Cornerstone Private Wealth Management

04/02/2026

When it comes to your estate planning, there’s no such thing as starting too early. There is such a thing as too late. Why? Because there are many factors to consider, and every family is different.

Recently I was speaking with an acquaintance who told me, “I have a will, so I’m all set for now.”
Having a will is a very important part of your estate plan, but it’s not the only part.

A will doesn’t specify how you want to be treated, should your health fail. It doesn’t dictate who will carry out your wishes or handle your financial affairs if you become incapacitated. It doesn’t help your heirs limit their tax burden. It takes a broader estate plan to address those types of issues.

An estate plan serves five major purposes:

1) It directs who will receive all your assets when you die.
2) It minimizes probate costs and any estate taxes that might be owed on that property. It’s the estate tax that people tend to think about when they think of an estate plan, and because many people believe they don’t have an estate large enough to be taxed, they don’t bother drawing one up.
3) It provides for care of minors (otherwise the state will become their guardian).
4) It provides for your care if you are unable to provide for yourself. A proper plan ensures that you get to pick the caregivers, not the state. This is critical for young people, singles, and older persons.
5) It determines the overall legacy — financial and otherwise — that you leave behind.

These are issues that should not wait until later in life…and a will alone isn’t enough. So, if any of the purposes listed above are still question marks in your mind, it’s important to start finding the answers now. Because when it comes to planning, there’s no such thing as too early. There is such a thing as too late.

03/13/2026

Revocable or Irrevocable, that is the question, right?
When it comes to protecting your estate, a trust is one vehicle that can help. Choosing the right trust arrangement can be crucial.
To decide if and which trust to choose, you need to work with an attorney, but here are just a few things to consider:
👉 Which is most important to you: control or protection? A revocable trust will allow you more control, but an irrevocable trust generally offers more protection.
👉 Are taxes a significant part of the decision? Revocable trusts do not provide estate tax benefits. An irrevocable trust removes the asset from your estate, thereby reducing taxes.
👉 While both need to be carefully created, an irrevocable trust is typically much more complex to create and manage. That typically means it will cost more upfront.
Both trusts have merits; it just depends on your purpose. No matter which you choose, you should carefully consider discussing a trust with a legal professional soon. If you have any questions about your estate or existing trusts, give my team a call.

01/09/2026

Do you have a 401(k)? A lot of people participate in their company’s plan. However, not many people are fully utilizing their 401(k).
Whether you have one or not, it is very important for you to understand the key considerations when it comes to 401(k)s.
First, research the fees and investment options offered by the plan.
Second, keep your portfolio diversified to manage risk and maximize returns.
Third, regularly review your investment strategy and make sure it is aligned with your current retirement goals.
Last, but certainly not least, contribute the maximum amount you can afford and take advantage of any employer matching programs.
If looking at your 401(k) portfolio is like trying to read another language for you, give us a call and I can help.

11/09/2025

https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/insights/3-common-investing-mistakes

Consider three common mistakes that can lower investment returns while raising anxiety—and why having an advisor could help you avoid such miscues.

08/26/2025

Are you prepared for a 25-year retirement? Start here:

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07/10/2025

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Gold has a reputation as a safe haven, but its long-term performance reveals a more complicated picture for investors.

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Markets are forward-looking, which means expected stock returns are positive even when the economic outlook is weak.

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