Articles Library

Contributed by: Timothy B. Smith, CFP® For many affluent families, philanthropy is not simply an act of generosity; it is a reflection of purpose, legacy, and responsibility. As wealth grows and financial priorities evolve, traditional charitable giving alone often feels insufficient. Increasingly, investors are turning toward impact investing — the pursuit of measurable social and environmental outcomes…

Contributed by: Pijus Bulvinas, CFP® Every few years, the headlines return with a familiar sense of urgency: “Government Shutdown Looms.” For many Americans, this signals little more than a political standoff. But for others such as federal employees, contractors, and business owners with government clients, it can mean something far more personal: income disruption, operational uncertainty, and financial…

Authored by: Brian W. Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® For successful business owners and wealthy families, few tools offer the combination of control, tax efficiency, and estate planning flexibility that a Family Limited Partnership (FLP) can provide. But with that power comes complexity—and more than a few misconceptions. Used properly, FLPs enable families to retain control over significant assets, compress…

Contributed by: Dale Shaw, CFP®, RICP® Introduction: The Illusion of Liquidity Wealth is not always synonymous with flexibility. For many high-net-worth families—particularly those with significant holdings in private equity, real estate, or closely held businesses—net worth often includes assets that are valuable on paper but illiquid in practice. When markets are calm and capital is abundant, this…

For business owners who may have worked for decades to build up their companies, deciding to sell the business can be an emotional process. But it’s also a practical one where savvy business owners need to find ways to minimize the tax implications of selling a business to benefit themselves and other stakeholders. There are a number of strategies, particularly during the planning stage and the sales…

Contributed by: Nicholas Brown, CFA, CFP® Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) have long been a cornerstone of charitable giving strategies for families and individuals who value both philanthropy and tax efficiency. At Granite Harbor Advisors, we’ve previously written about how DAFs can be used as a flexible vehicle for managing charitable contributions, especially in high-income years or as part of a long-term…

Granite Harbor Advisors FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2025 Granite Harbor Advisors Welcomes Derek Taylor to Lead New Private Markets Vertical Houston, Texas — Wednesday, October 8, 2025 — Granite Harbor Advisors, an independent Registered Investment Adviser with more than $600 million in assets under management, today announced the appointment of Derek Taylor as Managing Partner to launch Granite…

Contributed by: Timothy Smith, CFP® As the year draws to a close, many families and business owners take time to reflect on their values and how they can make a meaningful impact through charitable giving. For those with Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), this season presents a valuable opportunity—not only to support important causes but also to optimize tax efficiency before year-end deadlines arrive. Yet,…

Contributed by: Austin Manning, CFP® Business owners who have invested years of effort into building successful enterprises eventually face a difficult but essential question: what happens to the business when an owner departs, retires, or passes away? The answer often lies in a well-crafted buy-sell agreement. These agreements establish a clear plan for the transfer of ownership and can prevent disputes,…