California Billionaire Tax Debate: Wealth Taxes May Be Coming
In recent news, Mark Zuckerberg is joining the California exodus of ultra-wealthy taxpayers and purchasing a home in Florida. The catalyst is California’s proposed 2026 Billionaire Tax Act, a ballot initiative that would introduce a state-level tax on net worth, effective January 2026. If the initiative makes the November ballot and passes, it would impose a one-time 5% tax on […]
Help! I’m Scared My College Student Won’t Be Able To Find a Job! Navigating the Class of 2026 Job Market
Recent headlines surrounding the “Class of 2026” have raised understandable concerns among parents and students alike that entry-level jobs are disappearing. Hiring outlooks for new graduates are being described as the weakest since the pandemic, prompting questions about whether the return on a costly degree may be delayed or diminished. These concerns are not isolated. […]
Could You Benefit from a Charitable Remainder Trust?
You may have encountered Charitable Remainder Trusts in conversations with others after a liquidity event or through tax professionals discussing strategies for managing large unrealized gains. In the appropriate situation, a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) can help address tax efficiency, income planning, and charitable objectives simultaneously. How a CRT Works A Charitable Remainder Trust is a split-interest trust funded with appreciated assets […]
Top Financial Planning Priorities for 2026: New Rules, New Risks
Last year, the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) preserved many key provisions of the federal tax code for individuals, including lower marginal income tax rates and a higher estate tax exemption. However, several planning rules have changed quietly. Provisions from recent legislation – most notably the SECURE 2.0 Act – are now taking […]
2026 Economic and Investment Outlook
Chief Economist Jeanette Garretty and Chief Investment Officer Stuart Katz break down 2025 and provide their outlook for 2026.
Why a Wealth Plan is the Ultimate Investment
In personal finance, conversations often center on strategies like Roth conversions or generation-skipping trusts. These tools can be useful in the right situations but using them without a broader framework is risky. The real risk isn’t missing a sophisticated strategy – it’s making decisions without a clear plan. That’s why we recommend starting with a wealth plan. A wealth plan provides structure and […]
Will ACA Plan Enrollees See Premium Relief Soon?
For households enrolled in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, the new year arrived with a sharp increase in monthly health insurance premiums. Why? Enhanced ACA subsidies expired on December 31, 2025. While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed last summer, introduced sweeping changes to the healthcare landscape, it did not explicitly cancel […]
I’m a Wealth Planner: Forget 2026 Market Forecasts and Focus on These 3 Goals for Financial Success
As published on Kiplinger We know the economy is unpredictable, geopolitical events can happen without warning, and markets will do what they do, no matter who predicts what. Here’s how to focus on what you can control. Every January, the financial news landscape is flooded with two things: Articles about canceling unused gym memberships and […]
OBBBA in 2026: What Matters and What Doesn’t
With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 now fully in effect, the tax and planning framework for 2026 and beyond is clearer. For the ultra wealthy, it’s a boon. For the high wealth taxpayers, the outcome is more mixed. The widely feared expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act did not occur: lower income tax rates and elevated […]
New Year’s Resolutions These Financial Advisors Want You to Make
Mallon FitzPatrick, Head of Wealth Planning at Robertson Stephens, was featured in Barron’s, sharing why today’s shifting job market demands larger cash buffers and greater spending discipline. As career transitions lengthen, he recommends planning for up to 18 months of liquidity and guarding against lifestyle creep—one of the most persistent threats to long-term wealth, regardless […]
Should I Open a Trump Account for My Child?
Between the headlines about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Michael Dell’s $6.25 billion donation, many have been asking whether these new accounts should be opened for children or grandchildren. Below is a straightforward look at how the accounts work and where they may fit into a broader wealth transfer plan. A Trump Account is a […]
Could an Unknown Relative Ruin Your Estate Plan?
DNA services such as 23andMe have made it far more common for biological children – sometimes entirely unknown to the family – to surface after a parent’s death and assert inheritance rights. While this remains an unlikely scenario, it is more plausible today than ever before. Many state laws rely heavily on biological relationships, especially […]