Financial Planning

Marriage financially ties you to your partner, so it’s essential to discuss spending, income, taxes, and budgeting before the big day. Some couples may also want a prenuptial agreement detailing which assets belong to whom. We can refer you to attorneys to explore agreements before marriage, tie your wedding budget into your broader financial plan, and act as your financial advocate so you make sound decisions from day one.

When a marriage ends, the financial consequences can be as significant as the emotional ones, and protecting your personal financial security requires careful planning. Regardless of what stage of divorce you’re in, Mission Wealth can act as your financial advocate and educate you at your own pace so you can make well-informed choices. We coordinate with your other professional advisors and help you understand the trade-offs between your options to support your future well-being.

Beyond funeral costs, losing a spouse raises immediate financial questions around survivor benefits, including Social Security and benefits from unions or veterans associations, and settling your spouse’s estate. Settling the estate is essential to determining what you have to live on and what debts must be repaid, a process that often takes up to a year including court proceedings. Mission Wealth can help you make arrangements ahead of time or provide educated guidance on the steps and financial implications to make this difficult transition simpler to financially navigate.

Single parents face unique financial pressures balancing work, income, and the costs of raising a child on their own. With the average parent spending 20% of household income on child care, costs such as daycare can consume a substantial share of a single parent’s income. If you’re entering this phase of life, planning alongside Mission Wealth to build a strong financial foundation early will help you provide for your child while keeping stress to a minimum.

Having a child involves a major financial investment, from immediate first-year costs like hospital bills, baby supplies, and preparing your home, to longer-term expenses like education. Raising a child from birth to age 18 costs a middle-income family well over $300,000–and that doesn’t include college. Mission Wealth can help you create a realistic budget and apply it to your financial plan so you can rest assured you’re on track to support your entire family for years to come.

Adoption costs vary significantly depending on the path you choose—public agency adoption from foster care, private or independent agency adoption, or international adoption. Whichever route you take, it’s important to understand the procedure and its associated costs before you begin. By planning alongside Mission Wealth and taking advantage of the many resources available, you can focus on what matters most: welcoming a child into your family.

Childcare is a significant recurring expense. According to the Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report, the average parent is spending 20% or more of annual income on child care, and 31% of parents are dipping into savings to cover the expense. Mission Wealth can help you explore options to offset the cost, including employer pre-tax dependent care savings accounts, on-site daycare, and employer referral resources. Talk to your employer, other working parents, and your financial advisor to find the right care solution for your child and your budget.

Raising a child with special needs often brings additional costs like medical treatments, private tutoring, or specialized equipment that require planning ahead. In some cases, it may be beneficial to set up a trust to provide care for your child that will last for their lifetime. Mission Wealth is experienced in special needs planning and will coordinate with your team of advisors to build a reliable, long-term solution that ensures financial security and protection for your loved one.

It is an important day for your child: a new beginning, a new commitment, a new life. Though your child will be the center of attention on that special day, parents are often an important part of the planning, providing guidance, making decisions, or offering financial support. We can refer attorneys to discuss your child’s options or prenuptial agreements; tie your contributions to their wedding, honeymoon, or post-marriage living situation into your financial plan; and act as a financial guide for you and your child through this exciting life event.

When children leave home, many empty nesters face the decision of whether to stay in their current home or downsize, along with new questions about lifestyle and finances. Newly freed-up time and income create opportunities to travel, pursue hobbies, and increase savings or investments. However, with record numbers of adult children moving back home (nearly 1 in 3), flexibility may also need to be a key component of your plan, and Mission Wealth can help.

Milestone gatherings like reunions, anniversaries, baptisms, and bar mitzvahs can be surprisingly costly, especially for large families. Planning ahead and staying organized are the keys to a successful event. Building these celebrations into your financial plan lets you focus on family rather than finances on the big day.

Many Americans lack adequate emergency savings, and a family member’s job loss, disability, or other setback may prompt them to turn to you for financial help. Determining the right level and duration of assistance means assessing their need against your own financial resources, and deciding whether repayment will be expected. The team at Mission Wealth can help you care for your family by caring for you and your financial plan.

Access to health care essential, and also can be expensive, particularly when you or someone in your family requires specialized care, medications, or services. Families face many choices about how to handle disability insurance, caregiving expenses, and how to navigate complex health insurance options like Medicaid and Medicare. Whether you are experiencing new health concerns or just planning ahead, Mission Wealth can help care for the financial side of medical challenges so you can stay focused on the people who are navigating them with you.

Whether for a career change, family, or a fresh start, every relocation carries significant costs from purchasing a new home to the expense of the move itself. Mission Wealth can help you evaluate your unique financial considerations whether you’re moving across the world or across town.

College can be a significant expense for families, with tuition averaging nearly $12,000 per student per year at in-state public universities and approximately $45,000 per year for private colleges. Starting with customized projections based on your schools of choice, Mission Wealth can help you determine the appropriate savings rate to cover college expenses and explore solutions like 529 plans.