio Manager in reviewing estate plans and potential needs.  This can help ensure that plans meet your goals, whatever they may be, remain up to date, and optimally reflect your personal wishes.  Life is not static, nor should be your estate planning process.

 

How can we help you?  Please contact:
Jim O’Neil, Managing Director, 617-338-0700 x775
[email protected]
www.www.appletonpartners.com

 

This commentary reflects the opinions of Appleton Partners based on information that we believe to be reliable. It is intended for informational purposes only, and not to suggest any specific performance or results, nor should it be considered investment, financial, tax or other professional advice. It is not an offer or solicitation. Views regarding the economy, securities markets or other specialized areas, like all predictors of future events, cannot be guaranteed to be accurate and may result in economic loss to the investor. While the Adviser believes the outside data sources cited to be credible, it has not independently verified the correctness of any of their inputs or calculations and, therefore, does not warranty the accuracy of any third-party sources or information.  Specific securities identified and described may or may not be held in portfolios managed by the Adviser and do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold, or recommended for advisory clients. The reader should not assume that investments in the securities identified and discussed are, were or will be profitable. Any securities identified were selected for illustrative purposes only, as a vehicle for demonstrating investment analysis and decision making. Investment process, strategies, philosophies, allocations, performance composition, target characteristics and other parameters are current as of the date indicated and are subject to change without prior notice. Registration with the SEC should not be construed as an endorsement or an indicator of investment skill acumen or experience. Investments in securities are not insured, protected or guaranteed and may result in loss of income and/or principal.
"Are you or a family member the operator or manager of a Limited Liability Corporation (“LLC”), or a general partner of a Limited Partnership (“LP”)? Have you ever created an LLC to hold real estate or other investment assets? If so, new, more stringent reporting requirements brought on by the Corporate Transparency Act warrant attention..."
"As we begin a new year, a few changes to 2023 retirement account contribution limits are noteworthy. An overview of these changes follows, although consultation with your Portfolio Manager or a tax professional is recommended before considering what options are right for you."
"Appleton has always believed that achieving a client’s unique investment objectives demands active collaboration and a willingness to customize portfolios."