In the event of family disputes or challenges to the estate plan, our attorneys can provide guidance, mediate disputes, and work towards resolutions that protect your interests and maintain family harmony. Changes in family circumstances, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth or adoption of children, can significantly impact estate planning. Considering the significant changes in the federal estate tax laws, most documents drafted before 2008 may contain unnecessary restrictions that can cost the family significantly if not addressed.
Personal Information
Special Trusts and strategies will be required to protect special-needs and disabled beneficiaries. If no such authorization exists, you are definitely creating an unnecessary problem for your own well-being. If you have nominated a guardian in your estate plan, it’s very likely (though not guaranteed) that the court will follow your wishes. If you have minor children, it is part of your fundamental responsibility as a parent to create documents that nominate a guardian (and backups!) if you are dead or are otherwise disable
Portfolio Implementation and Rationales The SMA Asset Allocation Models do not represent a personalized recommendation of a particular investment strategy to you or your clients. We have no insight into the performance of the advisor/product/account or fund shown and do not attempt to determine whether the performance presented is accurate. Commodity‐related products, including futures, carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors.
Understanding Fiduciary Duty
You should be aware that certain LPs may be closed to new investors and therefore your clients may be prevented from investing in these products. Certain products shown may have account minimums or minimum investment sizes that are unattainable for your clients and therefore they may not be eligible to invest in these products. You should consider your risk tolerance of each of your clients carefully before choosing such a strategy. Before investing, we encourage you to request additional information, particularly performance information, of any product that you are considering for your client. If you’re searching for a fiduciary financial advisor who understands complex wealth, business transitions, or multigenerational planning, start with looking for firms that specialize in working with clients like you.
How Much Does a Fiduciary Advisor Cos
"Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan recommits us to what makes NAPFA exceptional--putting clients first, supporting professional growth, and fostering a deeply collaborative community," said Natalie Pine, CFP®, ChSNC®, NAPFA Board Chair. EPWA professionals prepare an Action Plan and coordinate with outside, unbiased, confidential drafting attorneys. A trust financial advisor at EP Wealth can offer ongoing guidance as you communicate your plans to family members, helping to navigate sensitive topics with professionalism and care. This might include walking through your trust structure with future trustees, or simply sharing your rationale with adult children in advance. At EP Wealth, we help clients look beyond business operations and address how ownership, liquidity events, or leadership transitions affect their personal financial and estate goal
Over 2,000 Investors and Families Served
That transparency is a hallmark of fiduciary care—and for many clients, it’s well worth the value delivered. This duty extends beyond investment choices; it influences how conflicts of interest are handled, how advice is communicated, and how your long-term goals are supported over time. For 40 years, NAPFA has been the standard bearer for Fee-Only, fiduciary financial advisors advocating for high professional and ethical standards. It means no commission based investment products. Where shown, performance information presented is that which has been calculated and presented by an unaffiliated third-party manager.
Tip: Always ask a prospective advisor, "Do you operate as a fiduciary at all times?"
This and other important information are contained in the respective Fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which should be read carefully before investing. A significant percentage of the underlying investments in aggressive asset allocation portfolio investments have a higher-than-average risk exposure. International/global investing can involve special risks, such as political changes and currency fluctuations. Any forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be Estate planning checklist for Homeowners based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. You should not buy or sell an investment without first considering whether it is appropriate for your client’s portfolio. Products shown may have minimum account sizes or minimum investments which may preclude retail and non-high net worth investors from being able to invest in these products.
When Should You Work with a Fiduciary Financial Adviso
