Charles Paikert

Net new AUM is a "high-quality reality check," said Paul West of Carson Wealth Management.

Couples should "practice being retired," taking long vacations and spending more time together -- but not too close to the kids.

Some RIAs who claim to be for sale "have no intention of selling," said United Capital's Matt Brinker. "They like the dance."

One of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most prominent independent wealth management firms is selling a majority equity interest.

"The prospects for organic growth for RIAs and IBDs have never been greater. We expect to see more lift-out and advisors turning independent activity in 2015," says Liz Nesvold, managing partner of New York-based investment banker Silver Lane.

Focus partner firms managed $31 billion and advised on another $10 billion, according to their recent ADV filings -- considerably less than the $70 billion in "total client assets" the firm had previously publicized.

Royal Bank of Canada is ready to take another shot at U.S. banking, agreeing to buy City National in Los Angeles.

The president's proposals are "not a good capital investment policy in my view, and I think many clients would agree," says Jeanie Wyatt, CEO and CIO of South Texas Money Management in Houston.

Jones' football prospects are certainly bright. But what about his hoped-for career as a financial advisor?

The deal to buy the accounting firm was directly influenced by the increasing commoditization of investment management.

'Financial advisors' insights are critical in helping the family offices evaluate and execute their next steps,' says Julia Cloud, national managing partner, private wealth, for Deloitte.

The new aggregator offering a succession plan is drawing from experience: "I fit the category, I've been in their shoes," says 60-year old Joe Heider, founder of Cirrus Wealth Management.

Mariner looks at around 200 local firms each year, and ends up in serious conversations with around 10, according to CEO Marty Bicknell.

To make a deal work, "find out what values are most important to both of you," says Sean Montgomery, chief financial officer of The Bridgeway Group, based in Pasadena, Calif.

Cerulli predicts that market share gains in the RIA and dually registered channels will likely come at the expense of wirehouses and independent broker-dealers.

The latest Schorsch bombshell "makes quality advisors super uncomfortable," says executive recruiter Mindy Diamond.

Pershing's failures "exposed customer funds and securities to risk," according to FINRA.

Ultrawealthy clients can be tough customers. One expert suggests a few ways to stay in their good graces.

For buyers, the cost of funds is low now. For sellers, valuations are rich. Cashing out now is an “easy case to make," says AssetMark EVP Michael Abelson. "Or they can keep riding the wave."

A complaint that Schorsch instructed ARCP executives to shift numbers in the company’s second-quarter results to cover up errors from the first quarter is part of a defamation suit against ARCP, Schorsch and former ARCP Chief Executive David Kay, according to The Wall Street Journal.