3 Reasons Your Spouse or Partner Should be Included During Planning Conversations

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
3 Reasons Your Spouse or Partner Should be Included During Planning Conversations

Have you and your spouse discussed your retirement plans?  In the 2017 study, Age Wave/ Merrill Lynch, “Finances in Retirement: New Challenges, New Solutions” showed that only 16 percent of pre-retirees older than 50 feel prepared for a 20-year retirement.  

Personally, I found that to be a truly sobering statistic.  As a Certified Financial Planner™ I’ve seen the importance and difference working with a professional to develop and follow a financial plan can make.  Also, I know there is a significant need in our country to help individuals plan their finances and retirements.  However, I was shocked to see a number less than 20 percent!  

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“I’ve Been Granted a Stock Option from My Employer. What’s Next”? - Understanding Your Executive Compensation

/ Castle Wealth Advsiors, LLC/
“I’ve Been Granted a Stock Option from My Employer. What’s Next”? - Understanding Your Executive Compensation

Many employers will grant company stock options to executives and key employees as a way to incentivize them to remain at a company and tie their incentives to increased production/ profitability of the company.  If you have received a stock option from your employer you probably have several questions.  

To fully understand your benefit, you need know what is an Incentive Stock Optionsor ISO and what the similarities/ differences between Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)and Non-Qualified Stock Option (NQSOs).  This knowledge will help you to identify and better manage your options. 

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Social Security Benefits and You Retirement Plan:

/ CastleWealth Advisors, LLC/
Social Security Benefits and You Retirement Plan:

Many individuals have difficulty understanding how their Social Security Retirement Benefits are calculated and questions about the impact of taking retirement benefits early or waiting receive them.


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Small Businesses Need Retirement Plans Too- Retirement Planning for Your Small Business

/ Castle Wealth Advsiors, LLC/
Small Businesses Need Retirement Plans Too- Retirement Planning for Your Small Business

Providing a retirement plan for your business can be beneficial to both you as an owner and your employees.  With the move away from pension plans many individuals will be relying more heavily on their own savings to provide income during retirement.  One of the best tools we have to create retirement savings is a plan through their employer. 

If you are considering creating a retirement plan for your small business you have several options.  Below will be a discussion about a few of those options.  This is not an exhaustive list and there may be some plan types that will benefit you more than another.  Prior to implementing a plan you should consult with a seasoned professional (financial advisor and tax advisor) who can help you select the plan that will best fit your small business.  The contribution limits and tax deductions can vary from plan to plan and year to year. So, it is advised to work with a trusted advisor.

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Investing for Small Business Owners:  3 Tips to a Better Portfolio

/ Castle Wealth Advisros, LLC/
Investing for Small Business Owners:  3 Tips to a Better Portfolio

For many small business owners, their business is their biggest asset as well as the largest producer of their family’s income. Business owners are entrepreneurs and are generally more comfortable taking on risks. For these reasons, small business owners face unique challenges when considering and selecting investments for their portfolios, and it’s important to keep in mind some basic investment principals. Not doing so can cause business owners to take on too much risk unnecessarily and can endanger their business and their income.

Here are three tips that small business owners should use to guide their investing decisions:

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Understanding the Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Certified Financial Planner™

/ Castle Wealth Advisros, LLC/
Understanding the Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Certified Financial Planner™

You more than likely have seen Financial Professionals call themselves by different titles.  And like many other consumers you may be confuse about the differences, or if there are any differences. If you have ever wondered about the difference between your friend’s Certified Financial Planner™ and your Financial Advisor, keep reading to find out. 

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Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC Partners with NMS Capital Advisors, LLC

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/

Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC., a hybrid Register Investment Advisors located in Los Angeles; Ca. has partnered with NMS Capital Advisors, LLC (“NMS”) a leading global focused investment banking and asset management firm.

Founded in 2006, NMS Capital Advisors, LLC is a leading full service investment banking, securities and wealth management firm headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. NMS provides a full array of investment banking and advisory services including debt and equity capital raising for public and private companies, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border advisory, private equity and hedge fund advisory, valuations and fairness opinions, EB-5 capital advisory, securities brokerage and other strategic advisory services. 

Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC looks forward to working with NMS Capital Advisors, LLC to increase the depth and breath of wealth management, alternative investments, insurance and asset management services offerings. 

NMS Capital Advisors is registered broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are members of the following:

·      Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)

·      Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB)

·      Securities Investors Protections Corporation (SIPC)

 

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/ /
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Heather Castle

I am originally from Virginia and grew up in Tuscaloosa, Al.  I completed both of my degrees at the University of Alabama.  My undergrad degree in Finance and then later my MBA from the Manderson Business School through their Executive MBA program. 

I started Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC because I wanted to provide ethical and approachable financial planning and investment management to individuals and business owners, concerned with their financial futures, regardless of age, sex, race, or net worth.

I've always believed clients should work with reputable, qualified, and experienced advisors.  So it was important to me to gain industry experience as well as pursuing additional industry specific designations.  I have passed the following licensing exams:

     Series 7, General Securities Representative

     Series 66, Investment Advisor Representative 

     Series 9 & 10, General Securities Sales Supervisor

     California Life, Health, and Variable Insurance (License #0K01554)

I have been in the financial services industry since 2006 and have work with many differing type of clients over the years.  One thing I know to be true, everyone wants to feel heard and cared about.  Meaning everyone I have ever worked with wants to feel like their desires, wants and needs have been heard and taken into consideration when speaking about their personal financial matters.

Many people have the same goals, they just express them differently, and then there are a few who’s view and desires are completely different.  This is one of the aspects I love about my job.  The PEOPLE!  I get to meet some many interesting people and they challenge me daily.  No day in my line of work is the same.  Today I could be planning for a family who owns a small business and tomorrow working with a women going through a painful divorce.  Listening and building financial plans and strategies around personal needs is why many of my clients have said they do business with me and have stayed with me. 

Another reason I love my job… I get to truly HELP people.  I get to make a living and provide for my family while helping others.  Over my career I have felt a need to dive deeper into financial planning and working with high net worth individuals who have greater planning and investing needs.  Listed below I have highlighted a few of the areas I specialize in:

·      Women in transition (divorce/ death)

·      Corporate Executives

·      Young Entrepreneurs

·      Small Business Owners

·      Family with Special Needs Members

·      Complex Retirement and Estate Planning Needs

Currently I live in Brentwood and really enjoy the West Side of Los Angeles.  I am actively involved with the Junior League of Los Angeles.  I have a passion for trying new things and new experiences.  So, in my free time I love traveling and scuba diving.  I also am interested in learning French, taking pilot’s lessons and dancing the tango!

How Has Your Estate Planning Been Impacted By the New Tax Law

/ Castle Welath Advisors, LLC/
How Has Your Estate Planning Been Impacted By the New Tax Law

Now that tax season is over.  Take a moment to ask yourself if your Estate plan needs to be reviewed.  Many individuals and families are finding they may need to check in with their financial planner and attorney to understand how the new tax law may impact their estate plan.  

An Estate plan, just like a piece of real estate, needs periodic maintenance and care to make sure it’s in good shape when you need it most. 

Provisions in the newly passed GOP tax plan mean it’s time to review a handful of key areas in your estate plan. Below are five areas you should pay attention:

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5 Retirement Saving Tips for Anyone

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
5 Retirement Saving Tips for Anyone

We all know the importance of planning and saving for retirement; we hear it everywhere we go.  We can point to statistics, articles, and studies that all tells us the responsibility of retirement savings is being placed more and more onto the individual worker.  While we may know this and hear it from multiple outlets, how much action are individuals and business owners actually taking?

 

Here are 5 tips to help save for your retirement that anyone can use:

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Is it the Right Time to Franchise Your Business?

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
Is it the Right Time to Franchise Your Business?

When a business owner wants to expand his business concept across a region or the country, franchising can be an attractive option. 

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