In the short time of four weeks earlier this year, we had seven clients pass away. When I shared that with a friend, he stopped me mid-sentence. “Seven?” he said. “How can you stand that? Isn’t that incredibly depressing? Your clients… their families… they’re just gone.” It’s a fair question. And it made me pause. […]
7 Deaths! – Two Possible Outcomes Read More »
For centuries, sailors have observed a curious and powerful phenomenon known as the Seventh Wave. From a nautical perspective, the theory holds that waves often arrive in sets, with each wave building in size and energy—until the seventh wave rises above the rest. Larger, stronger, and more forceful, the seventh wave has long been respected
The Seventh Wave: Recognizing the Moment and Riding It to Freedom Read More »
It has often been said that necessity is the mother of invention. When people face real problems—especially those with emotional, financial, or family consequences—creativity is no longer optional. It becomes essential. In my experience, true ingenuity is rarely born from convenience or comfort. It is born from need. That principle has guided the evolution of
Necessity, Ingenuity, and the Power of Having a Plan Read More »
Thomas Edison famously said that success is “99% perspiration and 1% genius.” It is one of those quotes that sounds simple, almost obvious, yet becomes more profound the longer you live and work. In a culture that celebrates breakthrough ideas and overnight success stories, Edison’s words are a reminder that inspiration is only the spark.
99% Perspiration, 1% Genius: The Real Work Behind Lasting Success Read More »
As an estate-planning professional who uses a multidisciplinary approach—legal, tax, investment, insurance, long-term care, and funeral planning—I can tell you one universal truth: Most people over age 55 think they have a plan.Most don’t. They may have investments, they may have an advisor, they may have a will—but a plan? A real, coordinated plan that
Four Questions Every Retiree Should Ask Their Financial Advisor—Before It’s Too Late Read More »
After decades of working with retirees in senior services, one thing has become clear: the most successful estate plans are built by multidisciplinary teams. Attorneys, CPAs, financial professionals, funeral directors, and long-term-care specialists each bring a different lens to the planning process. When these perspectives converge, opportunities appear—often in places families never expect. One tool
The Most Overlooked Estate Planning Tool for Retirees Read More »
After more than 25 years in Senior Services, I’ve observed countless reasons why individuals diligently earn, save, and grow their wealth. The primary and most fundamental reason is for Safety and security: providing for our families with stable housing, food, reliable healthcare, and the peace of mind that comes with financial stability. These are the
The Joy of Wealth: From Security to Generosity Read More »
As estate-planning professionals, we like to remind families that 80% of what we do is preparing for “if” something bad happens. Protecting assets, shielding against taxes, simplifying structures, and helping ensure the proper documents are in place are all built around uncertainty. But funeral planning isn’t an if.It is a when. And because of that,
Why Every Estate Plan Should Include Funeral Pre-Planning Read More »
As an estate planner and financial advisor, I spend a lot of time reminding people of something that sounds simple but is easy to forget: every headline feels like the end of the world when you’re living through it. A hurricane, a government shutdown, a political upheaval, a social movement, a war—each moment seems like
Headline News vs. Real Life: Why Staying the Course Still Wins Read More »
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of estate planning, it’s this: when it comes to building and keeping wealth, boring is beautiful. Not Instagram-boring, not beige-paint-boring, but the kind of predictable, steady, responsible “boring” that allows you to enjoy life without lying awake at night wondering how to cover next month’s credit card
Better Boring and Wealthy Than Flashy and Broke Read More »