Practice Areas

Life Events

How we can help...

Each phase of life has its unique challenges, and some of those are financial. Circumstances and needs change over time, each different and complicated in its own way. Whether you’re trying to decide on a critical retirement decision, planning on becoming a Florida resident or caring for your parents in their later years, you’ll be able to make better choices if you’re well-informed. Let us help you to build an understanding of the various challenges and opportunities you’re likely to face in the years to come.

A 49-year-old going through divorce needed to reevaluate her financial future with new, realistic assumptions.  Working with us, she estimated her future needs and got organized.  Our Certified Financial Planner™ built a long-term financial plan which allowed her to afford raising her teenagers, and eventually, to retire comfortably.  The client’s divorce lawyer utilized the financial plan projections to bolster our client’s demand for robust alimony and child support payments.      We are experienced in helping clients that have faced the unfortunate turbulence that divorce can bring, and the financial decisions that need to be made – we understand how best to navigate what could be some of the most important decisions of your life.

If you are facing divorce, we can help bring clarity to your future with a sound financial plan.  Call us, and set up an introductory meeting to learn more.

People relocating from high-tax states seek information on establishing Florida residency. We are here to help. Although we are not attorneys, we are an experienced resource for the many advantages of Florida residency. For new Floridians who wish to update their wills, trusts, or other estate documents according to Florida law, we refer them to a board-certified Florida lawyer. Importantly, once our client’s new legal documents are drawn up, our team will assist directly in re-titling applicable investment accounts, annuities, or other investments, as needed to ensure your plan is properly in place.
 

Northern states like New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Michigan are losing thousands of residents every year to the Sunshine State.  Getting your residency established in Florida correctly is essential if you want to leave your high-tax state behind.  We have more than two decades of experience advising newcomers regarding Florida residency.  Call us to set up a meeting, phone call, or video conference.

A 30-year veteran of Florida’s largest utility company sought our financial planning advice when she learned the company would offer key executives ‘golden parachute’ retirement packages. Working with our CFP® founder, the executive determined she could retire securely under several potential scenarios. The analysis gave her the facts she needed to respond to the retirement offer confidently. Clients can engage the firm’s expertise for short term financial planning mandates or the long term investment management integrated with financial planning.
 

Senior executives have unique financial circumstances that are specific to their corporate benefits package.  This is especially true when a ‘golden parachute’ or other exit package is part of a retirement scenario.  We help busy people navigate this complexity, and help reduce the stress it can cause.  Contact us to discuss your situation.

 
A couple from New York sold their largest asset for a $6,000,000 capital gain. Prior to the sale, we referred them to a Florida estate attorney who established their Florida residency and created revocable trusts to avoid probate and insure financial privacy. We worked closely with the couple’s CPA to evaluate various tax scenarios and we designed a financial plan to secure their needs for a smooth transition into retirement. We built a customized portfolio of dividend stocks and bonds that adhered to the couple’s socially responsible investment philosophy and risk tolerance for both their short- and long-term objectives.
 

If you are planning to sell a strategic financial asset, talk to us first.  Our experience, combined with your tax advisor’s input, will help maximize the after-tax proceeds of your asset sale.  To discuss your specific situation, contact us at 772-888-3757

 

Hurricane Sandy destroyed the waterfront homes for two of our best Northern clients. For them to avoid selling taxable stocks to pay for major repairs, we advised both couples to pledge their eligible investments and establish securities-backed credit lines. Unlike their neighbors who were forced to sell assets or wait for insurance payments, our clients were able to act quickly and secure general contractors to begin rebuilding because they had cash readily available from their credit lines. We advise many clients in hurricane-prone regions to consider a stand-by line of credit before the storm.

After a hurricane, you want to be among the first to schedule contractors to complete your repairs.  To make sure you have ample resources available, contact us to perform a hurricane liquidity assessment.

A 61-year-old retired engineer from Connecticut owned $1.1 million of Microsoft stock with an unrealized gain of $850,000. He and his wife had strong charitable intentions, but they also needed more income for retirement. On advice, they created a Charitable Remainder Trust and donated their Microsoft stock to the CRT. The stock was sold, and we advised on diversifying the $1.1 million to produce an income stream for the rest of their joint lives. The husband subsequently passed, and his spouse continues to enjoy annual income for life through our planning. The couple’s favorite charities will receive the remainder of the trust upon her death. We actively engage our clients in conversations about their charitable plans as part of our own passion to make the world a better place.
 

We believe philanthropy is much more than writing a check or donating stock.  It is important to have a strategy for gifts of significance.  If you are planning to donate $20,000 or more this year, contact us to make sure you are getting  the maximum benefit from your generosity.

 

According to LendEdu.com, a four-year private university education now costs an average of $220,366.  If you are facing high education costs for your children, or are helping education your grandchildren, talk to our planners about the most tax-advantageous ways to approach college funding. 

For corporate executives, personal wealth is frequently tied to performance of the company’s stock.  Every year, executives make unforced errors in the management of their stock options, their company stock accumulation plan, or employer stock inside a 401k plan account.  Avoid these costly mistakes by contacting us for an assessment of your specific situation.  We will guide you through the maze of employer stock decisions you must make.