Navigating the complexities of estate planning can feel overwhelming, and many of us are uncertain about how to initiate this crucial conversation with our families

But don’t let your fears of the unknown stop you from planning this important piece of your legacy.

Join guest Lindsey Markus, Asset Protection Attorney and Shareholder Principal at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. as she shares tips for navigating hard conversations around estate planning. Through personal anecdotes and professional guidance, learn how to guide your loved ones to be well-prepared and honor your wishes.

Nicole and Lindsey discuss:

• The complexities of estate planning in blended families and first marriages
• Equitable distribution vs equal distribution
• Strategies to prevent family conflicts when estate planning
• The importance of ongoing review and updates in estate plans
• And more

Resources:

• A Gift For The Future by Lindsey Paige Markus
• How Can Donor Advised Funds Be Used For Estate Planning With Sean Julian (Ep. 27)
• Action Steps After Loss With Delaney Orozco (Ep. 45)
• How to Prepare for the Death of a Loved One With Carrie Shoener (Ep. 46)

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Lindsey Markus:

• LinkedIn: Lindsey Markus
• Chuhak & Tecson

About our Guest:

Lindsey Paige Markus is a licensed attorney in the state of Illinois, Florida, and New York. Lindsey concentrates in the areas of estate planning, asset protection, wealth transfers, and taxation. Lindsey works with business owners and families to formulate succession plans, advise in wealth preservation and various aspects of gift and estate taxation.

Lindsey is also a collaborative law fellow and consults on the estate planning and estate tax implications associated with marriage and divorce.

Passionate about educating clients and advisors, Lindsey has published more than 30 articles. In addition, Lindsey speaks regularly on estate planning, wealth protection, corporate and non-profit issues to groups and through a variety of media appearances.

Have you heard of the 529 plan?

It could be your new key to unlocking a brighter future for your kids while being financially efficient.

Join Nicole Romito as she and her colleague, Colleen Dwyer share the essentials of 529 plans, the tax advantages they offer, and how they can be an integral part of securing the educational futures of your children or grandchildren. Follow along to learn who can contribute, what expenses qualify, and the benefits of starting early.

Nicole and Colleen discuss:

• What a 529 plan is and how the money invested in it can be used
• Differences between state-specific plans and strategic decisions
• Who and what qualifies for a 529 plan
• The tax and financial benefits of a 529 plan and how to set them up properly
• And more

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• MyPrivateVista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Colleen Dwyer:

• LinkedIn: Colleen Dwyer
• MyPrivateVista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

About Our Guest:

Colleen Dwyer’s financial services career began in 2018. As a financial advisor at Private Vista, she develops trusted relationships with clients and collaborates to build a plan that creates financial confidence and independence. She enjoys working with a dedicated and experienced team to deliver personal and critical advice and service, so her clients can be successful both financially and personally.

Colleen loves to spend quality time with her friends and family, and actively participate in her community. She lives with her husband in Lincoln Park and enjoys all the city has to offer – frequent bike rides and trying new restaurants. When not in Chicago, she spends time in Michigan and the western suburbs visiting family. Colleen also loves to travel and looks forward to checking places off her bucket list when she can.

Are you going through a divorce and need some financial wisdom?

Recently Nicole Romito was a guest on The Divorce and Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie. Today’s episode features a replay of an insightful conversation that delves into complex financial issues during and after divorce. Gain insights on matters that arise during divorce – including whether or not to keep the house, how to find hidden assets, and the importance of having an advisor as part of your divorce team.

Learn essential tips to avoid costly mistakes and gain a deeper understanding of financial planning in the context of divorce.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• The role of a financial advisor in the early stages of a divorce
• Tax implications and true walkaway values from investments
• Complexities of dividing retirement plans, pensions, 401(k)s, and other assets
• Navigating executive compensation and ensuring a fair division
• And more

Resources:

• Expensive Mistakes Made in Complex Property Division Cases with Divorce Financial Professional Nicole Romito on The Divorce and Beyond Podcast #308

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Susan Guthrie:

• SusaneGuthrie.com
• The Divorce & Beyond Podcast
• LinkedIn: Susan Guthrie
• Facebook: Susan Guthrie
• Instagram: Susan Guthrie
• Youtube: Susan Guthrie

About Susan Guthrie:

Susan Guthrie, a renowned figure in Family Law and Mediation, has guided individuals and families through separation and divorce for 32 years. She recently co-founded the Mosten Guthrie Academy with mediation expert Forrest “Woody” Mosten, offering cutting-edge training for legal and mediation professionals.

As Chair-Elect of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, Susan is poised to lead the Section in the upcoming bar year. Internationally recognized for her expertise in online mediation and AI in law, she has trained over 25,000 professionals worldwide, including programs for ABA, ADRIC, and NADN.

Recipient of the 2020 L. Randolph Lowry Award from the Southern California Mediation Association, Susan also serves on the Executive Committee of the Online Mediation Training Task Force. Additionally, she hosts two acclaimed podcasts, The Divorce & Beyond® Podcast and “The Make Money Mediating Podcast”.

Jumping into managing your finances can be overwhelming, especially straight out of college.

But don’t worry, this week on Dollar$ and $ense we are replaying a popular episode that includes an insightful conversation about how young adults can build healthy financial habits.

Join Nicole Romito as she chats with Carrie Shoener (nee Mangan) about the importance of saving and investing, tips for maximizing employer contributions to a 401(k), and diversifying retirement savings across different accounts.

Gain insight into:

• 401(k)s, including contribution levels, employer matching, and pre-tax deductions
• The top 3 tips for getting started with investing
• Rules of thumb for housing costs
• Target Date Funds and how they may help you diversify your portfolio with less risk
• The importance of having an emergency fund
• And more!

Resource:

• How to Prepare for the Death of a Loved One With Carrie Shoener (Ep. 46)

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• nromito@myprivatevista.com
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Carrie Shoener:

• LinkedIn: Carrie Shoener
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com

About Our Guest:

Carrie Shoener is an advisor at Private Vista LLC. Her previous work as a high school teacher emphasized how important it is to build strong relationships as the cornerstone of one’s career. That same principle guides her work as an advisor, where she is able to continue helping people solve problems and make empowered decisions about their futures. Carrie sees her role as a trusted and empathetic source of financial education, and she enjoys working with clients to build up their knowledge and understanding of their options.

Reflecting on the loss of a loved one is an agonizing journey nobody willingly embarks on.

Yet, those who take proactive steps to brace themselves for such an inevitable occurrence are often spared the crippling weight of financial burden and the relentless onslaught of emotional upheaval in the aftermath.

Join Nicole Romito as she welcomes her esteemed colleague, Carrie Shoener, to discuss the critical but often overlooked topic of preparing for the death of a loved one. Despite the difficulty, it is essential to have these conversations to ensure that everything is in order and wishes are understood.

Learn key steps and best practices as Nicole and Carrie discuss:

• How to approach the end-of-life conversation with your loved ones
• Strategies for ensuring family members have access to essential documents and passwords
• The importance of having updated financial and estate planning documents
• Tips for sharing sensitive topics with family members to avoid future conflicts
• And more

Resources:

• How to add a Legacy Contact for your Apple ID
• Honoring Your Loved One’s Memory With Alexandra Koys (Ep. 19)
• Mastering Your Finances: Tips for Young Adults with Carrie Shoener (Ep. 21)
• Action Steps After Loss With Delaney Orozco (Ep. 45)

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Carrie Shoener:

• LinkedIn: Carrie Shoener
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com

About Our Guest:

Carrie Shoener is an advisor at Private Vista LLC. Her previous work as a high school teacher emphasized how important it is to build strong relationships as the cornerstone of one’s career. That same principle guides her work as an advisor, where she is able to continue helping people solve problems and make empowered decisions about their futures. Carrie sees her role as a trusted and empathetic source of financial education, and she enjoys working with clients to build up their knowledge and understanding of their options.

Despite the certainty of life’s endpoint, many individuals find themselves unprepared for the emotional and financial implications when a loved one suddenly passes away.

Do you have the right people and processes in place?

Join Nicole Romito and guest Delaney Orozco for an insightful dive into the complexities surrounding the sudden death of a loved one, providing knowledge and compassion for those faced with this challenging situation. From establishing a “key person” to assist with the immediate steps to engaging in self-care practices and managing financial protocols, this episode offers support, guidance, and actionable tips for navigating through one of life’s most difficult times.

Nicole and Delaney discuss:

• The importance of identifying a “key person” for immediate and supportive action
• Developing practical checklists for financial and personal affairs
• The significance of self-care and seeking emotional support during the grieving process
• The different roles of importance such as trustees, executors, and powers of attorney
• And more

Resources:

• Why Women Belong in the Wealth Management Industry With Delaney Orozco and Stephanie Nanney (Ep. 15)
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Power of attorney
• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Trustee
• When a loved one dies and debt collectors come calling

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Delaney Orozco:

• LinkedIn: Delaney Orozco
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

About Our Guest:

Delaney Orozco, CFP®, began in the financial services industry in 2015 as a service advisor. Throughout her career, she has focused on finding the intersection between the day-to-day processes of the financial world and bigger-picture planning, with the goal of assisting her clients in achieving their private vista. Delaney also has a deep passion for developing guides for her clients, helping them navigate the psychology behind finance and the numbers they see on the page. Her experience as a collegiate athlete has...

Ever wondered how your credit score affects your life beyond loans and credit cards?

Join Nicole Romito alongside relationship banker at Wintrust Bank, Kenneth Ashford for a deep dive into the far-reaching effects of credit. From the basics of starting your credit journey to advanced strategies for maximizing your score, Kenneth sheds light on the critical role credit plays in financial health and decision-making. Follow along for a comprehensive overview, essential for anyone looking to enhance their financial literacy and navigate the credit landscape effectively.

Nicole and Kenneth discuss:

• The importance of establishing a healthy credit foundation early on
• Key components that impact your credit score and tips on how to improve it
• Common myths about credit and how to avoid misuse
• Real-life implications of credit scores on renting apartments, securing loans, and more

Resources:

• Annual Credit Report

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Kenneth Ashford:

• Wintrust Bank
• LinkedIn: Kenneth Ashford
• Email: kashford@wintrust.com

About Our Guest:

Kenneth Ashford is currently a relationship banker and officer at Wintrust Bank. However, his professional journey spans over four decades, predominantly in customer service roles, showcasing his extensive background in the field.

In this final installment of this two-part series, host Nicole Romito and guest Matt Parenti delve into executive compensation, providing valuable insights for navigating this complex realm. They discuss essential strategies for maximizing compensation plans, minimizing risk, addressing tax implications, and integrating these elements into long-term financial planning to achieve personal goals.

Nicole and Matt discuss:

• Strategies to maximize different executive compensation plans
• Techniques for reducing exposure in equity and share investments
• Tax implications related to various compensation components
• Aligning executive compensation with long-term financial planning and charitable giving
• And more

Resources:

• Strategies for Maximizing Executive Compensation with Matt Parenti – Part One (Ep. 42)

Connect with Nicole Romito:

• LinkedIn: Nicole Romito
• MyPrivateVista.com
• info@myprivatevista.com
• Call: 312-831-4370

Connect with Matt Parenti:

• Private Vista – Matt Parenti
• LinkedIn: Matt Parenti

About Matt Parenti:

Matt Parenti is a seasoned financial planner specializing in assisting corporate executives, startup entrepreneurs, and business owners. With a focus on legacy planning, Matt ensures his clients’ financial security and longevity. He is deeply committed to building meaningful relationships, both professionally and personally. As Chair of the Growth & Marketing Committee at his firm, he emphasizes the importance of the “Private Vista Experience” for clients and colleagues alike. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Economics and a Minor in International Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, along with a Master’s Degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame.

Outside of work, Matt treasures time with family and friends, enjoys outdoor activities, and seeks to share his knowledge through mentorship and teaching.