This article was originally published in the October 2026 edition of the Traverse City Business News. Most financial plans are built around two people sharing income, decisions, and responsibilities. When one spouse passes away, those...
September 2026 Insights: With Fall Approaching, Begin Preparing for Year-End
Fall marks the beginning of a busy planning season at Black Walnut, as we prepare for year-end decisions any personal changes that may affect the broader financial picture.
Does Your Spouse Know the Financial Plan as Well as You Do?
In many households, one spouse naturally takes the lead on financial matters. They may be the person who talks with the financial advisor, reviews investments, tracks accounts, handles tax documents, or coordinates with an estate...
August 2026 Insights: As Summer Winds Down, a Few Things Worth Reviewing
As summer begins to wind down across Northern Michigan, the pace starts to shift. Visitors head home, students return to school, and busy days on the water gradually give way to quieter routines.
Is Too Much of Your Wealth Riding on One Asset?
This article was originally featured in the August 2026 edition of the Traverse City Business News. For many successful families in Northern Michigan, wealth wasn’t built through a perfectly balanced portfolio. It was built through...
The 529 Plan to Roth IRA Rollover: What Grandparents Should Know – Forbes
This article was originally published at Forbes.com in February 2024 but has been updated to align with 2026 information. Click here for a link to the original article. For families saving money for college, 529 savings plans...
July 2026 Insights: Summer Planning, Market Momentum, and Liquidity
Summer is in full swing across Northern Michigan. For many families, that means lake days, boat rides, time at the cottage, visits from kids and grandkids, and a calendar full of the people and places...
Summer on the Water: Is Your Wealth as Liquid as You Think?
In Northern Michigan, summer often revolves around water. Lake days, boat rides, and family time at the cottage are part of what many families have worked hard to enjoy. They’re also a good reminder to...
June 2026 Insights: Coordinating Advice for Affluent Families
Affluent families often have several trusted professionals involved in their financial lives, including a financial advisor, CPA, estate planning attorney, insurance professional, and others. Each plays an important role, but the real value often comes...
The Value Of Coordinated Advice For Affluent Families
For many affluent families, financial life has a way of becoming more complex over time. What may have started with saving, investing, and planning for retirement can eventually grow into a broader set of decisions...