Articles Library

Authored by: Brian W. Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® In a significant update for estate planning and wealth management, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced an increase in the estate and gift tax exemption for 2025. The exemption amount will rise to $13.99 million per person, up from $13.61 million in 2024. Additionally, the annual exclusion gift tax limit will rise to $19,000 per individual up…

Contributed by: Tom Kelley, MBA As an executive in the oil and gas industry, particularly for leading companies like ConocoPhillips, Exxon, or BP, strategic financial planning is essential to managing your wealth effectively. One powerful tool that may be available to you is Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA), a tax strategy that could significantly enhance your retirement distribution plans. In this…

Contributed by: Austin Manning, CFP For high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), effective wealth management requires more than just growing investments. Preserving wealth often hinges on mitigating tax liabilities, ensuring that more of your assets can be allocated toward personal goals, family needs, and legacy planning. With increasing complexity in the tax code, proactively adopting tax-efficient strategies…

Contributed by: Pijus Bulvinas, CFP As summer approaches, so does a subtle shift in mindset. For many families, business owners, and executives, the season offers a temporary pause – a time for travel, leisure, and reflection. Yet this shift in pace also presents a unique opportunity to recalibrate your financial plan. While the warm months invite relaxation, they also reward those who remain intentional…

Authored by: Nicholas Brown, CFA®, CFP® Introduction: From Campaign Rhetoric to Legislative Reality On May 22nd, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a sweeping legislative package championed by President Donald Trump. This 1,100-page bill aims to make permanent many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and introduces new tax policies,…

Contributed by: Austin Manning, CFP For high-net-worth individuals, achieving financial success is only the beginning. Preserving and growing wealth, mitigating risk, and ensuring a lasting legacy require a strategic and customized approach to financial planning. While cookie cutter solutions, AI tools, and robo-investor support may work for the average investor, affluent individuals often require…

Contributed by: Briak Sak, CFP, CLU, ChFC When clients begin to think more intentionally about their legacy, few tools offer the flexibility, control, and tax advantages of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, or ILIT. Often overlooked in general financial planning conversations, the ILIT is a sophisticated estate planning solution that can address multiple objectives: preserving wealth across generations,…

The media cycle is relentless. From morning talk shows to 24-hour business news, there’s a constant drumbeat of market commentary that can rattle even the most seasoned investors. On one screen, there’s a warning about an impending recession. On another, a pundit claims this year’s “must-own” stock is already doubling in value. For investors trying to protect and grow their wealth, this information…

Contributed by: Pijus Bulvinas, CFP Financial literacy has long been a cornerstone of individual and family success. Yet, as financial markets grow more complex and life expectancy increases, equipping the next generation with financial knowledge has never been more critical. This isn’t a matter of teaching children to save their allowance; it’s about preparing them to navigate an intricate web of…