Articles Library

Contributed by: Brian Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® For wealthy families, business owners, and executives—particularly those with complex estate plans—trusts are often a key component of multigenerational wealth transfer, asset protection, and tax minimization strategies. Yet too often, trusts are created, then left dormant or mismanaged. As a result, what was once a well-designed structure can quietly unravel. At…

Contributed by: Timothy Smith, CFP® Economic uncertainty has a way of making even the most values-driven investors pause. When markets are volatile, inflation is persistent, and headlines feel relentlessly negative, charitable giving and impact investing are often the first areas questioned. Should generosity wait for more stable times? Does impact investing still make sense when returns feel less…

Authored by: Derek J. Taylor For high net worth investors, portfolio construction extends well beyond traditional public markets. While public equities and fixed income remain foundational, they are increasingly insufficient on their own to address the complexity of modern wealth objectives—capital preservation, long-term growth, income generation, and downside resilience across market cycles. At Granite…

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…

Getting Started with Private Markets as part of a Comprehensive Investment Strategy for Accredited Investors. Private Market Investing has become increasingly popular over the years as investors seek higher returns in a low-interest-rate environment and an alternative to the daily volatility of the public markets1. Private Markets can be a profitable venture for the right investor. While investing…

Contributed by: Sam Gagne As 2025 draws to a close, many successful business owners are turning their attention to year-end financials; finalizing tax positions, assessing profitability, and preparing reports for key stakeholders. Amidst the routine financial housekeeping, there lies a more strategic and often overlooked priority: business succession planning. Succession planning is not a once in a…

Contributed by: Dale Shaw, CFP®, RICP® As the final quarter of 2025 draws to a close, households with significant income face a familiar but often underused opportunity: proactive year-end tax planning. While the demands of business, family, and holiday schedules can understandably take center stage, those in higher tax brackets often stand to benefit the most from timely financial decisions made before…

Contributed by: Austin Manning, CFP® Why Early Year-End Planning Matters for High-Net-Worth Families The most effective year-end planning does not begin in December. It starts weeks earlier, when families still have the space to evaluate their financial picture in a thoughtful and coordinated way. Affluent families, business owners, and corporate executives understand that their financial lives are…

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…