When Brian, a successful young North Carolina businessman, notified the planned giving department at a mid-size Southern university that he had irrevocably named them as the remainder beneficiary on his $1 million charitable remainder unitrust...

In most years the tax code is a must read in the worst sense of the phrase: advisors feel compelled to bone up only because it's pretty much an obligation to do so. This year, this is doubly true. Last year's relatively exciting tax overhaul...

It's an article of faith in the wealth management world that there are no cookie-cutter solutions for the affluent. Of course all clients, even those without high-net-worth money, are unique. But wealthy clients, because their needs are so complex...

According to a recent Securities Industry Association survey, only 10 percent of investors view the financial services industry in a favorable light, but that isn't necessarily bad news for financial advisors. In fact, for those who can convince...

Almost half of all married couples end up divorced, according to the U.S. Census. But 75 percent of those people jump right back into marriage again. And while your clients would like to believe they got it right the second time around, remind...

Yes, the rich are different from you and me, most notably in terms of the financial advice they seek. If you aspire to serving these folks and who doesn't these days? be prepared to bone up on the special issues and problems of the ultra-wealthy...

If you aspire to serving affluent clients, providing financial plans that help them budget and prepare for quarterly estimated taxes is a must. Unlike ordinary taxes, which are withdrawn automatically from wages and pensions, estimated taxes rely...

Your Magic 8 ball has a better chance of predicting the outcome of the current estate tax enigma then you do. Couple that with the uncertainty of the stock market, and you have the making of some panicky clients. While you can't predict the future...

If you're an advocate of states' the 529 college savings plan is the investment choice for you. Started by Congress in 1996 and named after the section in the IRS code that permits them, these investment programs are run by state governments and...