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New York, NY – November 3, 2025 – With the completion of the sale of five businesses from NFP/Aon to Madison Dearborn Partners on Oct. 30, 2025, Wealthspire has established itself as a newly-formed independent firm to serve clients across the wealth, institutional, and retirement markets. The firm brings together Wealthspire Advisors, Fiducient Advisors, Newport Private Wealth, Wealthspire Retirement Advisory (formerly a segment of NFP Retirement), and Ground Control Business Management, integr

Investing isn’t about chasing trends or picking the latest hot stock — it’s about building a strategy that can withstand different market environments and keep you aligned with your long-term goals.

An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is more than just a retirement benefit. ESOPs are a key part of powerful business and succession planning strategy. Unlike an ESPP, which involves buying stock, an ESOP is primarily funded by the company, either through contributions of stock, or cash to buy stock. For business owners, ESOPs can serve as a way to gradually transfer ownership, gain liquidity, and reward employees who help build the company’s success. For employees, ESOPs create an own

An Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) is a benefit offered by many public companies that allows employees to purchase company stock at a discounted price, often through automatic payroll deductions. ESPPs can be a powerful tool to build wealth over time when used strategically, especially for employees aiming to invest in their company while optimizing tax benefits. How ESPPs Work Employees opt into the ESPP during specified enrollment periods and select the percentage of their paycheck to con

An asset protection trust (APT) is a lawful estate planning vehicle designed to shield assets from unknown future creditor claims, lawsuits, or judgments by placing those assets in a trust governed by enforceable spendthrift protections. Depending on the structure, an APT can let the settlor benefit from trust assets while reducing the risk that creditors can reach them. APTs range from offshore structures to Domestic Asset Protection Trusts (DAPTs) which are legal in certain states. How Does a

A directed trust is a type of trust where certain investment, business, and distribution powers are bifurcated from the administrative trustee powers and assigned to Direction Advisors who hold the power and responsibility to carry out those functions. Unlike a traditional delegated trust relationship, where a single trustee manages all administrative, investment, business and distribution roles, a directed trust allows a settlor (trust creator) to separate responsibilities among multiple fiduc

Golden parachutes are often in the headlines when high level executives exit a company, especially during mergers and acquisitions. A golden parachute is a contractual agreement that provides a significant financial benefit to top executives if they are terminated following a merger, acquisition, or other change in corporate control. These agreements often include a lump sum cash payout, usually 1-3x the executive’s base salary and bonus, along with accelerated vesting of st

At Wealthspire, we help clients and families with special needs children with their financial and estate plan to make sure those children are provided for as they become adults. While a child with disabilities is still in school, it’s critical to understand their rights and the services available to help determine the best course of action for their education and obtain the services needed to help them progress in their educational journey. What are your child’s rights? The Individual with Disa

A sale of a business is a complex and emotionally significant event. It requires a thoughtful, long-term strategy that addresses not only the business’s financial health but also the family’s legacy and future well-being. The below illustrates just some of the many considerations when thinking about and planning for the sale of your business. Part 1: Corporate Planning A potential buyer will look at your business through a specific lens… can the future owner maximize their return on investment

Equity compensation can be a powerful wealth-building tool, but it also comes with some of the most common and costly tax surprises we see each year. As December approaches, employees with RSUs, stock options, and ESPPs often find themselves blindsided by unexpected tax bills, underpayment penalties, or missed planning opportunities. If you’ve received equity this year or exercised options, sold company stock, or had a big vesting event, this is your chance to get ahead of the year-end crunch.