As we close out April, it’s hard for me to reflect on the past month without thinking about family traditions. Every year, April kicks off with the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia, which to me, a poor golfer with no affinity for the Golf Channel, has always stood as the pinnacle of tradition in sports. Like many American children, I grew up glued to the TV, watching Tiger Woods stride through blooming azaleas, crowds of families walking the hallowed grounds of Augusta National, and, at the end, a victor donning the green jacket. Back then, those things didn’t mean as much to me as they do today, but I watched anyway because they meant a lot to my dad and his dad.
The same can be said for the celebrations of Easter and Passover. As children, we cherish our Easter egg hunts and the dramatizations of Elijah visiting the Passover table. But once the final egg is found and we say our last goodbye to Elijah and close the front door, we come to realize that these spring holidays are about much more than the games we play and the songs we sing. They are the traditions of our mothers and fathers, and their mothers and fathers passed down through the generations.
If you’ve ever read the copy on our website, you know that traditions like these are important to us at Rolling Hills Advisors because they represent a person’s, and a family’s, legacy. The world today is moving faster than ever, and distractions are growing exponentially, which is why we must be vigilant and proactive to protect the things we hold most dear. One of the best ways to do so is through proper estate planning.
At its core, we view estate planning as essentially the five W’s (Who, What, When, Where, and Why) with a comprehensive understanding of what matters most to you and your family. At the outset, we focus on ensuring your family’s assets are private and protected at death from probate, minor children have guardians in place in the event something happens to mom and dad, assets and healthcare decisions are in the hands of people you trust, and loved ones are cared for according to your wishes at the timing you specify. This can be accomplished by creating what we call an essential estate plan. It includes a revocable living trust, last will and testament, advance healthcare directive, and durable power of attorney.
But estate planning is not a one-time event. Laws change, net worths fluctuate, and family values evolve over time. For example, individuals and families with taxable estates (net worths in excess of $13,990,000 for individuals or $27,980,000 for married couples) require more advanced planning to ensure their assets pass to the people and charities of their choosing, and not to Uncle Sam. Charitable planning is also an important segment of estate and tax planning, and can be looked at individually and cohesively to maximize a family’s legacy for decades.
When we formed Rolling Hills Advisors, we did so with the singular goal of working with families to elevate and protect the traditions and values they hold dear, and we count ourselves lucky to be able to do so every day. If you or your loved ones are looking to review your estate plan to ensure your legacy is protected or create your first estate plan, please feel free to access our free estate health check or contact our team to get started.
This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not consider any individual or personal financial, legal, or tax circumstances. As such, the information contained herein is not intended and should not be construed as individualized advice or recommendation of any kind. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their professional tax, legal, and investment advisors or other professionals regarding their circumstances and needs.
Any opinion expressed herein is subject to change without notice. The information provided herein is believed to be reliable, but we do not guarantee accuracy, timeliness, or completeness. It is provided “as is” without any express or implied warranties.
There is no assurance that any plan or strategy will be successful. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and nothing herein should be interpreted as an indication of future performance.
Investment Advisory Services are offered through Mariner Platform Solutions (MPS), an SEC Registered Investment Adviser. Rolling Hills Advisors and MPS are not affiliated entities. For additional information about MPS, including fees and services, please contact MPS or refer to Form ADV Part 2A, which is available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. MPS does not provide legal or tax advice.
