Author: hamiltonnorwich
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Tax deduction changes you should know about NOW
Itemized deductions are back in the driver’s seat with major relief from the state and local income tax cap, effective for 2025. But OBBBA is coming for the casual contributor to charity, so prefund your giving if you can!
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New Blog: The Trust Fund Whisperer
Millions of Americans are beneficiaries of trust funds-a fact that many of them have mixed feelings about and keep very secret. I’ve started a new Substack blog to demystify trusts for beneficiaries and help them be more intentional with how they use this privilege.
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Hands off your 401(k)!
Folks who have recently been laid off: I’m begging you, DO NOT TOUCH YOUR 401(k) FOR LIVING EXPENSES RIGHT NOW!!!! If you sell your 401(k) investments for cash right now, you’re going to lock in these awful market losses. Plus if it’s a traditional account, you’re going to pay ordinary income tax on every dollar…
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Mutual support in times of job loss
When you need financial advice the most is often when you can afford it the least. To provide mutual support in these tough times, I’m offering 50% off my regular hourly rate to clients who are currently unemployed or trying to find a foothold in self-employment.
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Self-determination in life and death times
What will happen to me if the worst comes to pass? If I’m so injured or ill that I can’t speak for myself to medical professionals? If I’m unlawfully or unjustly detained? If I die? What will happen to my loved ones, especially those who are dependent on me? These are extremely unpleasant things to…
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Free webinar: What is estate planning and why does everyone need it?
Welcome to 2025! This year I’m going to be rolling out a series of free webinars on essential financial planning topics. These won’t be prepackaged content from financial institutions, but my unique presentations developed from many years of observing what types of questions clients often have. Did you know my undergraduate studies were in secondary…
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Celebrating a banner first year of independent advising
Curious Financial Counsel is celebrating the completion of its first year of independent advising. With the help of great legal mentorship, best-in-class technology, and wonderful clients and friends, I’ve been able to realize my vision of integrating financial, tax, and estate planning, all provided under a fiduciary standard and independent from any corporate profit pressures.
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Who is there for you in an emergency?
If a professional treating you in a medical emergency doesn’t know your wishes to the contrary, they will turn to state “next of kin” rules to find a decision-maker. These are based on traditional notions of who you “belong” to, not necessarily who knows you best and cares about you.
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Unpopular opinion: Behavioral finance is problematic
It’s widely accepted among financial professionals today that incorporating client psychology is how we distinguish ourselves from robot/AI advice. But what kind of “psychology” are we talking about? And is the goal to understand clients better and empower them, or is it to manipulate their behaviors?
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FAQs: State and other licensing (updated Dec 2024)
Many of my acquaintances and curious potential clients are attorneys and other smart people who want to know about my licensing to work with clients in different states or on specific types of finance-related issues. I love your questions and consumer savvy! I’m going to address these licensing-type questions here to save time for both…
Curious Financial Counsel 