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Liquidity, in simplest terms, is the ability to meet your financial obligations, to cover your interest, principal and expenses. It is commonly thought of ready cash or the ability to convert assets to cash, quickly and without a loss. Why is liquidity important? Having enough cash to handle those shocks and surprises that inevitably occur will hel...

Altair looks at why bank custody ensures greater safety of client assets in this Worth magazine article.

One of the greatest concerns among wealthy parents is that the family’s great fortune might inadvertently lead to misfortune for their children. Raising responsible children in affluence is a life-long task requiring patience and persistence. Like learning to read, financial literacy is a process that is best started in early childhood. Teachable m...

Under certain conditions, illiquid wealth can quickly evaporate, or worse – assets can suddenly start to behave like liabilities. If you are successful, then you are wealthy – on paper. Illiquid assets carry a high potential for risk on the balance sheet. But individuals who hold illiquid assets tend to have many wealth planning opportu...

The fundamental problem with the art and collectibles market is opaqueness in transactions. This article explains how transactional standards for fine art and collectibles compare to real estate and the role of a title insurer in art transactions.

Families that marry the strength of individualism with a more inclusive, long-term mindset can capture the best of both worlds. They can improve on a traditional foundation with diversified business interests and strategically populate affiliated ventures with members of the extended family.

Artwork or other collectibles often comprise a special part of a family's assets. In addition to holding deep personal meaning, they may have significant financial value. While these items should be viewed just like other assets such as real estate or financial investments, there are some unique factors and complexities to consider.

The global law firm Withers has witnessed an increase in the number of art-related cases coming before the English courts. Although individuals and entities involved in these art disputes will attempt to resolve their differences out of court and through settlement, they often end up in litigation, which carries financial costs. It is important to ...

Art ownership disputes occur every day in the market, which may include historical theft or traditional liens and encumbrances. Buyers, sellers, museums and fiduciaries should be aware of liability issues created by lack of transparency in art and collectibles transactions.

There is the age old stigma that wealth can bring or buy happiness. But, we hear it time and time again: money doesn’t buy happiness. The lack thereof may create unhappiness, but the presence of wealth does not necessarily have the opposite effect. Wealth does not create happiness nor does it provide the meaning of life. It may provide opport...

Taking time to tell family stories, and finding interesting ways to record them for subsequent generations, can serve as a foundation for family members to bond and identify with each other. Stories can engender in family members an appreciation for their own unique “differentness” of identity from those outside of the family. This shared sense of ...

It is clear that affluent women today are involved, aware and knowledgeable about their wealth and wealth management. Indeed, more women are overcoming inherent obstacles and stereotypes by reaching out for additional financial knowledge and engaging experts as well as spouses to aid them in making prudent wealth management decisions.

While men continue to play a leadership role in their families when it comes to wealth management planning and decision-making, a growing number are inclined to discuss the family wealth and wealth transfer intentions with not only their spouses but also their heirs. Research indicates wealth-related decision-making is now a shared responsibility i...

While it is true that having money can create great opportunities, it can make some people feel awkward and harbor deep feelings of regret and shame. Those feelings can dramatically influence wealth management decisions, affecting both the inheritors and wealth creators. When issues surrounding wealth as a burden go unrecognized, they can be magnif...

No Lapse Guarantee (NLG) policies, or policies with NLG riders are attractive to some insureds. The premise behind these policies is that as long as the premium is paid on time each year, the death benefit is guaranteed. Thus, many insureds, advisors, and trustees are under the impression that these policies do not require ongoing review. This is a...