Financial planning

What is this wealth supposed to accomplish? Many HNW clients confront this question as they contemplate what to do with their fortunes beyond providing for their families. Here's how their advisors can help.

As advisors work to minimize the estate tax burden, what about an analysis of how estate taxes will be paid? Here’s a simple solution for covering the bill.

As advisors work to minimize the estate tax burden, what about an analysis of how estate taxes will be paid? Here’s a simple solution for covering the bill.

Mark Spangler, who used NAPFA affiliation to attract clients before losing most of their assets, was taken immediately into custody at his sentencing.

Transferring partial property rights to a preservation group offers financial and non-financial rewards at acceptable costs as long as the proper procedures are followed.

Transferring partial property rights to a preservation group offers financial and non-financial rewards at acceptable costs as long as the proper procedures are followed.

IMCA and CAIA are teaming up to fill in a knowledge gap about alternative investments, offering a new online education program that teaches the basics to the uninitiated.

Lifestyle practices get a bad rap. But one of my main goals when starting my RIA was to build a business and a life that met my needs.

The variable annuities sector stabilizes as issuers find a balance between provider risk and client protection.

While the cloud shift and mobile tools continue to dominate, a few newer patterns emerged at this year's T3 conference.

Forging real relationships -- in person and not just online -- builds not only long-term friendships, but business to boot, says one marketing expert.

CFP Board makes new push into academia with plans for a center at its headquarters and an academic journal

The so-called Crummey technique has the IRS concerned, so planners might want to alert HNW clients before the opportunity is reined in.

Many states have updated their trust laws, providing simpler techniques to help trustees deal with the challenges of irrevocable trusts.

Expected in August, the Labor Department's new draft of a fiduciary proposal for retirement-plan advisors involves taking a more "clear, direct and nuanced" approach to the education vs. advising question, says Assistant Secretary of Labor Phyllis Borzi.

The so-called Crummey technique has the IRS concerned, so planners might want to alert HNW clients before the opportunity is reined in.

Securities America and Triad, both divisions of Ladenburg Thalmann, slapped for "failing to supervise the use of consolidated reporting systems resulting in statements with inaccurate valuations being sent to customers."

Regulatory, recruiting and retirement issues dominated the agenda at the annual BISA conference. Here are some of the smartest things we heard from economists, executives and other industry leaders during the well-attended three-day event.

Family office execs report a rise in direct investments and so-called club deals as hedge funds fall out of favor. ''Families want to be in control," says one consultant.

Advisors and their HNW clients too often shy away from difficult conversations about inheritance planning. Here are some ideas for advisors to help start the dialogue.