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Estate Planning

Our role is to help safeguard the assets you have worked so hard to achieve in an estate plan, and when appropriate, we help you pass those assets to the next generation or to causes they support. There are three stages in your financial life that are important to estate planning: The Accumulation stage, the Retention stage, and the Distribution stage. 

Pete Peters with estate planning client

Accumulation Stage


In the Accumulation Stage, clients are accumulating assets. These assets include 401(k)'s, IRA's, investment accounts, real property, and home equity. The typical financial tools used in the Accumulation Stage are:

  • Life insurance for wealth creation (in the event of the premature death of a breadwinner)
  • Disability insurance for income protection of the breadwinner
  • Retirement and investment plans to accumulate assets

Retention Stage 

In the Retention Stage, clients are nearing retirement and have a nest egg that they need to protect. During the Retention stage, asset protection plans are essential. There are several risk categories that we monitor. These include investment risk, tax risk, inflation risk, health risk, and litigation risk. 

Distribution Stage

Clients are ready to retire in the Distribution stage and begin drawing an income from their retirement assets. In the Distribution stage, we will collaborate with your attorney to ensure you have the proper wills, gifting programs (UGMA or UTMA), and trust services. 

Estate Management Resources

Estate Management Presentation - Learn more about estate management and planning through our "Principles of Preserving Wealth" presentation.

Estate Management Checklist - View our checklist to see what components of your estate may still need work. From trust management to life insurance, we'll help you get everything in order.