The Brookhaven Group

06/11/2026

True or false: Setting up a trust means your estate will avoid probate.

False. And it's one of the most common estate misunderstandings wealth strategists see. ⚖️

A trust doesn't protect anything the day you sign it. It has to be set up, meaning your assets need to be physically transferred into it:

▪️ Real estate titling may need to be addressed.

▪️ Bank and investment accounts need to be retitled in the name of the trust.

▪️ Insurance policies may need to be updated if the trust will be involved.

Overlooking these steps leaves the trust as an empty legal container.

Your estate may still go through probate. Creditors may still have access. The protections you prepared for may not apply.

The paperwork gets done, life moves on, so don’t let the trust get lost in the shuffle.

It happens more than most people realize. 📋

It's worth a conversation to make sure what you've built is actually doing what you intended. A trust involves a complex set of tax rules and regulations. Before moving forward, consider working with a professional who can guide you through the trust activation process.

06/10/2026

What would you do with a windfall?

A business sale. An inheritance. A bonus that lands bigger than expected.

Most people assume they'd handle it well.

But sudden money follows patterns. And the patterns aren't always flattering.

Psychologists call it sudden wealth syndrome: the anxiety, decision paralysis, and relationship pressure that arrive alongside a large sum. It shows up whether the windfall was a complete surprise or something you spent years building toward.

The 5 most common mistakes we see:

⏳ Upgrading your lifestyle before a strategy exists

🤝 Giving to family under emotional pressure

📊 Attempting to make decisions without professional guidance

⚖️ Freezing and making no decisions at all

📋 Missing the critical deadlines in year one

All five can be managed, but only if you get ahead of the emotions before the decisions start piling up.

The most important thing you can do in the first 90 days? Maybe nothing.

Tell very few people. Then consider building a team of professionals who can offer insights and guidance.

There is rarely a cost to waiting. There is frequently a cost to moving too quickly.

06/08/2026

More home sellers are taking listings off the market as housing conditions continue to shift.

In April, 5.8% of home listings nationwide were pulled from the market, tying December for the highest share of delistings since March 2020. Delistings were also up 3.8% from March.

Several factors may be contributing to the trend, including elevated mortgage rates, higher household costs, and softer buyer demand.

Some sellers may be choosing to wait rather than accept lower offers or longer timelines. At the same time, buyers in certain markets may have more negotiating room than they did in recent years.

Inventory has also been rising in some areas, with more listings sitting on the market for longer.

Together, these shifts point to a housing market where expectations between buyers and sellers may take time to reset.

Frustrated sellers are pulling their homes off the market at an increasingly high pace, as demand weakens and bidding wars wane.

06/05/2026

Markets continued their upward climb in May, supported by strong technology performance, positive economic data, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The Nasdaq gained 8.36%, the S&P 500 rose 5.15%, and Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 2.37%, while investors welcomed better-than-expected job growth and upbeat corporate earnings. With the Fed's next meeting scheduled for June, attention is turning to updated economic projections and what they may signal about the broader economy. From \$24 billion spent on Father's Day to the popularity of dining out and special outings, this month's by-the-numbers highlights how families celebrate the dads in their lives.

Stocks pushed higher in May, fueled by big tech names, positive economic news, and ongoing diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

06/02/2026

True or false: Americans in March 2026 are applying for fewer mortgages than they were during the Great Recession.

True. And it's not even close.

96 OF THE 100 LOWEST NUMBER OF WEEKLY MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS SINCE 1999 HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 3 YEARS! (according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's Mortgage Application Index)

Yet, unemployment today is a fraction of what it was during the financial crisis.

People aren't staying out of the market because they can't qualify. The market is gridlocked. Here's why. 👇

1️⃣ Millions of homeowners locked in at 3 percent during the pandemic. Selling means giving that up for another mortgage that may have a higher interest rate. So they're not moving.

2️⃣ If existing owners aren't selling, inventory can become thin, prices might stay elevated, and buyers wait for something to change.

3️⃣ Most are waiting for rates to drop. But when they do, demand may pick up, competition returns, and that window closes faster than expected.

Here's the truth about market timing: it almost never works the way people picture it.

The better question isn't "When is the right time to buy?" It's "Am I financially ready to move when the right opportunity comes?" 📋

05/29/2026

According to a Fidelity article, for the ‘25-’26 school year, the average published all-in cost at a 4-year public school for out-of-state students is $45,780, and the average private school costs $60,920.

So, because today is 529 Day (it’s 5/29, get it? 😂), it’s a good time to revisit one of the most flexible tools for tackling those numbers.

What 529 plans actually do:

📚 Tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. State tax treatment will vary, and so will fees and expenses.

📚 Use them for college, trade school, K-12 tuition, and apprenticeships. A 529 can even repay up to $10,000 in student loans.

📚 Whether a 529 qualifies for a state tax deduction will depend on your state of residence, as state tax laws and treatment may vary from federal tax laws.

📚 Superfund up to $95,000 in a single year by using five years of gift tax exclusions at once. But remember if you make nonqualified distributions, earnings will be subject to income tax and a 10 percent federal penalty tax.

📚 Minimal impact on financial aid—parent-owned 529s are assessed at a maximum rate of 5.6 percent.

Grandparents, parents, aunts, or uncles can contribute.

And starting in 2026, the K-12 annual withdrawal limit doubles to $20,000.

The best time to start was years ago. The second-best time is now.

05/27/2026

Federal Reserve officials appear increasingly focused on how persistent inflation could shape future interest rate decisions.

Minutes from the most recent Fed meeting show that many officials supported keeping rates steady, while also noting that higher rates could become appropriate if inflation remains above the central bank’s 2% target.

The meeting also reflected a notable level of disagreement. The committee voted to hold its benchmark rate at 3.5% to 3.75%, but four members dissented — the highest number of dissents since 1992.
A key issue was whether the Fed’s statement should continue to suggest that a rate cut remained the more likely next move. Several officials preferred more flexible language, given ongoing inflation pressures.

For households and businesses, these discussions matter because interest rate decisions can influence borrowing costs, savings yields, mortgage rates, credit card rates, and broader economic conditions.

A majority of officials anticipated that interest rate increases would be necessary if the Iran war continued to aggravate inflation.

05/25/2026

Yes, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. But let's not forget what this day is really about.

Today, we remember those who gave everything. The men and women who served and never came home.

Some of us knew them. Some of us are here because of them.

However you spend today, take a moment to pause. Enjoy the long weekend, but hold space for what it actually means.

To the families carrying that loss: we honor them with you.

05/20/2026

Energy costs were a major driver of the latest inflation data, with higher gas, electricity, and fuel prices showing up across household budgets.

In April, the Consumer Price Index rose at an annual rate of 3.8%, marking the fastest pace in nearly three years. Higher energy prices accounted for about 40% of the total increase.

Gasoline prices were up more than 28% from a year earlier, while overall energy costs — including gas, heating oil, and electricity—rose nearly 18%.

The impact may extend beyond the pump. Higher fuel costs can influence transportation, airfares, grocery prices, and other everyday expenses as businesses absorb or pass along higher operating costs.

For households, these trends highlight how energy prices can ripple through the broader economy and affect purchasing power over time.

CPI gas price index has surged 28% from a year ago, while overall energy costs are up nearly 18%, new inflation data shows.

05/19/2026

The Senate has confirmed a new Federal Reserve chair, marking a leadership change at the central bank during a closely watched period for monetary policy.

The confirmation vote was 54-45, making it one of the closest votes for a Fed chair in the modern era.

The transition comes as policymakers continue to weigh inflation, interest rates, labor market conditions, and broader economic uncertainty.

The new chair previously served on the Federal Reserve Board and has been involved in monetary policy discussions during periods of significant economic stress.

As leadership changes, markets and policymakers will continue watching how the Fed approaches its dual mandate: supporting maximum employment while seeking price stability.

In the most divisive vote ever for a Fed chair, Warsh, 56, won confirmation to take over for Jerome Powell.