Four Essential Steps to Level the Financial Landscape of Divorce Mediation

Many couples going through divorce are opting to pursue a settlement process through mediation. Mediation can reduce the overall cost and the emotional trauma experienced in a more traditional dissolution process in which spouses are separately represented.  While every situation is unique, people generally find the neutral mediator and the structured sessions typical to this … Continued

Travel Insurance: A Different Type of Investment

There’s no denying it now – the holiday season is in full swing. And for many, the holiday season means travel – to visit family or to take a long-planned vacation while the kids are out of school – and we hope your travel goes well this season! As often happens in life, though, things … Continued

When Dementia is Present: Preparing and Protecting Family Wealth

Tragically, developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can rob families of the joy of the golden years. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, every 67 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. Because on average women live longer, they are even more likely than men to develop dementia – almost two thirds of … Continued

How to Ensure Your Portfolio is Seaworthy in Stormy Markets

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William A. Ward Before setting out on a long journey at sea, you prepare your boat for the severe weather conditions you are likely to encounter.  In the course of planning your trip, you will likely also … Continued

Love Hurts

I can now fully understand from firsthand experience what it means to want the very best for your child.  As the mother of a 2½-yearold, I am fortunate in that it is still relatively easy to meet all of my daughter’s needs and to make her happy.  While raising children in Silicon Valley — or … Continued

Higher Rates and High-Yield Bonds

Fears of a “great rotation” out of fixed income have gripped investors for the past few years as the Federal Reserve moves closer to raising interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade. For anyone who has studied the fixed income market, one of the first things you learn is the inverse relationship … Continued

Protecting Assets Owned by a Trust: Is Your Trust Named as an Insured?

Trusts are commonly-employed structures for wealthy families. To manage estate taxes as part of an overall estate planning strategy, it is common to transfer ownership of a home from an individual to a trust. However, this well-intended strategy can have potentially disastrous outcomes by creating exposure to potential uninsured claims. In the event of a … Continued

Understanding Term Life Insurance

If you died tomorrow, can you guarantee the financial security of your surviving dependents? For those currently in the asset accumulation stage of life, the untimely death of an income earner can have significant financial impact on the family. And while there are no guarantees in life, Term Life Insurance is an effective tool to help … Continued

Diversification – Don’t Leave Home Without It

“The secret of success is constancy of purpose.” – Benjamin Disraeli As a new parent, I am routinely reminded that patience and rational decision making, combined with preparation for a variety of outcomes, are critical ingredients in creating a palatable recipe for all involved. On a recent family road trip, my husband and I packed … Continued