Most people seem to avoid this topic, not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know where to start. However, having the right documents and details organized ahead of time can remove a huge amount of confusion and emotional strain later.  

This article outlines the essentials. For help organizing everything in one clear place, download our free guide. This is not legal advice, and it’s not about drafting documents. This checklist is about making sure the right information exists and can be found when it matters most.  

If you've spent a lifetime working hard, building wealth, and providing for your family, it can be difficult to think about entrusting it to someone else. But from my personal experience as well as guiding clients through it, it’s better to have a plan and let it evolve as seamlessly as possible so that it doesn’t become a burden to your precious loved ones down the road. 

When you work or volunteer for a nonprofit agency, your work is important and valuable. You might even say you are “doing good in the neighborhood!” When you combine your nonprofit mission with strong financial management you can make an even greater impact for those you serve.

Strong financial management is critical to the success of nonprofit organizations and helps them be more effective. This is true now more than ever, with the impact of COVID placing increased demand on financial resources. It helps to enlist the support of a qualified financial advisor to help navigate your nonprofit through volatile times.

So, what’s the case for engaging a nonprofit financial advisor for your organization? Here are some key benefits:

Few financial planning concepts are as misunderstood as trusts. What trusts are and whether you need one are two questions that often arise when talking with a financial advisor. Here are some fundamentals of trust planning: 

Since 1907, "Be Prepared” has been the motto for millions of Boy and Girl Scouts around  the world. The expression represents the constant readiness and willingness in both mind and body to do the right thing at the right moment. You don’t have to be a scout to understand the motto applies to all of us. Here are five components of a strong financial plan:

This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated to reflect current resources as of February 2026.

Have you had the talk yet?  No, not “that talk”.  To mix a metaphor, the birds and the bees are already out of the barn at this point. 

The talk we're refering to here is about your financial plan. The next time your family gathers for a holiday or special occasion may be a good opportunity to start the conversation. Below are some practical tips you can use to get the conversation started.