The Heckerling Estate Planning Institute, sponsored by the University of Miami (Coral Gables) School of Law, was held in Orlando, FL, the week of January 12th. This was the 59th consecutive year of the conference, bringing together more than 4,100 attendees, consisting of wealth managers, probate attorneys, accountants, life insurance professionals, trust officers, charitable planned giving officers, financial planners and IRS Estate and Gift Tax Agents. Heckerling is the largest such gathering and has long been regarded as the Platinum Standard for practitioners representing clients throughout the U.S. and abroad. Each session is conducted by a distinguished probate practitioner or law school scholar. Discussed below are some of the current pressing topics of interest to clients served by Carnegie Investment Counsel.

Divorce can be emotionally and financially challenging, but with careful financial planning during divorce, you can navigate this difficult phase with confidence. Here are the financial strategies you need to get through this arduous time and build a secure future.

As a parent, you want to prepare your children to navigate the world confidently, and that includes the world of money. Instilling healthy financial habits from an early age will help set them on the path to being financially responsible children. But how do you know if you’re instilling those essential habits? Here are six tips: 

Early retirement can be an enticing idea, but it requires careful consideration and planning.

Retirement…the golden phase of life that many of us aspire to achieve, where we can bid farewell to the daily grind and embrace the freedom to pursue our passions. Yet there is a lot to consider before making the leap, even if you have the financial resources available. 

Social Security benefits play a crucial role in retirement planning, and deciding when to claim them can have a significant impact on your financial future. Making an informed decision requires careful consideration of several factors. So, how do you know the optimal time to claim Social Security benefits?

Navigating the market can be challenging even in favorable conditions, but the task becomes even more daunting during periods of volatility. It's especially beneficial to rely on effective portfolio risk management strategies during those times. 

Building wealth is a significant achievement but preserving it for future generations is another accomplishment entirely. A legacy of financial stability requires careful planning and strategic decision-making because wealth preservation goes beyond accumulating assets; it involves a comprehensive approach to protecting and growing wealth while minimizing risks and mitigating potential challenges. 

Originally published in 2023. Updated October 2026 to reflect current custodial data and market context.

In times of market volatility and financial headlines about bank stability, investors are once again asking an important question: Is my money safe?

We’ve been writing about this topic for several years, and it continues to be relevant today. As fiduciary advisors, we want to revisit how your assets are protected—and why we partner with third-party custodians like Schwab and Fidelity.

As a fiduciary advisor, we have maintained an arms-length approach to the selection of a client’s custodian, preferring to remain impartial and allowing the client to decide. Since there is a wide variety of options: banks, brokerage firms, discount brokerage firms, etc., there is also great variance in the quality and cost of services.

We have historically suggested using Charles Schwab or Fidelity due to their size, low cost, service teams and independence. While clients still choose to use US Bank, Raymond James, PNC and others, with the preponderance of the assets we manage at Schwab and Fidelity, we will focus on these two custodians for this discussion. Schwab completed its acquisition and full integration of TD Ameritrade in 2023, consolidating custodial services under the Schwab platform.

No one likes to think about falling victim to a scam or suffering a medical emergency, but the sobering truth is that these situations do occur. If this type of trouble arises, you may need someone to advocate for you or serve as your liaison. Having a trusted contact is extremely important when it pertains to the management and protection of your finances. 

Here’s how to begin the process of adding a trusted contact to your financial advisor account to prevent any disconnect.

Storing important documents, like financial statements from your financial advisor, isn’t just a matter of organization: It’s key to keeping your information safe and limiting the risk of identity theft. Here’s everything you need to know about storing important documents at home or online.