Connecticut is a beautiful, culturally rich state and a sought-after retirement location, but its tax and estate laws make it cost-prohibitive for many retirees. CFP® certificant Allison Donaldson shares what you should consider before deciding...
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It’s official. For 2018, the estate and gift tax exemption is $5.6 million per individual, up from $5.49 million in 2017. That means an individual can leave $5.6 million to heirs and pay no federal...
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Animal, Mineral or Vegetable? Grouping similar things into a descriptive category helps us manage complexity. The field of investment management has three major asset categories: Cash – includes short term deposits at banks, and short...
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Now, more than ever, we are bombarded with headlines, market news, social media commentary and other “noise,” all of which can stir up anxiety about the future and tempt us to make investment decisions that...
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Diminished capacity of a loved one is a multi-faceted issue. There are practical, emotional, safety and certainly financial impacts. Changes are often subtle but may still be evident to family or even non-family members. Clues...
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Do you remember family stories about your great grandparents’ arrival in the US at age 18 with little money, few skills, and only hope and ambition carrying them to the “land of opportunity?” Over time,...
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By some estimates, a family with a special needs child will spend as much as an additional $1.4 million over the child’s lifetime, compared to a family without special needs. To cover these expenses, most...
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I am back from a family vacation in Japan which renewed my appreciation of the beauty of simple design. Why have a dozen flowers, when only one is needed? The trip reminded me of a...
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Deciding to divorce is already an emotionally challenging process. What can you expect to happen in the first few months? The first step is that your case has to be filed with the court, and...
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My 27 year-old daughter, Heather, is embarking on a career change – the perfect time for a financial check in. Like many of today’s millennials, Heather didn’t receive a formal financial planning education, so we...
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