Do any of these financial question marks apply to you?

Should We Set Up A Trust?

Should we set up a trust?

What types of trusts are there and which one is right for our family?

Trusts are valuable tools which allow you to exercise control over your family legacy which would not otherwise be possible. Instead of leaving all of your assets outright to one individual, for example, placing those assets in a trust will allow you to provide benefits to multiple beneficiaries. There are a myriad of uses of trusts. Your relationship officer at the Pacific Portfolio Trust Company can explore their many uses to prepare you for a planning session with your other advisors such as CPAs and attorneys.

Because a trust allows you to control how your assets are managed both during and after your lifetime, people with special circumstances, such as those who are caring for a child or family member with special needs, or managing succession planning for a closely held business, find it to be a very appealing option. A trust even allows you to specify certain conditions that must be met in order for a transfer of assets to be completed.

We specialize in the below types of trusts which are in common use today:

  • Living Trust

  • Credit Shelter, or By Pass Trust

  • IRA Rollover

  • Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT)

  • Charitable Trusts

  • Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT)

  • Qualifying Terminal Interest Property (QTIP)

  • Special Needs Trusts

  • Spendthrift Trusts

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3Q 2024 Market Letter
3Q 2024 Market Letter

TRUE GRIT

Some of you may already be familiar with the work of psychologist and popular TED talker Angela Duckworth on the concept of grit, which she refers to as “passion and perseverance for very long-term goals;” the dictionary, meanwhile, defines grit more broadly as an ability to display courage and resolve in the face of challenge.

From a pragmatic, “big picture” perspective, this could easily be making reference to the entire process of investing; certainly, this long-term practice we are pursuing together requires a healthy degree of grit from which to draw the courage, conviction, and discipline to prudently grow our clients’ wealth in pursuit of their – of your – most important long-term goals.

1Q 2024 Market Letter
1Q 2024 Market Letter

For the time being, the market continues to take “Good News” as good news, but inflation trend bears watching, as this could become the catalyst that shifts investors’ mindset.

4Q 2023 Market Letter
4Q 2023 Market Letter

Why the long face? Another year in the can, all wrapped up nice and festive with a pretty little bow, Santa Claus rally and all! Any investor with the nerve to complain that they did not get everything on their Christmas list should at least have been able to find solace in the market’s recent move to all-time highs, so let’s just keep the tidings of comfort and joy rolling all the way through 2024, right?!

3Q 2023 Market Letter
3Q 2023 Market Letter

You’re no doubt hearing a lot about how remarkably “resilient” the U.S. economy has been looking lately.  Despite the Fed’s move to hike interest rates sharply higher over the past 18 months, economic growth in the U.S. has managed to remain in positive territory in recent quarters, steadily exceeding economists’ expectations in the process. 

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2Q 2023 Market Letter

The Fed is on pause.  No, wait!  Cancel that: it may just have been a “skip” masquerading as a “pause.”  Okay, so more interest rate hikes to come then.  One?  Two?  Certainly not more than two!? And those 2023 rate cuts that markets have been pricing in since early March?  Oh, okay; those are gone too now. 

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1Q 2023 Market Letter

TO BUY, OR SAY “GOODBYE!” …THAT IS THE QUESTION

Verily, ‘tis so! As the Ides of May grow nigh, investors are in a state of consternation to rival that of the Prince of Denmark himself as they ponder whether it be nobler – or financially more astute – to go “all-in” (Shakespeare, too, was apparently a big Texas Hold’em player) or move to the sidelines and check back in on the markets some time in the late Fall. If, perchance, either of those two extremes looks particularly appealing to you right now, I beg you heed my warning and reframe the question lest ye suffer the financial equivalent of a tragic ending.

Take Control of Your Finances: Celebrate Financial Literacy Month with These Essential Tips!
Take Control of Your Finances: Celebrate Financial Literacy Month with These Essential Tips!

Financial literacy is vital for everyone, as it involves having a working knowledge of money management. Without essential financial skills like budgeting, investing, and retirement planning, life can become much more difficult. Financial Literacy Month provides an opportunity to prioritize financial literacy and take advantage of resources to improve your financial situation now and in the future. Here are 6 tips to help you get started.

WASHINGTON STATE CAPITAL GAINS TAX
WASHINGTON STATE CAPITAL GAINS TAX

The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the excise tax on capital gains is constitutional and valid. As such, the Department of Revenue will continue collecting the tax which is due April 18, 2023. A filing extension will be granted if the taxpayer files a federal extension and requests a Washington extension prior to the original due date, but the tax must still be paid in full by April 18th (April 15th in future years). Any tax paid after that date is subject to a late payment penalty of up to 29% of the tax due.

How to Eliminate Debt
How to Eliminate Debt

Not all debt is bad, but reducing the debt you have can give you more options both now and later. Are you curious about what key strategies you can deploy to reduce your debt? Keep reading to learn about effective debt reduction strategies and solutions.

UPDATE ON THE US FINANCIAL SYSTEM
UPDATE ON THE US FINANCIAL SYSTEM

As you have no doubt heard by now, the U.S. financial system has seen several bank failures over the past week, including its second-largest ever with the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which was taken over by regulators this past Friday. This followed the announcement middle of last week of the wind-down of Silvergate Bank and, in turn, has since been followed by the weekend takeover of Signature Bank by state regulators.