Planning for Success October’s Edition: Single Individuals without children need an Estate Plan too!     More and more people are delaying, if not totally foregoing a life that involves marriage and parenting.  For many young adults, staying single and childless is simply a matter of choice.  Regardless of the reason, as more individuals opt for non-traditional lifestyles, the number of single childless households is likely to steadily increase in the coming years.  Most do not take estate planning as seriously as they should.  If you are single without any children, you may not think you need to worry about developing an estate plan, but the reality is that it can be more important for those individuals to have a proper estate plan in place.       If you are single, you face a myriad of potential estate planning complications that are not an issue for those who are married with children. ...

Market volatility can be quite stressful, especially for those who are near retirement or have recently retired.  By the same token, market declines can create favorable tax planning opportunities, which include the ability to maximize Roth conversions at a discount.  Before deciding to convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, it is important to understand the differences.  Both types of IRAs are designed to help you save for retirement while providing a tax advantage, but they do so in different ways.  With a traditional IRA since contributions are pre-tax, you pay the tax upon withdrawal.  For a Roth IRA, contributions are post-tax, thus future withdrawals are tax-free.  Notably, a key benefit of a Roth IRA is that they do not require taking minimum distributions, unlike a traditional IRA in which required minimum distributions are enforced upon obtaining age 72.    While individuals at any income can complete Roth IRA conversions,...

Planning for Success: What kind of legacy do you want to leave?   Aside from direct, out-of-pocket gifts, or gifts made through your IRA, there are three primary vehicles that can be utilized to achieve your charitable giving goals.  We are here to educate and guide you in selecting an appropriate solution. Before reviewing charitable giving vehicles, it is important to review the IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution. A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can be made from an Individual Retirement Account (Traditional, Rollover, Inherited, SEP and SIMPLE) to a charity or charities and be excluded from income up to $100,000 annually for those 70 ½ or older.  These qualified distributions can count as all or part of your required minimum distribution, but they are not taxable to you and are not added to your adjusted gross income; qualified distributions are not deductible on your personal income tax return.  Keeping your taxable income...

Are you financially prepared for the next hurricane? It’s hard to believe that we have officially entered hurricane season.  There’s no time like the present to review insurance policies to make sure the appropriate coverage is in place and that your household items are properly documented.  Preparing early while you have the time will reduce any potential stress or panic when a storm is imminent.  While most of know what supplies we need to stock up on before a destructive storm, ensuring we are prepared financially is not always top of mind.  Do you have adequate insurance on your home, property, and business?  Are these insurance carriers financially secure?  Does your business have a continuity plan in place? While standard homeowner’s insurance covers the structure of your house for disasters, it is important to understand the elements that could affect your insurance payout after a hurricane and adjust your policies accordingly....

Divorces in general can be quite complicated and messy.  When celebrities are involved, divorces can quickly become viral sensations as celebrities deepest and darkest secrets are broadcasted across the globe.  Not to mention the aftermath to their career as these public grievances can forever curtail their career and public perception.  As Benjamin Franklin famously stated, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Exhibits like these can easily be avoided with a Prenuptial and Confidentiality Agreement.        As most of us have heard, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are back in the court room for a multimillion-dollar defamation trial.  The front page $50 million defamation lawsuit Johnny Depp brought against his ex-wife, oddly resembles their divorce proceedings.  It is hard to believe that the couple has spent more time together battling in court over the last 6 years compared to their brief marriage of just 16 months. ...

There’s a myriad of updates coming out of Washington.  Here’s what you need to know to stay up to date so we can plan accordingly.  The U.S. House of Representatives approved House Resolution 2954- commonly referred to as Secure Act 2.0.  The next step for the legislation is for the House and Senate to work together to reconcile the bill, which has strong bipartisan support.  A final passage is expected in the fourth quarter of 2022.  It is important to note that there are items in the bill that could potentially impact taxpayers as early as this year.   Here are the key planning provisions: ·         Expansion of the IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions o   Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) can be made from an Individual Retirement Account to a charity and be excluded from income up to $100,000 annually for those over 70 ½.  o   These Qualified Charitable Distributions can count as...

Planning for Success: 2021 IRA Contribution ✓ Tax Day is swiftly approaching with this year’s deadline of April 18 th .  While this time of year can be daunting, we are here to make it a little bit easier.   There is still time to contribute to your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) for the 2021 tax year.  You have until April 18 th to contribute the maximum amount to either a traditional IRA or Roth IRA for it to be eligible as a 2021 tax year contribution.  It is important that your custodian appropriately marks the tax year of contribution.  For instance, if you have not contributed or reached the maximum contribution amount for 2021, you can identify your contribution for either the 2021 or 2022 tax year.  It would be wise to mark the contribution as 2021, so you will still be able to contribute for the 2022 tax year. ...

Inflation Coupled with Geopolitical Uncertainty There has never been a time in history in which investors were not distracted or influenced by geopolitical uncertainty, macro environment risks, or pandemic; but how about the combination of all three?  With economies around the world already feeling the effects of soaring inflation, the timing of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could not have occurred at a worse time.  Globally, supply chains are sluggishly normalizing from bottlenecks induced by the pandemic and with rising input costs this will only push rising prices into overdrive.  Essentially, the Russia and Ukraine conflict is pouring fuel onto an already well-kindled fire and with a full tank it is easy for things to get out of hand.  While energy prices may rise, there are ways it can be offset to limit the potential economic disruptions.  The U.S appears close to a nuclear deal with Iran which would bring much needed...

Planning for Success: Have you Considered a Donor Advised Fund to Achieve your Philanthropic Goals? As you contemplate your estate planning and leaving a legacy, you may want to recognize and give to charitable organizations or philanthropic causes that have made an impact on you.  Perhaps, you may want to encourage the beneficiaries of your estate to continue the legacy of charitable giving that you have maintained during your lifetime.  There are several options available to accomplish your charitable giving goals in your estate plan, and a simple and effective solution is with a donor advised fund.     Over the past decade, nonprofit fundraising has been rapidly transformed by new ways to give.  Donor advised funds are a popular way for donors to support nonprofits of all sizes.  Most people believe donor advised funds to be vehicles that streamline charitable giving during their lifetimes.  While this is certainly true, a donor...

2022 STRATEGIC TAX PLANNING     PLANNING FOR DEATH TAXES IS NOT DEAD! By: Simon Levin, Esq. and Donald A. Kress, Esq.   With the failure in the Senate of President Biden’s “Build Back Better” (“BBB”) legislation ro pass, which already had dropped literally all of its original Draconian estate and gift tax proposals, the opportunity for creative and meaningful death tax planning is more alive than ever. After a short collective sigh of relief, taxpayers need to focus quickly on the facts that not only are all of the well-known planning opportunities still available, but, due to on-going adjustments for inflation, many of the benefits actually have improved.   Legislative Background   For 2022, the federal gift, estate and generation – skipping tax exemptions (the “Exemptions”) again have increased, this time to $12,060,000 ($24,120,000 for a married couple) from $11,700,000, and the gift tax annual exclusion has increased to $16,000...

It is never too early to learn and develop a strong work ethic.  Simply put, the best way to learn is through firsthand experience.  Family businesses give parents the ability to bestow core business values and acumen to their children.  Whether they are young adults or teens, giving them the experience at a young age on how to properly manage money and invest, will not only jumpstart their desire and ability to be financially sound, but will keep them ahead of the curve.  It also provides them with a way to start saving for future goals like college or a down payment on a house.  In return, you get employees who have a natural sense of commitment, teamwork, and loyalty.  Starting them at a young age will give them a deeper understanding of the business and a greater appreciation for your hard work and dedication to continuing its success.  They may...

Proper Business Protection and Succession Planning  A succession plan is much more than just an idea of who will run the company when you are not able or no longer want to.  A Plethora of factors come into play: Will you sell? To whom? Will your family take over? How will the business continue to operate? What happens to your family, employees, and the company after you pass away or incapacity?   While there is myriad of insurance solutions to protect your business from lawsuits and other liabilities, one liability that simply cannot be avoided is incapacity or death.  This is especially true if you are the sole business owner; without proper planning it will be incredibly difficult to make certain your business and the income it generates to your family will continue to run smoothly.  A comprehensive estate plan will allow you to avoid unnecessary court processes, which could easily cause...

When was the last time you reviewed your Estate Plan?   Even if you have a sound estate plan in place, it canbe worthless for the people you love ifnot regularly reviewed nor kept up to date.  Most people believe their estate plan is done when they sign a will, trust, power of attorney or a living will, but estate planning is a lifelong process.  Your life will inevitably evolve as changes to laws, assets, family, and goals happen.  In absence of any major life events, we recommend reviewing your estate plan annually to ensure it is current and still reflects your desires. These are the four questions that you should ask yourself during an Estate Checkup. Has your family or household changed?   Marriage: Marriage instantly changes your legal status.  Regardless of whether it is your first marriage or fifth, you must take the proper steps to ensure your estate plan...

Planning for Success: “Overprotected” - Britney Spears    When Britney Spears burst onto the Billboard Charts at the age of sixteen, she instantly became one the world’s most beloved pop stars.  Despite Britney’s massive fame and fortune, she has never had full control over her own life.  Imagine becoming a worldwide sensation, amassing riches and fortune, but with the caveat of having to ask for permission on how and when it can be used.   As most of us remember, Britney suffered a mental breakdown in 2008, which led to the formation of a conservatorship.  Essentially, a conservatorship is an adult guardianship in which the court appoints representatives to control the individuals legal, financial, and personal decisions.  Initially when established, the conservatorship was meant to be only temporary; yet, in October 2008, it was changed to remain in effect for the foreseeable future.  For the past thirteen years, Britney’s father, Jamie, has...

Planning for Success: Steve McNair’s Colossal Fumble Estate Planning is commonly believed to only benefit wealthy and older individuals, when in fact all stages of life can utilize certain aspects and strategies of estate planning.  One could infer that estate planning is of greater significance for younger adults than it is for older ones.  This is due to younger adults often having dependent children that will require care for the foreseeable future.  If you are a parent of a minor child, how would the unexpected disappearance of you or your spouse impact your family?  Are your assets appropriately titled to avoid freezing your estate and probate?  While estate planning is often thought to be a scary process, it is not something to fear.  By acting today, our team of seasoned professionals can develop an effective strategy to seamlessly transfer your property; thus, allowing you to continue to provide for the individuals...

An individual’s residence and domicile are often narrowly perceived as the same; therefore, potentially missing out on tremendous tax benefits.  A significant aspect of the estate administration process is your domicile at the time of your demise, not where you were residing.  While you can have multiple residences in various states, you can only have one domicile.  Essentially, a domicile is a combination of two factors, the first is residency, and the second, an intent to remain for the foreseeable future.  Clients often look to establish residency in a jurisdiction with an attractive legislation for estate planning purposes.  Suffice it to say, Florida is considered a tax sanctuary fueled by its superior asset protection climate.  Currently, there are seventeen states that will impose either an estate or inheritance tax for estates that exceed a certain threshold.  Individuals located in these states with a considerable taxable estate could be required to pay...

Is Your Estate Plan for the Average Joe?   While no one likes to think of their own demise or what needs to be done to efficiently transfer assets and protect the interest of each beneficiary, it is imperative as a business owner .  Efficacious estate and succession planning will provide a lifeline for not only the survival of your business, but your employees and their families.  An effective estate plan clearly outlines how your assets are to be distributed when the time comes.  Ultimately, this will ensure your business can continue to run smoothly as the appropriate steps towards a successful succession have been thoroughly planned. With the Dolphin’s season opener right around the corner, the estate of Joe Robbie distinctly comes to mind.  In the mid-1960’s, Joe Robbie co-founded the Miami Dolphins, which at the time played in the old American Football League, shortly before the merger with the National...

Having a will or a trust is essential, but it is only effective if upon your demise, the documents can be located in a timely manner.  The family of Florence Griffith Joyner found themselves in this predicament.    Florence Griffith Joyner was a famous American track and field star, whom most notably, won three gold medals and a silver in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.   Florence broke records in both 100 and 200 meters, earning her the nickname Flo Jo, for being the fastest woman of all time.  She was only 38 years old when she passed away in her sleep from an epileptic seizure.  Florence had taken the basic steps to ensure that her wishes would be fulfilled by a will.  Unfortunately, her husband could not locate the will and was therefore unable to file it within the required 30 days of her death per California...

Most of us have envisioned what it would be like to be the beneficiary of a multimillion-dollar estate; however, it is rarely cherished by the beneficiary, the complexity of planning involved to not only protect their interest, but future generations as well.  Envision being the beneficiary of a $35 million estate, only for it to be reduced by roughly a third, this was exactly what occurred to Philip Seymour Hoffman’s estate.  Due to his decision to choose a simple estate planning technique, approximately $12 million will never make it into the hands of his family; instead, being consumed by unnecessary taxes and fees that could have easily been avoided. Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away leaving behind his beloved girlfriend and their three young children.  While he certainly had the means to hire a top estate planning attorney to develop a comprehensive estate plan; however, Philip took the advice from his accountant...

While it may seem like a distant memory, it has been a little over a year since the legendary Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash.  Kobe’s untimely death at the young age of 41, highlights just how critical it is for every individual to not only develop an estate plan ensuring their loved ones are properly protected, but to ensure the documents are swiftly updated to reflect recent life events.   Bryant’s earnings, between his salary and endorsements during his 20-year career with the L.A. Lakers, are estimated to be roughly $650 Million.  Kobe had a comprehensive estate plan in place.  His estate plan included a trust to not only protect his assets, but to reduce his potential estate tax liability and ensure his wealth is properly passed on to his family.  Kobe’s trust was created to allow his wife and daughters to...

When people pass away, it serves as a reminder of life's fragility.  You never know what the future holds and it only takes one event to change everything in a blink of an eye.    Tony Hsieh was a visionary who co-founded Zappos, a shoe company, which focused heavily on customer service and famously offered customers free shipping and a complete refund on all shoes within a full year after purchase, no questions asked.  At only 46 years old, Tony Hsieh passed away from smoke inhalation complications from a fire at his vacation home in Connecticut.  At the time of his death, Tony was worth an estimated $840 million, but despite his immense wealth he did not even have a simple will prepared.  Given Hsieh's altruistic nature, it is puzzling why basic estate planning documents had not been prepared.  Unfortunately, he is not the first among celebrities and high-profile individuals to...

The benefits of maintaining a long-term perspective.   History is unique, but not different. Although, it can be difficult to watch your portfolio dip with the market, it is important to keep in mind that downturns can be painful but have always been a temporary part of the process.   In the last forty years, we have seen thirteen corrections and eight bear markets in global equities. That is about one every other year. Over the last forty years, global equities have increased by a magnitude of seventeen times. Behavioral finance can be quite comical in the sense that people want more of something when the price increases and less of it when the price declines. We think it should be the exact opposite. Legendary investor Warren Buffett says, "he likes his stocks the way he likes his socks... on sale."    During periods of market volatility, it is important that...

There is still time to get critical financial documents in place   With the demands of work, family and daily responsibilities, many of us often prolong, or cast aside, organizing and documenting important legal and financial decisions. Then, when a game changing life event occurs, such as the current Coronavirus pandemic, we wish we had acted sooner.    While we are in unprecedented times, rest assured that there is still time to get critical financial documents in place; but you need to act quickly.    Here are some tips on what you can do now to get your financial and estate plan in order:   Review the current status of your financial and estate plan.  This is especially critical for older individuals and those who have impaired health.     Ensure that you have sufficient cash available to provide for your needs over the next six months.    Review your asset...

The world has changed in rapid fashion from canceling worldwide sporting events to limiting our travel and gatherings with large scale crowds.  This has caused an obvious disruption in the financial markets and probably will lead to some magnitude of economic downturn or even minor recession.  We say minor because in a large way this will be a self-induced slowdown in order to combat the spreading effects of the virus.  Once the containment sets in, economic activity will start to rebound and we will have more monetary stimulus at our backs to aid in the recovery.  In our earlier letter we projected that governments would step up their efforts to inject confidence either by monetary or fiscal action.  This is exactly what has happened in the United States.  The Federal Reserve added enormous stimulus to the short-term REPO market to ensure credit markets do not freeze up.  Next week the Federal...

It was just two weeks ago the markets were looking at all time highs and consensus was building about an economic recovery continuing based on higher earnings forecasts.  We don’t often experience black swan events but the coronavirus outbreak, by definition, could be possibly considered the black swan event of 2020.  It is early in the outbreak, but markets are seemingly reacting as if some level of economic downturn or recession is on the horizon.  We won’t know for sure what the toll will be on the economy or financial markets until later this year.  We can draw from several historical virus pandemics to get an idea of what happened to economic activity, but every situation and recovery is different.  Here are our quick thoughts on what has transpired so far and what our team at Coral Gables Trust is doing about it.   Government Action   It didn’t take long...

While the holidays were unfolding, Congress was busy signing into law the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) which has made several important changes concerning defined contribution and defined benefit plans, IRAs and 529 plans.  Most provisions in the law became effective on January 1st, 2020.  Below are some general topics and answers on the main highlights of the new law:   Inherited IRAs Any inherited IRAs that were received prior to 1/1/2020, no changes are required to the current distribution schedules in place.  Going forward, however, fewer beneficiaries will be able to extend distributions over their lifetime (a.k.a “the Stretch IRA”).  In most situations there will now be a requirement that all assets must be withdrawn from the inherited IRA within 10 years.  Some of the exceptions to this rule include surviving spouses, minor child, a disabled or chronically ill individual and beneficiaries who are no more...

What a difference 60 days makes.  It wasn’t that long ago when the tariff fight was in full force dominating the daily headlines resulting in directionless markets.  With really no hope for a deal, recession fears were starting to build based on a slowing global growth picture.  Investors were pouring into bonds like they were going out of style and the low volatility/defensive portions of the equity markets were investors preferred hiding place. Granted, things are still not resolved, but there is a little more clarity today than yesterday causing a change in sentiment.  We are a few weeks away from seeing a “phase 1” completion of the trade deal which has been all the news the market needed in order to reignite animal spirits early in the fourth quarter.   As we write, the S&P 500 has hit a new intraday high. On top of the tariff fight de-escalation, the Federal...

Q3 2019 - Will FED Cuts be Enough to Fight the Global Cold?    Commentary by the Trust Investment Committee    Despite the yield curve frenzy, escalating trade tensions and Washington rhetoric the third quarter came and went without much to be disappointed about. The major U.S. indices remain resilient and are only a couple percent from record highs set in July. The S&P 500 returned +1.68% for the quarter and is higher by +20.55% YTD, however, we have to be mindful that the S&P 500 is essentially flat year over year when factoring in the fourth quarter of 2018. The technology heavy NASDAQ enjoyed a quarterly gain of +0.17% and is higher by +21.46% YTD. On the economic front, employment data released for the quarter was good enough to keep the unemployment rate below 4% and wage growth at reasonable levels, however, the job market is showing early signs of...

Market Insight by Mason Williams   The Federal Reserve cuts interest rates again by 0.25%   The Federal Reserve finds itself in a no-win situation.  Criticism is running heavy in both directions. The market bulls and Trump administration want faster rate cuts to get ahead of a slowing global economy while a large wave of market participants wonder why we are cutting rates at all given the positive economic backdrop.  In either case, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell continues to march forward with a “data dependent” outlook on policy.  The Federal Reserve cut its target rate last week, as expected, by 0.25% to a range of 1.75% to 2.00%.  This was the second rate cut of 2019.     Future rate cuts are uncertain at best.  At this point in the cycle, should the Federal Reserve be cutting rates? Certainly, some of the Federal Reserve Committee members don’t believe so.  It...

As seen in The Miami Herald - How to avoid a Category 5 financial crisis when a storm hits    “While many of us know to stock up on the typical hurricane supplies, ensuring our finances are well-organized and protected is not always top of mind during this hectic time.”   Hurricane Dorian spared South Florida this time; however, the threat of a potential hit had many stocking up on supplies such as food, water, batteries, gas and other hurricane-preparation items. Unfortunately, our neighbors in the Bahamas were not so lucky; the overwhelming devastation to the Islands has left many of us rethinking our disaster preparedness plans.   Ensuring our finances are well-organized and protected is not always top of mind during this hectic time: Do you have an emergency fund? Do you have adequate insurance on your home and businesses? Are your documents protected? The following tips are critical to...

People are living longer today, thanks to medical advances and more health-conscious lifestyles, but that has created a situation that previous generations didn’t often confront. Helping take care of your aging parents or other relatives, especially when it comes to managing and protecting their finances, has become a concern for this generation.   Cases of elder abuse are very common; however, many go unreported. Unfortunately, some elders suffer in silence because they are too ashamed to say anything.   Common forms of abuse:   (1) One of predators’ favorite targets is the elderly, and sophisticated scammers will call the victim and tell them that they owe a debt and will be legally prosecuted if they don’t pay. When the victim sends them funds, now the scammer may have access to their accounts. making it worse for the victim.   (2) Caregivers who are taking care of the victim may have easy...

Here you are — 20-something, just graduated and accepted your first “real” job. Your employer mentions the company’s competitive 401(k) plan and you already mentally write it off. With credit card bills, student loan debt, rising rents and low starting salaries, it seems obvious that saving or investing is the last thing on your mind. Multiple studies have shown that millennials/Gen Zs are “dramatically worse off financially” than older generations were at their age. According to a recent study released by Deloitte, comparing 2007 to 2017, millennials are spending 16 percent more on housing, 26 percent more on food costs, 21 percent more on healthcare costs, and 65 percent more on education. The struggle is real, but does that mean financial independence is unobtainable for our generation? Although the statistics may be true, millennials need to understand that what they have is TIME on their side. Investing is not just for...

Are You on the Fast Track to Early Retirement?  Have you dreamed about retiring in your 50s or before you receive your AARP card? Are you ready to call the shots and choose how you will spend your days? Take this opportunity to envision what “retirement” means to you, what kind of lifestyle you would like in retirement and at what age would you like to achieve this dream. Retiring ahead of your peers depends on your dedication, financial situation, lifestyle, and early implementation of our comprehensive road map. We can chart the path together and, with the stewardship of a seasoned fiduciary team, we can quickly steer clear of potential roadblocks to keep you on track to realizing your goals and dreams. According to recent U.S Census Bureau data, the average retirement age in the United States is about 63 years old. Early retirement in terms of Social Security and...

With the cost of college education skyrocketing and outpacing wage growth by nearly eight times, it is not surprising that student loans make up the largest portion of the U.S. non-housing debt. According to College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2018-2019 academic year for an in-state student at a four-year public university has increased 2.8 percent from the prior year to $21,370. A four-year private university increased 3.2 percent  from the previous year to $48,510. What techniques and strategies could be utilized to reduce the burden of potential student debt and keep it from snowballing? How can we best optimize our cash flow to fund all our goals and not become overwhelmed by the escalating cost of education? The One-Third Model is a funding strategy to help us stay on track with education planning by dividing the cost of college into three parts.     •...

Small business owners are actively involved in all aspects of the business, from day-to-day operations to continuing the sustainability and the growth of the business. At what point are you casting your net too wide?     It is not uncommon for business owners to assume they will never retire. After all, you’re doing what you love, so why not continue indefinitely? According to a Manta survey, a third of small business owners and entrepreneurs do not have a retirement strategy in place. Some entrepreneurs believe that selling their business is an effective way to fund their retirement. Attempting an exit strategy without a well-developed succession plan is not a feasible option. Small business owners must plan for themselves because if they don’t, who will? Before we begin reviewing the different retirement plan options, we need to determine the objective that we would like the retirement plan to achieve. Are we trying...

Careful estate planning is necessary when planning for children or relatives with disabilities. The term “special needs” it is commonly used where there is someone in the family who is unable to make necessary legal, financial and overall life decisions for him or herself. The biggest fear is often “Who will take care of my loved ones and how will they be provided for after I am gone?” A Special Needs or Supplemental Needs Trust is a trust that preserves your loved one’s ability to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits and can help you establish your wishes for how your loved one is provided for after your death. Owning a house, a car, furnishings, and some other personal items does not affect eligibility for SSI or Medicaid. But other assets, including having too much cash in the bank, will in fact disqualify your loved one from benefits. Leaving...

First, can we financially afford adding a pet to our family?  The simplest way is to start with a budget.  It is always best to slightly overstate the potential costs that will be incurred.  As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional, I enjoy comprehensive research and running various scenarios to determine the best solution.       Let me save you time on gathering details for your pet’s budget. Initial costs vary greatly depending on if you are adopting from the Humane Society or opting for a designer pet from a breeder.  When it comes to adopting from a shelter, adoption fees range from $100 to $300, depending on age and breed.  A perk of this cost is that it typically includes spaying/neutering, microchipping, and vaccination. When purchasing a pet from a breeder, expect to pay from $1,000 to more than $2,000, depending on the breed. Additional beginning expenses will include: an initial...

This past December was one for the books — and not in a good way. On Christmas Eve, the S&P 500 index fell by 2.71 percent, making history as the biggest plunge to ever occur on the last trading day before Christmas. Did Santa Claus skip town? Now, talks of volatility in the stock market, federal interest rate hikes, U.S.-China trade negotiations and the U.S. government partial shutdown mark every headline. With all this noise, how is it possible to stay calm and carry on? If you are a long-term investor, the solution is exactly that: stay calm and stay the course. Market swings, or “corrections,” are normal and to be expected. If you don’t need to utilize the investment funds you have set aside for an immediate short-term goal, then experts agree that you should still invest in the stock market and avoid trying to “time” the market. Instead of...

We’ve all heard of the “millionaire next door,” the investor who quietly amasses a fortune by living within his or her means, buying the right securities, and faithfully staying the course through various stock- and bond-market cycles. Perhaps we even know a few such people.   This sort of person typically eschews the services of a financial planner, reasoning that his or her own strategy has worked so far, and that the financial planner’s fee is an unnecessary expense. But financial planning by an objective professional — one who has no proprietary products to sell —is an investment that will pay for itself many times over, just like a good security.   An adviser will take many things into account when advising a client, including the time horizon (age of the family), its short- and long-term financial goals, and the timing and nature both of cash inflows and outflows.   The...

Most people have a general understanding of what a will is: a way to designate who will get which of your assets when you die. Many think the will is the principal governing document in your estate plan, but that’s not entirely true. Many assets don’t fall under a will or probate, and without considering those things, even the best will can be almost meaningless. Most people have accumulated real estate, have life insurance, have mutual funds (as part of or separate from a 401k or IRA), bank accounts, real estate, and other assets. In most or all of these cases, when you purchase the asset or sign a life insurance contract, you’re asked to designate a beneficiary, and sometimes a contingent beneficiary. One of the biggest estate-planning mistakes people make is not reviewing these other financial instruments and aligning the beneficiaries they have designated with their total financial plan, or...

Within the financial services industry, opinion is mixed on whether wealth management professionals should give clients advice on personal matters, on issues that do not relate to the client’s economic picture. Some practitioners give this practice a wide berth, reasoning that giving personal counsel could lead to trouble or damage the advisor-client relationship, especially if the client disagrees with the advice or the recommendation works out badly. But here’s another way of looking at it: judiciously handled, extending guidance to a client on non-financial matters can strengthen the relationship and provide benefits for both client and financial professional. You have to proceed carefully, of course, and the recommendations you give must be at arm’s length, and solid advice. Some advisors just talk, talk, talk, and go through the numbers with the client. But if you instead listen, you can learn so much more. Listen with empathy and be an active listener....

When planning their estates, many people want to remember a charity, cause, or organization with a monetary gift, an honorable impulse. But the vehicle you use to make the charitable bequest can have a great impact not only on your heirs, but also the organization you’re trying to support.   It’s a very common mistake to include all of your assets in a will or revocable trust, which can have unintended tax consequences. Fortunately, there are easy remedies.   Keep in mind that what your heirs will actually inherit after your demise are the assets you earmarked for them — after taxes. So, when deciding how to structure your will or revocable trust, you want to always assess the tax consequences to your heirs of any and all classes of assets.   In the mix of investments most retired people have, there is almost always an IRA or 401K, for which...

Last summer, Fidelity Investments became the first financial company to offer no-fee index mutual funds, and quickly attracted about $1 billion into two portfolios. This has several implications for wealth management companies, and for investors.   The funds the company is offering — one each focusing on U.S. and international stocks — are passive funds; they are built to mirror a market index. Active strategies, on the other hand, comprise stocks chosen by an advisor and their team of analysts.   Passive funds are a lot cheaper than active funds, and over the past five years, they’ve had a stronger growth rate, partially because the fees are lower. They are the go-to product for millennials who have just begun investing. The thinking goes: ‘When the market is as strong as it is, why would I pay someone more to choose stocks for me?’ This product is starting to creep into the...

Advice on amassing sufficient assets and investing them well to build a healthy retirement is easy to find. Books, online resources, lectures, magazine articles, a talk with your financial advisor — even blogs like this — can be invaluable tools for the investor just starting out and those who want to proactively manage their financial futures.   But what about that day, six months after your 70th birthday, when you’re facing the prospect of taking annual required minimum distributions from your IRA or 401(k)? The Internal Revenue Service demands that you withdraw a percentage of your tax-sheltered funds — the amount will vary depending on myriad factors including the type of plan you have, your life expectancy, and the age of your spouse, and other considerations — and pay taxes on those withdrawals.   Guidance at that juncture is somewhat harder to find, but here are some factors we at Coral...

It seems as if the importance of personal finance management has always been a cultural touchstone. “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” Ben Franklin declared in America’s colonial days. In 19th century England, Charles Dickens has Mr. Micawber recite his own recipe: “Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 19 [pounds] 19 [shillings] and 6 [pence], result: happiness. Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 20 pounds ought and 6, result: misery.” Ideally, individuals and families should set realistic, achievable goals and then prioritize those goals according to their values. Ideally, this should all evolve in a logical, painless and orderly way. Yet the prospect of taking one’s financial affairs in hand can be daunting. According to the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, in 2012, 56 percent of U.S. households lacked a budget, 40 percent of adults had no savings other than retirement funds, and 50 percent of...

Recent changes to the tax code have raised the threshold for inheritance and gift tax to $11.2 million per person — a threshold most working people will not reach or exceed — and that’s caused some to speculate that estate planning is dead. But to paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated.   Instead, we’ve seen the emergence of legacy planning, which differs from traditional estate planning in several ways.   While estate planning in the past has been all about passing on as much of your assets as possible to your heirs and avoiding taxes, legacy planning talks about more than where the money goes, but also what you want to accomplish during your life and what you want to accomplish when you’re gone.   Your goal might be to preserve family wealth or to establish a blueprint so that a family business can continue to...

A constant dilemma in the world of wealth management is whether it’s wise to stick with the security of U.S. stocks or venture into the international marketplace in search of potential opportunities. This seems especially relevant now, when tough talk on tariffs threatens to roil the seas of international trade and usher in unintended consequences. We at Coral Gables Trust Company have always preached that diversifying one’s portfolio — both geographically, between companies, and across investment vehicles — is the wisest move and the surest path to achieving your goals. But when, how much, and where to diversify? The following are some things to consider. The international space has been hard over the past three or four years. We in the U.S. got our act together quickly after the 2008 financial crisis. We jumped into recovery mode right away, whereas the international markets were not as swift to respond. There is...

Today, online transactions are so prevalent that it’s hard to imagine a financial life without them. How would we buy an airline ticket, transfer money between accounts, book a vacation, pay bills, or keep track of expenses without internet connectivity?   But there’s one area in which consumers seem to prefer a human encounter to computer clicks. The acceptance of robo-advisors — online software that allows clients to manage investments — once ballyhooed as the next major trend, has been slow to catch fire. Some observers say that only one-half of 1 percent of assets under management are enrolled in such arrangements, and that the number will only increase to 2 percent by 2022. We at Coral Gables Trust Company know there are many good reasons for that.   Let’s be clear: there are situations in which robo-advisors , or plug-and-play programs, can be very useful. For the young investor just...

This week we’ve invited Eileen Santana, our Sr. VP and Sr. Relationship Manager, at Coral Gables Trust Company to advise us on how to avoid a category five financial crisis when a storm hits. With hurricane season upon us and the aftermath of Hurricane Irma still fresh in our minds, now is the time to start your disaster preparedness. Forecasters are predicting another busy season this year and as South Floridians, most of us know to stock up on food, water, batteries, gas and other hurricane preparation items. But ensuring that our finances are well-organized and protected is not always top of mind. Do you have an emergency fund in place?  Do you have adequate insurance on your home and businesses? Are your documents protected? The following tips are critical to avoiding a category five financial crisis in the event of an emergency such as a hurricane. Establish an emergency fund:...

This week we've invited Mason Williams, our Chief Investment Officer, at Coral Gables Trust Company to give us a quick insight and share his predictions on the latest local and national job report numbers for South Florida. Yes! Florida continues to be a robust State for jobs. I was recently asked at a conference would South Florida continue to show job growth in Q4 of 2018 and into 2019? Yes! I responded. Because of its strong and steady annual job growth rate of 2.4% compared to the national rate of 1.9% over the past year, and because of the state unemployment rate of 3.8% matching the national average of 3.8%. Yes! Florida is and will continue to be job strong.  When we look at the South Florida/Miami-Dade metro area key indicators, the unemployment rate of 3.9% is also in-line with the state and national average.  And further north, the Broward metro region...