Efficient Estate Planning After the Passing of a Parent
When a parent passes away, you may need to take on financial and legal responsibilities quickly. This can include securing bank accounts, managing bills and taxes and handling property or estate matters. Many of these tasks are time-sensitive and mistakes can create delays or added costs. A financial advisor can help review inherited assets, address… read more…
Pros and Cons of Claiming a College Student as a Dependent
Claiming a college student as a dependent can affect which education credits and tax benefits are available to the family and to the student. The outcome depends on factors such as income levels, financial support provided and eligibility for specific education-related tax credits. A financial advisor can help evaluate how different filing approaches affect tax… read more…
Recommendations That Advisors Can Give to Clients Now
When the economy feels uncertain and market volatility increases, it’s natural for your clients to have questions about what comes next. Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) report that 53% of their clients are cautious, while only 36% are optimistic, according to the CFP® Board’s 2026 CFP Professionals Financial Outlook Survey. What are financial advisors telling clients… read more…
Custodians for Independent Firms Who Need Ops and Marketing Help
Going independent has its benefits, including flexibility and freedom. Half of advisors who go independent choose to start their own registered investment advisor firm, according to a 2024 Schwab survey. If you follow this path, you’ll need a trusted RIA custodian to hold client assets. What’s the best custodian for small independent advisors needing ops… read more…
Editor's Picks
CFA vs. CFP®: Which Do You Need?
Chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP) are common certifications for individuals working in finance, namely financial advisors. These are designed to tell a client (or employer) that the holder has received education in certain types of financial… read more…
5 Tips for Choosing a Wealth Management Firm
Wealth management firms are all different, with their own specializations and services. As a result, the process for choosing a wealth manager is a very personal one. Wealth managers work closely together with their clients to identify financial goals and… read more…
What Is a Fee-Only Financial Planner?
If a financial planner, financial advisor or another type of financial professional is fee-only, that means they receive compensation solely from the fees clients pay for their services. They do not earn commissions for recommending certain products. A fee-only structure… read more…
Why First Homes Could Be Investment Properties
If you’re young and looking to purchase a new home to live in, you may want to consider turning it into an investment property. While most people wait until after they’ve bought their first or second home to begin investing in… read more…
Data Articles and Studies
States That Will Benefit Most From Trump Accounts – 2025 Study
American babies are now eligible to receive a $1,000 initial investment in a “Trump account” per new tax legislation. The money – which will be tied to the stock market, can be added to and cannot be used until the child turns 18 – gives each child some capability to fund certain activities as they… read more…
Where Alcohol Is Most and Least Popular – 2025 Study
Last year, Americans spent $228 billion on alcoholic beverages for private consumption, with the average adult spending $898 each. But cultural, social, geographic, demographic, and economic differences all contribute to the divergence of popularity of alcohol in each state. This may have resounding impacts on local communities, ranging all the way from contributions to their… read more…
Cities With the Highest and Lowest Property Tax Burdens – 2025 Study
Even after the mortgage is paid off, homeowners face ongoing property taxes across the United States. While senior citizens, owner-occupants, and other groups may receive preferential tax treatment in some jurisdictions, homeowners still pay anywhere from 1% to 10% of their income on property taxes. These taxes pay for local infrastructure and amenities – putting… read more…
Staying Home to Raise the Family? Here’s What the Working Spouse Needs to Earn – 2025 Study
While the cost of raising a young child can now reach over $40,000 in pre-tax income annually depending on where you live, many families find ways to mitigate some of the larger costs associated with parenthood. This often includes considerations around who’s going to work in the household, and whether young children will require paid… read more…
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