Wealth Management, Finance & Investing Blog

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.

If you grew up outside the United States, holding multiple currencies and having international investments is almost second nature. And while global diversification has long been a cornerstone of prudent investment strategy for all investors inside and outside the U.S., it has mostly meant allocating across asset classes and geographies. Today, diversification has taken on a broader approach, particularly for globally mobile families, who are now exploring taking direct positions in foreign cur

For most of human history, technological progress has been slow and predictable. Generations lived and died using the same tools. The leap from stone tools to controlled fire took millions of years. Even after that, breakthroughs like agriculture, writing, and the wheel were separated by thousands of years. Then came the industrial and digital revolutions. The pace accelerated dramatically: the Wright brothers’ first powered flight in 1903 was followed by the moon landing just 66 years later. C

If your company offers an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), you might be leaving free money on the table or taking on more risk than you realize. ESPPs can be one of the most powerful return enhancers available to employees, but only when used intentionally and as part of a broader plan. This blog will break down how ESPPs work, how to make the most of them, and how to avoid the tax traps that trip up many professionals. How Do ESPPs Work? ESPPs allow you to buy your company’s stock through

The months leading up to an IPO can feel like a countdown to payday. You’ve been working at a private company for years, collecting RSUs or options, and now there’s a real timeline for liquidity. But IPOs aren’t just about dollar signs; they come with lockups, taxes, restrictions, and timing challenges that can dramatically affect your outcome. Whether you’re a startup veteran or a first-time equity holder, here’s how to approach the IPO window with clarity and confidence. Step 1: Know What You

IRC Section 1202 provides one of the most powerful tax benefits in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) to entrepreneurs and investors. Section 1202 provides an exclusion from taxation to a qualified investor of up to $10-15 million of capital gain or 10 times the stockholder’s adjusted cost basis, whichever is greater, upon the sale of Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS). Why is the range of potentially excluded capital gain between $10-15 million? A look back at past and more recent legisla

After joining Wealthspire Advisors roughly a year ago from the world of private banking, Mike Santo, Managing Director, noticed a common theme in portfolio discussions: many clients don’t feel like they have a firm grasp on their overall asset allocation. Similarly, Mike Bueti, CFP®, AVP, Advisor, who transitioned into an advisory role after years of working in portfolio management and reporting, brings firsthand knowledge of how data complexity can stand in the way of clarity. His experience u

As a BigLaw partner, the demands of client work often leave little time for your own personal financial planning, so it’s not uncommon to feel underprepared when it comes to retirement. The good news is, we can help. Just as your clients rely on your expertise to make critical decisions, you can rely on us to guide your own retirement planning. Through our experience working with many BigLaw partners preparing for or currently in retirement, here are six key areas to consider. Clarify Your Idea

When your Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) vest, you’ve already earned the money. Now it’s time to think strategically about managing risk, not proving loyalty. For many professionals, that moment can feel like a vote of confidence, and it’s tempting to treat those shares as something to hold onto. But for most people, the smarter default is to sell. RSUs Are Compensation Let’s begin with a mindset shift. RSUs are not a gift, or a bonus; they are a form of compensation, just like a paycheck or a y

Equity compensation can quietly transform your balance sheet, especially if you’ve been at a successful company for a long time. Over the years, RSUs vest, stock options accumulate, ESPPs build, and suddenly, a single company represents a huge percentage of your net worth. For many professionals who are nearing retirement or major life transitions, this raises an uncomfortable question: “Am I too concentrated in company stock and what do I do about it?” Let’s talk through how to assess concentr

Part of aging is accepting that any one of us may face mental or physical health challenges along the way. When a serious diagnosis like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s occurs, it can feel overwhelming. For the family, too, this moment is significant. It doesn’t just involve planning for the individual with the diagnosis; it also means needing to protect and inform the entire care system. A well-organized incapacity plan can offer legal protection, clarity, control and emotional steadiness during un

Whether you’re early in your career, raising a family, or preparing for retirement, building a thoughtful budget is one of the most effective ways to gain control over your financial life.