process of selecting a product category, length of investment period, tax qualification, risk ratio, and rate of return needed to obtain portfolio expectations. With written realistic guide lines, the process of identifying the appropriate investment to fulfill a specific job becomes much easier. The financial industry has accepted guidelines for the type of investment alternatives that are designed for retirement objectives opposed to wealth building or legacy planning. With the appropriate investment category identified for each goal, it is time to select the company with whom you place the asset. The market place is very competitive and due diligence is recommended to insure you select the best alternative. The best Company may not always be the one that records the highest return or has the flashiest marketing materials. Look at management style, investment objectives, industry rating and how it performs in both Bear and Bull markets before you sign on the dotted line.
Last, but from my perspective certainly not the least, do not be afraid to enlist a cadre of professionals to assist in the design and ultimate success of your plan. A successful portfolio is not the same as a financial plan. A trusted financial advisor can assist in the development and execution of each step of your plan to include the investment selection and enrollment. Seek the advice of a tax professional when coordinating your investment choices to insure a portfolio designed to maximum tax efficiency during the three phases of investing; accumulation, distribution, and legacy. All good things at some point must come to an end. The success of the final step of your plan may well be realized through the efficient passing of assets to the next generation. While your financial advisor and tax professional should be involved in this process, an Estate Attorney is the most qualified to place generational assets in the appropriate legal vehicle, be it a Trust or a Will. The retention of an attorney and use of legal vehicles such as trusts can provide tax efficiencies, and
can protect the Estate from the costs, delays, and complications associated with probate. Now for the most important and final question! Five frogs were sitting on a log. Three of the frogs where thinking about jumping, How many frogs are still sitting on the log? We have addressed the “Things That Matter� when dealing with portfolio procrastination. Like the frogs though, thinking about jumping does not get you off the log. It is time to jump! Lee Lawrence Signature Financial Solutions LLC 8128 Old Federal Road Montgomery, AL. 36117 www.signaturefinancialsolutionsllc.com 334-546-7597 Lee Lawrence is an investment advisor representative of and securities are offered through, USA Financial Securities Corporation. Member FINRA/SIPC A Registered Investment Advisor. 6020 E. Fulton St., Ada, MI. 49301. Signature Financial Solutions LLC is not affiliated with USA Financial Securities.
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April 2014
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