There are calls advisors hope they never receive—but increasingly, they are becoming part of the landscape of wealth management. A family member, often a spouse or adult child, contacts you urgently. They are concerned that the client can no longer manage their finances, is making unclear or inconsistent decisions, or is giving instructions that seem […]
Continue reading…Protecting the Portfolio and the Person:Five Critical Moves After a Client Is Diagnosed with Dementia
A dementia diagnosis changes the nature of the advisory relationship. Before a diagnosis, the focus may be on recognizing subtle changes and cautiously responding. After a diagnosis, it shifts to managing risk, supporting the client, and putting protective structures in place while the client can still participate in decisions. A diagnosis does not mean that […]
Continue reading…When a Client’s Behavior Changes: A Guide for Advisors
At some point, most advisors will work with clients who experience cognitive decline. The challenge is that these changes rarely become obvious all at once. They tend to emerge gradually—subtle at first and easy to explain away. A missed detail here, a repeated question there. On their own, these moments may seem insignificant. But over […]
Continue reading…Too Late to Plan: Navigating Legal and Financial Barriers After Dementia Progresses
Looking back, it often feels clearer. The signs were there—missed appointments, repeated questions, small but noticeable changes. You were paying attention; you just thought there would be more time. The situation has now changed. If your loved one’s cognitive decline has progressed to the point where they may no longer understand or sign legal documents, […]
Continue reading…A Dementia Diagnosis Changes More Than Healthcare:Seven Legal Moves to Make While You Still Can
With dementia cases in the United States estimated to double by 2060—and roughly 42 percent of Americans over age 55 at risk of developing dementia according to recent research[1]—a diagnosis is something that more and more families will face. The statistics are sobering in the abstract. They feel different when they become personal. When early […]
Continue reading…The Window of Opportunity:Legal Steps to Take When You First Notice Memory Problems
You have been seeing the signs for months. Mom or Dad has not quite been themselves lately. They are forgetting things more often: appointments, addresses, payments, names. The other day, they got lost going to a place they have frequented for years. When you try to bring it up, they brush it off. “I’m getting […]
Continue reading…Planning Around Clutter: Tools Advisors Can Use Without Overstepping
People often accumulate personal belongings over time, from everyday items to sentimental keepsakes. While these possessions may seem harmless, they can complicate estate planning, slow administration, and create difficult decisions for heirs if not proactively addressed. Advisors do not need to tackle these issues alone or impose drastic changes on clients. Instead, they can provide […]
Continue reading…Practical Estate Planning Strategies When Letting Go Is Hard
Nothing in your home will stay yours forever. Every item—each wall hanging, piece of furniture, book, device, or collected trinket—will one day belong to someone else. Who that someone is depends largely on the decisions you make today. You do not need to adopt a minimalist mindset or purge everything of little value. Nor is […]
Continue reading…The Fiduciary Fallout of Household Accumulation
Many clients have accumulated belongings over decades, from everyday items to family heirlooms, which can create significant challenges for their heirs and fiduciaries. What may feel manageable during a client’s lifetime can become complex and time-consuming after they pass. When a home contains a large volume of personal property, organizing and distributing items can create […]
Continue reading…The Burden That Excess Belongings Place on Loved Ones
At some point, each of us may face the difficult task of walking through a deceased parent’s home. Empty in one sense—but not in another. The person is gone, but a lifetime of belongings remain. Going from room to room, drawer to drawer, and box to box can be part of the healing process. Handling […]
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