“Can I Pitch You Something?”
How to respond without risking your relationship. You may know this scenario well: An acquaintance corners you at a party and launches into a pitch about why you should invest in their new venture. Perhaps you are truly intrigued and want to consider the opportunity. Or maybe you’ve been burned by “investing” in a friend’s […]
3 Things to Consider When Buying International Assets
Expert advice for making sure your global financial investments are secure. The recent passing of international celebrity Ozzy Osbourne was devastating to his fans, but estate and trust lawyers probably had an added reaction of wondering whether or not he had his estate set up properly. Osbourne most likely owned property in his native UK […]
A Pathway to Global Mobility Through Strategic Investment
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa could be your family’s ticket to dual residency. The idea of having another country to decamp to—either for a change or scenery, new cultural immersion, or for the peace of mind that comes with flexibility—is increasingly attractive. While many countries around the world offer some sort of investment-based residency, […]
Hidden Fees and Hidden Agendas
Who’s benefiting the most from your investments? Many investors choose their financial advisor based on a personal or professional connection. If you’re like most people, you’ve likely stayed with that advisor for years because you trust them, appreciate their guidance, and your portfolio may have even performed well. But even trusted relationships benefit from a […]
Balancing Principles and Performance When Investing
Key considerations for those investing with environmental impact in mind. If you’ve ever felt tension between your investment holdings and your personal values, you’re not alone. Fortunately, doing good doesn’t have to mean sacrificing returns. Most high-net-worth individuals still approach investing from a strictly performance-based perspective. They’re not necessarily looking for portfolios that mirror their […]
Re-Visiting Roth Conversions
A shifting landscape for retirement and estate planning. Planning for Roth conversions has long been a staple in year-end tax planning. Roth conversions involve converting a tax-deferred account, such as a 401(k) or an individual retirement account (“IRA”), into a Roth account. By doing so, any tax-deferred amounts, including principal and associated earnings, are converted […]
The Leadership Imperative
Identifying and onboarding your next-generation executive. A role in the family business isn’t necessarily a birthright. It is, however, a responsibility, and one that requires careful consideration on both sides. It’s possible your children don’t have the same talents and ambitions as you, but they may bring other interests and skills to the table. More […]
Plan to Give
Charitable giving strategies in the wake of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This second and more significant limitation curtails the tax benefit of deductions for filers in the 37% bracket to 35%. Filers who donate an amount equal to their highest taxed income may unpleasantly discover they still owe residual tax. In addition, this limitation […]
A Junior Board Helps Continue a Family Foundation’s Legacy
Next-gen philanthropy is about more than just giving money away. Philanthropy is about helping others and offering invaluable funding to support communities and causes. With a family foundation, it’s also about preserving a legacy and bringing family members together in the name of a shared cause or purpose. The style and look of a family foundation varies, and […]
Family Philanthropy Benefits Givers in Surprising Ways — We’ve Seen It Happen
Last year’s National Nonprofit Day was a welcome reminder of the significant impact philanthropic activities can have on communities and the world. But at Whittier Trust we have also witnessed how helping families engage with philanthropy, whether by establishing a nonprofit, a family foundation or forming a philanthropic strategy, can significantly transform family dynamics and relationships, forging and strengthening bonds […]