Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Everything you need To Know about Effective Family Risk Management in Seattle

Risk is a constant yet absolutely major factor in all investment decisions. Whether it is for the business or the family, being unable to factor the risk in every decision you make will be very disastrous. Since risk can never be fully removed from the equation, the next best thing to do is to maximize your returns while minimizing the risk in every financial decision. This is where the family risk management in Seattle will become an ideal solution. 

Why You Need Risk Management 

Aside from an ever-present factor, risk does pose a threat to the family under the right circumstances.Families of considerable wealth have the privilege of having more investment options to choose from. Apart from that, these investments are quite expensive yet highly rewarding if used correctly. The only problem, however, is that the risks themselves can be quite considerable. If one is not careful in major investment, it is certain that they will lose a considerable portion of their wealth. 


Such was the case of various families in which years’ worth of accumulated wealth were simply depleted in just a matter of months with no returns of investment. It cannot also be helped that a lot of individuals do not practice sound financial management which means that risks are more considerable whenever they are entrusted with a considerable amount of money.Since risks cannot be avoided, the only thing a family can do is to identify them in every financial decision and lessen its effects. 

Managing Risks 

There are quite a few factors that will determine the success of a risk management plan. The first one is the family’s focus. Before a family will make strategies on how to use their money wisely, they need to have a clearly-defined set of goals and objectives. In essence, a family needs to identify what are their goals for shared ownership and project where they want to be after a period of time. This will give the family the direction they need and the guidelines necessary for mitigating financial risks. 

The next essential factor is mitigation. A family needs to understand how risks can appear in everyday life and identify them way before engaging in any activity. Financial wise, risks can appear in any form and have various effects for the family. Whether it is in investing on a new car or renovating the house, a family should understand what the potential risks are in these decisions before making them. This will be based on various factors like current market trends, depreciation, current values and others. 

Transition will also play a crucial role in mitigating risk. It is at a transition period of any financial decision wherein the family can expect a lot of risks to occur. Transitional periods generally occur when a family member or asset is lost and unable to provide for the family’s needs.. Thus, they should be able to adapt to the changes coming despite the risks. 

Families with a considerable amount of wealth or have the means to amass it will definitely benefit from a company that can provide family risk management in Seattle. Through this, they can weigh in all the important factors to any financial decision before making it.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Having an Effective Estate Planning in Seattle: 5 Tips to Remember



Preparing your family and assets in the event of your passing is something that you should consider in your later years. Proper estate planning in Seattle will tell those who will survive you what are is most valuable to you and how they can protect it. Before you think about dividing your estate, here are 5 important reminders to think about.

It Isn’t All About Taxes

As of now, estate tax limits are at $5.25 Million for an individual and $10.5 Million for married couples. Unless your gross value does not hit this threshold, estate tax problems should not really pose a problem for you. Thus, you need not focus on how much you are going to pay once you have passed. Instead, you should focus more on how assets are going to be managed upon your absence.

Mind the Family Dynamics

It can be quite surprising how a family will not talk to each other once the patriarch or matriarch passes away. In fact, it will be in the estate planning process where you will expect that your surviving family members will argue and bicker over every asset they are about to inherit. Speak with your family first and make sure everyone shares the same objectives and sentiments when it comes to dividing your assets. Ensure that the estate plan addresses every need of the family members so that no one feels cheated or left behind once. If not, all of your work will be undone by misguided individuals.


Give the Right Direction 

Ideally, giving your children and spouse all your money will get you in their good graces. However, the money will not be beneficial if does not install the core values that you aspire for them to live by. Setting the right path for money to flow is essential in estate planning as it will prevent your wealth from being used in the wrong applications. Think about this: when would you say yes or no whenever your children and partner ask for money? Put that mentality into paper to guide those who will survive you in the right direction.

Never Underestimate a Person’s Capacity to Make Mistakes

There have been countless instances when heirs have entire accounts liquidated for pursuits that the drafter of the will did not have in mind. The lull to use the inherited money in frivolous pursuits is quite strong especially if the inheritance in question is quite big. To minimize mistakes in the distribution and use of your wealth upon your passing, it is ideal that you set up guidelines on how your accounts should be used upon your passing. Set you estate in such a way that a person’s capacity to make a huge mistake is minimized.

Give Back

If you have amassed considerable wealth in your lifetime, you should really consider giving back to those institutions that have made a mark on your life. Always remember that the key to effective estate planning in Seattle lies in making people know what is important to you and should be important to them. Give a considerable portion to charitable organizations, orphanages trust funds and other institutions. This way, you will leave a mark on your community that goes beyond material wealth.