Our Blog - Surety Matters

As the name implies, an irrevocable trust is generally difficult to modify, once created. Despite this, irrevocable trusts can be a helpful way to protect assets as well as assure eligibility for public benefits, like…
Read Moreabout Irrevocable Trust Problem? Decant!

These are three different and important fiduciary roles. During estate planning, families will make the appropriate designations depending on their circumstances–and sometimes, all three might ultimately be needed. Read on to understand more about the…
Read Moreabout Executor, Guardian, Conservator?

For plan sponsors, increased cyber threats to the retirement accounts of plan participants bring a rising risk of allegations of fiduciary breaches. Experts stress that to prevent “catastrophic results,” plan sponsors need to monitor the…
Read Moreabout Prediction: More Cybersecurity Lawsuits

Regulators at both the IRS and the DOL have been urging increased effort to address the challenge of missing participants and distribute benefits on schedule. Experts remind plan sponsors that diligent action is insufficient: search…
Read Moreabout Missing Participants? Document The Search

After the expenses of an estate are paid, and the assets specified in wills and trusts distributed, what remains unaccounted for is referred to as the residuary estate.  Books, furniture, jewelry, and other household and…
Read Moreabout Residuary Estate?

Unlike those running and hiding games we play in our youth, illness, capacity declines and death are real. Rather than avoiding them, estate planning is best–for the good of our own selves and everyone we…
Read Moreabout Ready or Not…

It’s certainly an understatement to say that attending to the high standards of ERISA results in plenty for retirement plan sponsors to take responsibility for. Fortunately, an Educational Policy Statement (EPS) is not a requirement….
Read Moreabout Educational Policy Statement: Required?

As protocols for environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment options continue to be murky, a new class action complaint puts the spotlight on the fiduciary duty of prudence. Essentially, this latest class action lawsuit accuses…
Read Moreabout Retirement Funds: Performance vs ESG

ERISA, the Employment Retirement Security Act of 1974, established the standards governing employer sponsored retirement and health plans. For the protection of participants, ERISA considers sponsors fiduciaries and holds them to exceptionally high standards. Read…
Read Moreabout ERISA 3(16) Fiduciary Explained