Riverstone Asset Management
Planning for the Unexpected
Life throws us a curve-ball every now and then. We know these things can occur, we just don't know if they will or when.
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To help take lessen the shock and the pain, we try to create a safety net for the "just in-case" moments in life
Prepare for an Emergency
An emergency fund is just one component of your overall financial health. You can't choose what type of disaster might befall you or when it might happen. There are many things that you might not have insurance for (your dog breaking a hip) or that insurance doesn't cover (your car needing a new transmission, your furnace calling it quits in January).
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It's always been said to have 6 months of emergency funds in savings built-up. Since relying on credit cards for emergencies is a bad idea. For one, the bank could lower your credit limit, leaving you with less of a cushion than you expected. And even if that credit is available when you need it, do you really want to suffer the double whammy of an unexpected expense and having to pay interest on it?
Most of us have heard of this, and most of us think "I'll be fine" or "I'll start doing that soon". However, it just seems to be placed on the back burner until it's too late. Until that day occurs, until we need to have access to some emergency money.
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The best way to be prepared for unexpected expenses is to rely on yourself – and an emergency fund is the best way to do that. It's important to balance saving for emergencies with your other financial priorities.
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Death of a Loved One
The death of a loved one is a shock to the system. Emotionally, physically and (maybe) financially. Managing the finances of someone who has died may seem overwhelming if you aren’t aware of their financial situation or wishes. The last thing you may want to think about when a loved one passes is financial matters.
If you are thinking ahead and considering the emotional toll that managing your estate can have on your loved ones, your plan should include estate planning. Together with the advice of a local and experienced estate planning attorney, your estate plan can help your loved ones avoid an expensive, time-consuming process after you pass away.
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Divorce
Divorce is a difficult thing, some say it is life-changing. Along with the emotional impact to your life, there is the financial impact as well. Both of these can be significant.
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Everything that you and your partner have worked for now needs to be split. This may feel overwhelming to you, all these changes both on an emotional level as well as a financial level. We are here to help!
Some things that we would discuss and review with you:
- Adjustments needed to your retirement plans.
- Open new individual accounts, like bank, brokerage and credit cards.
- Reviewing insurance needs and the insurance needs of your children*.
- How this affects your taxes*
- Updating beneficiaries on accounts.
- Reviewing and updating my will and my estate plan.
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Click here to schedule an appointment to discuss.
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* Riverstone Asset Management does not offer health insurance or provide tax advice, therefore it is also important to consult with your independent tax professional for additional guidance tailored for your specific situation.
Taking Care of Your Parents
To assist your parents as they age, it's important to understand their goals, wishes and needs. Initiating this process early will help you. We can work with your parents to inventory their assets and sources of income. This will allow you and the financial advisor to work together to create strategies to help your loved one should that theme come.
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Seeking help with managing a loved one’s investments will reduce the time and energy you must spend on these decisions, help you feel confident in your loved one’s financial standing, and allow you to focus on other important caregiving responsibilities.
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We can assist with:
- Determine their income needs
- Discuss their estate planning details to make sure it is complete and up to date.
- Review insurance coverage
- Review beneficiary information on accounts
Special Needs Planning
Whether you are a parents with special needs children, a couple with a special needs partner, or an individual with a disability, all these situations face serious financial challenges.
Not only do parents need to pay for a child's current needs, they need to plan on covering the child's future needs - potentially long after when the parents are gone.
If you are a couple, you need to plan for long-term care for your significant other.
Special needs individuals fall into a wide spectrum of physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities.
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Sometimes, these individuals need additional medical and social care to be able to live a quality lifestyle.
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Some might be entitled to government programs that provide benefits to help pay for care. Often those government benefits are based on income and assets available to the beneficiary. Through proper planning, we can help you protect your loved ones, even if you are not there to provide it for them.
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We can help, click here to book some time to discuss.
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