(Co-authored by 4Thought Financial Group CEO Brian Mackey)

The estate probate process can be a long, expensive, frustrating process, often lasting nine months to two years while moving through the courts system, potentially costing thousands of dollars in fees, and leaving beneficiaries in a state of confusion without access to assets during a time in which they are grieving over a family loss.

For these reasons, most individuals with substantial wealth prefer to plan in advance of their own death to avoid and minimize the probate process to the extent possible.

How can one avoid the probate process? While there are several potential answers to this question (and the appropriate ones depend on the specifics of the situation), one possible solution is the Revocable Living Trust (RLT).

There are a variety of ways for high earners to reduce their current income tax liabilities, but they’re not all as obvious as taking your available deductions and maxing out your 401k contributions. After your 401k contribution has been maxed out for the year, one possible solution to further reduce current taxation is the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation plan (NQDC).

An appropriate answer to this question may depend on several factors, including the specific objectives of the investor, the amount of investable assets, the expected direction of interest rate changes, and many others. But in the absence of such specifics, there are traits of different available bond investment vehicles with which all bond investors should be familiar, regardless of what market environment may be forthcoming.

While this list is not exhaustive, the following three potential investment vehicles may be used as the basic building blocks of the bond portfolio:

There are very few concepts in financial planning that hold as much raw power to transform one’s life as systematic investing. But harnessing the potential extreme force behind this concept often proves tricky when it comes to actual implementation.

This notification for the week of 2/13/2018 is part of an ongoing series of updates intended to keep you informed about the changes occurring in your 4Thought Financial Group separately managed accounts (SMAs) each week. We may provide general commentary, as well as planning techniques and ideas. Make sure to discuss with your advisor whether these are applicable to your situation before taking any actions with regards to your financial plan or investment portfolio.

This notification for the week of 9/5/2017 is part of an ongoing series of updates intended to keep you informed about the changes occurring in your 4Thought Financial Group separately managed accounts (SMAs) each week. The information is broken into the constituent model portfolios we use to manage client investment advisory accounts. Please contact your advisor(s) directly for any more in-depth information related to your personal portfolio or for clarification on which models/strategies apply to you. Occasionally we may provide general commentary, as well as planning techniques and ideas. Make sure to discuss with your advisor whether these are applicable to your situation before taking any actions with regards to your financial plan or investment portfolio.

This notification for the week of 8/29/2017 is part of an ongoing series of updates intended to keep you informed about the changes occurring in your 4Thought Financial Group separately managed accounts (SMAs) each week. The information is broken into the constituent model portfolios we use to manage client investment advisory accounts. Please contact your advisor(s) directly for any more in-depth information related to your personal portfolio or for clarification on which models/strategies apply to you. Occasionally we may provide general commentary, as well as planning techniques and ideas. Make sure to discuss with your advisor whether these are applicable to your situation before taking any actions with regards to your financial plan or investment portfolio.

This notification for the week of 8/22/2017 is part of an ongoing series of updates intended to keep you informed about the changes occurring in your 4Thought Financial Group separately managed accounts (SMAs) each week. The information is broken into the constituent model portfolios we use to manage client investment advisory accounts. Please contact your advisor(s) directly for any more in-depth information related to your personal portfolio or for clarification on which models/strategies apply to you. Occasionally we may provide general commentary, as well as planning techniques and ideas. Make sure to discuss with your advisor whether these are applicable to your situation before taking any actions with regards to your financial plan or investment portfolio.

4Thought Separate Accounts rank in top 25% for 10 out of 16 strategies offered (As of 6/30/17)

This notification for the week of 8/15/2017 is part of an ongoing series of updates intended to keep you informed about the changes occurring in your 4Thought Financial Group separately managed accounts (SMAs) each week. The information is broken into the constituent model portfolios we use to manage client investment advisory accounts. Please contact your advisor(s) directly for any more in-depth information related to your personal portfolio or for clarification on which models/strategies apply to you. Occasionally we may provide general commentary, as well as planning techniques and ideas. Make sure to discuss with your advisor whether these are applicable to your situation before taking any actions with regards to your financial plan or investment portfolio.