Wealth advisor discussing overlooked estate planning strategies, including 529 plans, with a high-net-worth family.

When people think about estate planning, they think about trusts. Irrevocable trusts.Dynasty trusts.SLATs.GRATs. Complex structures with legal language most families don’t fully understand. Very few people think about 529 plans. And that’s a mistake. Because for high-net-worth families, a 529 plan can be far more than a college savings account.

Luxury home in Southlake Texas being considered for short-term rental during the 2026 World Cup.

Airbnb is offering a $750 bonus to new hosts in DFW ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That’s headline-worthy. But the $750 isn’t the story. The story is what a short-term rental during a global event could actually mean for a Southlake homeowner. Why Southlake Is in a Unique

Chart showing the difference between marginal and effective tax rates over a 30-year retirement timeline.

Most people obsess over this year’s tax bill. That’s tactical. High-level tax planning is strategic. The real objective is not minimizing taxes this year. It is minimizing your lifetime effective tax rate. When you zoom out and coordinate contributions, deductions, and conversions across decades, the math becomes powerful. Done properly,

Financial chart illustrating how a high-net-worth family saved over 1 million in estate taxes using 529 plans.

Most advisors talk about trusts when estate taxes come up. Very few talk about 529 plans. And yet, one properly structured 529 strategy saved our client over $1 million in estate taxes — while still allowing them to retain control of the assets. This case study shows how educational planning

Business owner reviewing the disadvantages and hidden fees of a bundled PEO 401(k) retirement plan.

Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) can be helpful. They simplify payroll, HR, benefits administration, and compliance, especially for growing companies. Because of that convenience, many business owners assume it also makes sense to use the PEO’s bundled 401(k). In practice, that’s often a mistake. A retirement plan is a long-term commitment

A business owner reviewing compliance and financial documents for a company 401(k) plan.

I review a lot of 401(k) plans for business owners. And here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear:Most of them are technically “fine.”They pass compliance tests. Contributions go in. Statements go out. But financially?They’re often inefficient, outdated, and quietly costing owners tens—or even hundreds—of thousands of dollars over

Real estate investment tax strategy vs financial planning

Most wealthy individuals invest in real estate for one primary reason: taxes. And to be clear, that logic isn’t flawed. Real estate can be an extremely effective tax-planning tool. Depreciation, income deferral, and long-term capital gains treatment can meaningfully improve after-tax outcomes when structured properly. The issue isn’t that people

Chart showing risk and return profile of hybrid securities vs stocks and bonds

Hybrid securities occupy a space between traditional stocks and bonds. These investments combine income producing features of debt with the growth potential of equity. Companies issue hybrid securities to raise capital while maintaining financial flexibility. Common Types: Preferred Stock & Convertible Bonds Preferred stock represents one of the most common

Business owner planning an exit strategy and valuation for 2026 sale

If you’re thinking about selling your business in 2026, the decisions you make before you go to market will matter far more than the deal terms themselves. For most of my career, I’ve helped business owners exit their companies and transition into the next chapter of their lives. More recently,

Chart showing long term market growth vs short term volatility for investors

Financial markets produce a constant stream of headlines that react to daily price movements, economic data, and global events. News cycles and social media amplify this information, creating a sense of urgency that can feel difficult to ignore. However, short term market noise rarely provides useful insight for investors with