The Mission Wealth
Insights Blog:
Estate Planning
From basic to advanced strategies, we believe estate planning is critically important and often overlooked. We can provide clarity and direction on legacy planning, family governance, distributions to heirs and charity, minimizing taxes, and maximizing lifetime giving.
What Is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act? Key Tax Law Changes Every Family Should Know
Explore the major tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what they mean for your income, estate, business, and charitable planning strategies.
Should I Donate My Car to Charity for a Tax Deduction? Here’s What You Need to Know
Learn how to donate your car to charity the right way and how to ensure it qualifies for a tax deduction as part of your broader charitable strategy.
How Do Massachusetts Estate Taxes Work — and How Can You Plan Around Them?
Learn how Massachusetts estate taxes work, what’s changed under the 2023 law, and what planning strategies can help protect your legacy.
New York Estate Taxes – Planning for State-Level Peculiarities
Avoid the surprise of New York estate tax rules and learn how proper planning can protect your wealth and minimize state tax exposure.
The 2025 Tax Law Sunset, Congressional Reconciliation, and Potential Tax Law Updates
Major tax shifts may be coming in 2026. Learn the changes to income, estate, and gift tax rules so you can plan ahead.
The Psychology of Gifting to Less Financially Responsible Heirs
Explore three key behavioral finance concepts contributing to poor inheritance financial stewardship and solutions to help mitigate these issues.
Annual Estate Plan Check-Up: Key Questions That May Prompt a Review
Is your estate plan aligned with your current goals? Answer these key questions to see if your plan needs a review with your advisor.
How to Prepare if You Are Named Power of Attorney
Taking on the role of a Power of Attorney (POA) agent requires preparation and organization. This checklist outlines the key steps for a smooth transition and responsible decision-making.
Important Estate and Tax Law Changes for 2025
The IRS has unveiled crucial adjustments to tax brackets, credits, and deductions for 2025. Read more in this article.
Oregon Estate Taxes – Planning for State Level Peculiarities
Director of Estate Strategy, Andrew Kulha, breaks down Oregon’s low estate tax exemption and offers tips to help you plan ahead.
7 Essential Tips for a Well-Designed Financial Life
Explore the key elements to creating a strong financial foundation—investment strategies, tax efficiency, estate planning, and more.
Washington Estate Taxes – Planning for State-Level Peculiarities
Curious about how Washington estate taxes differ from federal rules? Here are the keys of Washington’s estate tax system and strategies to protect your legacy.
Minnesota Estate Taxes – Planning for State-Level Peculiarities
Minnesota is one of 13 states/territories that impose an estate tax. Read about tax and estate planning strategies in this article.
Illinois Estate Taxes – Planning for State-Level Peculiarities
Illinois is one of 13 states/territories with an estate tax at the state level. Learn the specifics and planning strategies in this article.
Strategies to Implement Before the 2025 Estate Planning Twilight
There are several estate tax deduction strategies to take advantage of before the estate planning tax laws change at the end of 2025.
Estate Planning for 2024 and 2025: Seize Opportunities Before the Tax Sunset
Discover how upcoming changes in the tax code could impact your estate planning and explore opportunities and strategies for 2024 and 2025.
Year-End Legacy Planning, Wealth Transfer, and the Power of Philanthropy: Insights from Our Recent Webinar
Discover how to leave a lasting legacy for your family while making a positive difference in the world of charitable giving.
Important Estate and Tax Law Changes for 2024
The IRS has unveiled crucial adjustments to 2024 tax brackets, credits, and deductions. Here are the key highlights.
Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes
Estate planning is one of the more underutilized aspects of personal finance. Look out for these common mistakes.
Back to School: Understanding 529 Plan Changes and Power of Attorney Documents
Recent changes in 529 plan rules and the significance of power of attorney documents for young adults have brought new dimensions to financial planning.
How to Marry Family Legacy with Estate Planning and Wealth Management
By focusing on your family’s values, you can craft an estate plan that honors your goals and wishes and ensures your legacy for generations to come.
Estate Planning Essentials for Independent Women
We’ve developed four key estate and financial planning considerations that reflect the values and priorities of independent women.
Introducing Trust Services at Mission Wealth
Through our comprehensive platform, we offer a full suite of estate planning solutions, including trust management and trustee support.
Naming a Charity as a Beneficiary of Your IRA
For those that are charitably inclined, there are some good options to consider when naming a charity as a beneficiary of your IRA.
Holiday Conversations Lead to More Fulfilled Lives
By taking the time this holiday season to discuss your long-term financial and care needs, you set your family and your legacy up for long-term success.
October is Special Needs Planning Month
Corporate trustees can be a good solution for many estate planning considerations. However, there are pitfalls that one needs to be aware of before naming a corporate trustee.
How Corporate Trustees Can Ease Family Estate Planning Tension
Corporate trustees can be a good solution for many estate planning considerations. However, there are pitfalls that one needs to be aware of before naming a corporate trustee.
Lack of Estate Planning Cost Prince’s Estate Roughly $87 Million
Estate planning with wealth can be complicated. Our Director of Estate Strategy Andrew Kulha, explores the details of Prince’s estate and probate, and what estate planning, or the lack thereof,...
Understanding Intra-Family Loans
You may have considered loaning money to a family member since there are several advantages of intra-family loans. Find out more in this blog.
Estate Planning for Your High School Graduate
It’s that time of year again when millions of students will be graduating from high schools all across the country. Although most of their parents will still think of these...
Charitable Giving During the Pandemic
A recent study from Bank of America showed that almost 90% of affluent households gave to charities in 2020 – despite pandemic challenges. They found significant changes in how each...
Inspired Gifts for the Family
Gifts for the family can be experiences that create happiness for everyone, as none are as impactful as reaching out and making someone else’s life a little bit easier. Charity...
Align Your Financial Plan with Your Values
Many people are discovering that their financial journeys are even more fulfilling when they align their plans with their values. Read on to learn a few investing, spending, and giving...
What Proposition 19 Means for Californians
Will your children keep your CA residence after your passing and are you willing to give them your house before 2/15/21? Are you thinking of moving within CA and approaching...
Rethinking Your Pandemic Charitable Giving Strategy
The pandemic has created economic and health care challenges that continue to stretch our resources. But how does all of this affect how we give charitably? We’ve highlighted our top...
Estate Planning 101: Planning, Preparation and Process
Many of our clients have questions in regards to settling an estate after a loved one has passed. In this article, client Advisor Amanda Thomas shares her Estate Planning journey,...
The ABCs of Estate Planning Documents
Estate planning documents are generally created once or twice during a person’s life and then they are put in a drawer, and largely not reviewed thereafter. They are then referenced...
Retirement Plans for Small Businesses
As a business owner, you should carefully consider the advantages of establishing an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Generally, you’re allowed a deduction for contributions you make to an employer-sponsored retirement plan....
Wills: The Cornerstone of Your Estate Plan
If you care about what happens to your money, home, and other property after you die, you need to do some estate planning. There are many tools you can use...
Special Considerations for Second Homes
A rustic cabin. a seaside cottage. Has it been a lifelong dream of yours to own a second home? Buying a vacation home can be an alluring prospect. Before you...
Preparing for Parenthood
Parenthood may be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. As you prepare for life with your baby, here are a few things you should think about.
Estate Planning: What Are Your Needs?
By definition, estate planning is a process designed to help you manage and preserve your assets while you are alive, and to conserve and control their distribution after your death...
A Big Gifting Opportunity in New Tax Code
Although the the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act bill of 2017 certainly offers its fair share of complexity, it also presents a tremendous opportunity that many high-net-worth households don’t...
How to Ensure Your Life Wishes Are Granted Through Effective Estate Planning
Legacy planning is often the last piece folks tackle in their financial planning, because it’s the least appealing to think about. But if you put off your legacy planning too...
Estate Planning and 529 Plans
When you contribute to a 529 plan, you’ll not only help your child, grandchild, or other loved one pay for school, but you’ll also remove money from your taxable estate....
The Tax Benefits of Home Ownership
In tax lingo, your principal residence is the place where you legally reside. It’s typically the place where you spend most of your time, but several other factors are also...
How a Financial Professional Can Help You
Are you suddenly on your own or forced to assume greater responsibility for your financial future? Unsure about whether you’re on the right track with your savings and investments? Finding...
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – A Strategic Way to Give in 2018
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) have been spotlighted as a strategy to reduce taxable income for retirees.
4 Smarter Ways to Financially Help Your Adult Children
According to a recent study by TD Ameritrade, 25% of baby boomers are supporting their family members.. Support to adult children averages out to $10,000 per year. That’s $10,000 that...
Tips to Help Your Kids Build Credit in College
Beginning to build credit is an important step for your children to take as they begin to become more independent, but they may require some help along the way. After...
New Baby on the Way? 6 Tips to Help You Prepare Financially
A recent study found that 57% of parents regretted not taking more financial action during the first year of their baby’s life. Working through this simple checklist with your spouse...
How to Help Manage a Child’s Inheritance
Regardless of the source of funds, many parents are grappling with the issue of how much money is appropriate for their grown child and how the funds can either enhance...
Changes to the Estate Tax Laws
This is a brief summary of the significant changes to estate tax laws and 529 Plans this year, provided by Kenneth E. Devore & Associates.
The Perfect Holiday Gift: Charitable Giving Strategies
With the strong stock market returns, many clients have appreciated securities in their investment accounts and may incur capital gains tax should they sell these holdings. One avenue many use...
Preparing to be a Trustee: What Do I Need to Know Now?
By Dannell Stuart, CFP®Partner, Director of Business Development Have you been named in someone’s estate plan as their executor or trustee? Whether it’s an aging parent, sibling, or a...
Tips on Managing Your New Inheritance
By Dannell Stuart, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CASL® Partner, Client Advisor and Director of Business Development Receiving a sizable inheritance can be life-changing. For many people, it can open...
How to Select a Finance Firm
Selecting a financial advisor is a major decision that will impact your family’s wealth and peace of mind. If you are looking to engage a professional advisor or to...
The New Way to Leave a Lasting Legacy
Many families today are looking for planning and legacy tools to supplement their traditional estate planning documents. Beyond making sure taxes are paid and distributions transfer smoothly, families care...
The Divorce Is Final: Now What?
By Julianna Rote, CFP®, AAMS®, AWMA® Client Advisor Going through a divorce can be overwhelming, and even after the court finalizes the divorce, there is still a bit...
The Added Value of Financial Advisors (PDF)
Vanguard says that a good advisor may add up to 3% of value-added returns. Mission Wealth employs all the principles listed in this attached research piece. Click the image...
5 Smart Ways to Use an Unexpected Windfall
If you’ve received an unexpected wealth windfall, inheritance or have gained a large amount of wealth in a shorter than average time, an experienced financial advisor can work with...
Charities and IRAs: Your Questions Answered
Can I make charitable contributions from my IRA? Yes, if you qualify. The law authorizing qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs, has recently been made permanent by the Protecting Americans...
For Those Who Follow
By Brad Stark, MS, CFP® Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer Many people think they are prepared for death and that it won’t be a burden on others. However,...
Financial Privacy
By Brad Stark, MS,CFP® Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer Nothing exposes your wealth to the world as quickly as the court system, as made evident by recent celebrity...