Black Walnut Wealth Management

10/09/2026

Please join us in congratulating Amy Clapham on her promotion to Senior Client Service Associate! 🎉

Over her more than 2 years at Black Walnut Wealth Management, Amy has built strong relationships with our clients and become an important part of our team. Her attention to detail and commitment to exceptional service shine through in the care she brings to her work.

Amy, thank you for everything you do for our clients and colleagues. We’re excited to celebrate this well-deserved next step with you!

10/01/2026

Most financial plans are built around two people sharing income, decisions, and responsibilities. When one spouse passes away, those responsibilities often shift quickly to one person, usually during a period of grief and uncertainty.

Ask your financial advisor to model how the plan would change following the death of either spouse, including how much income would be lost, how taxes and Medicare costs could change, which assets would be immediately accessible, and what decisions the surviving spouse would need to make.

Read the full article here:
https://blackwalnutwm.com/insights/would-your-financial-plan-still-work-for-one/

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴.

Both spouses should understand the major pieces of the family’s financial life and how they work together.

09/25/2026

Fall marks the beginning of a busy planning season at Black Walnut Wealth Management. As we prepare for year-end decisions, we’re reviewing investments, retirement income, taxes, estate plans, and any personal changes that may affect the broader financial picture.

Read our September newsletter to find more insights into what's happening and what we're focused on this month.

Fall marks the beginning of a busy planning season at Black Walnut, as we prepare for year-end decisions any personal changes that may affect the broader financial picture.

09/17/2026

In many households, one spouse naturally takes the lead on the finances.

They may be the one who talks with the advisor, keeps track of accounts, reviews investments, or stays on top of tax and estate planning decisions.

That can work well, but over time it can also create a gap in how much each spouse understands about the family’s financial plan.

In our latest article, we look at why both spouses should have a working understanding of the bigger picture, including:

• Where income will come from in retirement
• How accounts and investments fit together
• Where important documents are kept
• Who the family relies on for financial, tax, and legal guidance
• What questions each spouse should be comfortable asking

The goal isn’t for both people to manage every detail. It’s to make sure both understand the plan well enough to participate in important decisions.

Both spouses should understand the major pieces of the family’s financial life and how they work together.

09/14/2026

09/02/2026

Financial concerns can look different for every family, but some worries tend to come up more often for women, especially as retirement gets closer.

● Will my money last as long as I do?
● What happens financially if I lose my spouse?
● Am I involved enough in our financial decisions to know where everything stands?
● Could supporting children or other family members affect my own long-term security?

These aren’t questions to leave until a major life event forces an answer.

In this article, we look at 5 common financial fears that affect women and the planning conversations that can help address them before they become bigger concerns.

Financial fears can paralyze anyone from making a decision about money, but for many women, money matters are particularly terrifying. Why all the fear? Here are five of the most common fears women have when it comes to money and ways to overcome them.

08/26/2026

Summer in Northern Michigan always seems to pass quickly. Visitors are beginning to head home and students are preparing to return to school.

For parents and grandparents, back-to-school season can also be a good time to revisit education planning.

What happens if money remains in a 529 plan after a child or grandchild finishes school?

Under certain conditions, unused funds may be rolled into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, providing families with another option when education plans change.

Learn what grandparents (and parents) should know:

For families saving money for college, 529 savings plans are important tools. If you’re a grandparent, you’re likely eager to contribute to a 529 for your grandchild, but what happens to the remaining funds after your grandchild completes their education?

08/22/2026

In our August newsletter, we focused on what can happen when too much of your wealth is concentrated in one asset.

A business, property, family land, or concentrated investment may have played an important role in building your wealth, but it can also create added complexity as retirement approaches. We look at why liquidity, taxes, estate planning, and family priorities should all be part of that conversation.

The newsletter also included our regular What We’re Watching, Planning Tip of the Month, and Tax-Smart Strategy sections.

Read the whole newsletter here:

Northern Michigan summer winds down with insights on concentrated wealth, estate planning, retirement income, taxes, Medicare, and markets.

08/12/2026

Financial decisions rarely happen in isolation.

A retirement income decision can affect your taxes.
An investment decision can affect your estate plan.
A business or real estate decision can affect your insurance needs.
A major life change can shift almost everything at once.

That’s why our work at Black Walnut is built around coordinated wealth management.

We help families bring the key pieces of their financial life together, including:

• Retirement planning
• Tax planning
• Investment management
• Financial strategy
• Insurance review
• Estate planning and trust services

Our goal is to help simplify the decisions, organize the moving parts, and make sure your plan reflects the life you’re building today and the legacy you want to leave tomorrow.

Learn more about our services here:

Comprehensive wealth management and financial planning services designed to support individuals, families, and long-term financial goals.