Category Archives: wealth preservation

Robo-advisors: Much Ado About Nothing?

I just finished reading an article about a recent debate between noted financial advisor Ric Edelman and Adam Nash, CEO of robo-advisor Wealthfront. Interestingly, Edelman suggested that robo-advisors would put many financial advisors out of business. My position is simple. … Continue reading

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Whoomp, There It is! – The New Prudent Fee Fiduciary Standard

“Essential to the plausibility of plaintiffs’ claims was the allegation that the Affiliated Funds ‘charged higher fees than those charged by comparable Vanguard funds-in some instances fees were more than 200 percent higher than those comparable funds’”. With those words … Continue reading

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Death, Divorce and LaRue: 401(k) Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claims as Assets In Divorce and Probate Cases

In 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down their landmark decision in LaRue v. DeWolff, Boberg and Associates, Inc.(1) In LaRue, the Court finally recognized the fundamental difference between defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution pension … Continue reading

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The Art of Fiduciary Investing: Controlling the Controllable

“[I]nvesting intelligently is about controlling the controllable.” Ben Graham, “The Intelligent Investor” The world of fiduciary investing is going through a significant stage, as more attention is being focused on various issues such as advisory fees, annual fees charged by … Continue reading

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THE Key Factor in Liability Risk Management

I was at a conference recently to serve on a panel to discuss various fiduciary issues, including FINRA Regulatory Notice 12-25 and the universal fiduciary standard. When I am at a conference, I rarely attend other presentations for the very … Continue reading

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Four Faces of Fiduciary Prudence

In defining prudence, ERISA’s rules and regulations state that [A] fiduciary shall discharge his duties with respect to a plan solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries…with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing … Continue reading

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Quantum Meruit and “Other” Compliance Challenges

When I was a compliance director, my biggest frustration was not being able to share certain legal information with the broker-dealer’s registered representatives and those who maintained independent RIAs. I understood the BD’s position, namely that volunteering such information potentially … Continue reading

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2014 – Brave New Fiduciary World

2014 promises to be a important year for fiduciary liability issues. ERISA advisers, sponsors and attorneys await the Court of Appeals’ decision in Tussey v. ABB,Inc. and its impact on fiduciary issues such as prudence, loyalty and due diligence. If … Continue reading

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“Hidden” Assets – Potential Liability Implications of the LaRue Decision for Attorneys and Fiduciaries

During a recent deposition of an executor, I asked the executor, a bank trust officer, whether the bank had evaluated the defined contribution plan in which the deceased had participated. The trust officer replied that the funds in deceased’s account … Continue reading

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