Preserving Wealth, Values, and Stories for Future Generations
At HT|TC Wealth Partners, we understand that estate planning isn’t just about signing documents or managing assets — it’s about your family’s story. It’s about how your life and values can continue to positively impact the world or your loved ones long after you’re gone. Our estate and financial planning team, in-house trust company, and network of experienced professionals work together to build and administer plans that reflect your personal goals, giving you the opportunity to tell your family’s story and shape an enduring legacy that goes far beyond wealth.
Our Commitment to Estate Planning
With our roots as a trust company and over 30 years of financial, trust, and estate planning experience, we’re well-equipped to help you navigate major life events, which often involve the intersection of wealth, family, and longevity. Our in-house trust company continues to be a cornerstone of our services, offering you direct access to specialized trust and estate resources.
We’ve also developed these practical and educational tools that go well beyond the basics, to help simplify the estate planning process and give you confidence in your estate plan.
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A TIME TO TALK™ LIBRARY
We created our A Time to Talk™ series to help empower our clients to approach and address their biggest issues more safely and comfortably. A Time to Talk™ provides practical advice and resources to help you start meaningful conversations about your estate and legacy.
LATER IS NOW CHECKLIST
This checklist helps you organize your essential financial documents, so that your loved ones can easily access everything they need when the time comes. By preparing today, you can reduce future stress for your family.
BEYOND THE NUMBERS WORKSHEET
Estate planning goes beyond assets — it’s about preserving your values and wishes. This worksheet helps you document your important non-financial details, such as healthcare preferences and personal values.
PLAN™ MEETING FRAMEWORK
Our PLAN™ (Preserving Legacy and Narratives) meeting framework brings deeper clarity to your estate plan. It helps capture both financial goals and the values or stories you want to pass down, making it a key tool for families looking to preserve their personal narratives alongside their wealth.
ONE CALL® SERVICE
When the unexpected happens, it can be overwhelming for your family to manage everything. Our One Call® process guides you so that your loved ones know where to turn when an unexpected event happens, and that you can feel confident that your plan and administration will follow your wishes.
Connecting the Dots: Real-Life Scenarios
Estate planning is about much more than just paperwork — it’s about the real-life decisions, moments, and family dynamics that define your legacy. Yet, for many people, their estate plan feels disconnected from real life, leaving gaps that create confusion or even family conflict.
What makes us different is the way we approach estate planning as a living, breathing, well-coordinated process. It’s not just about having documents in place — it’s about connecting them to your real-world needs and relationships. Through communication, coordination, and education, we focus on aligning your financial strategies, estate plan, and family considerations. This provides you with a cohesive structure that delivers meaningful outcomes and preserves family harmony when the time comes. Our role goes far beyond just building your plan — we help you understand how that plan works in real life, in the moments that matter most to you and your loved ones.
Here’s how we help make estate planning work in real life:
ALIGNING PROFESSIONALS AND FAMILY MEMBERS
Picture this: You’ve got family members in multiple states, a legal team drafting your will and other documents, a financial advisor managing your investments, and an accountant working through tax implications. But with so many moving pieces, it’s hard to know if everyone is on the same page. Should you name a family member as trustee, or would a professional be better suited? What if there are tax implications you’re not aware of, or potential family dynamics that could cause friction later on? Our team sits down with you and your family, breaking down the financial impacts of each option — how taxes will play out, what asset distribution looks like, and how family relationships could be affected in the long term. We help connect all the dots, answering these pressing questions, so when it’s time to make decisions, you’re making them with clarity, and no one is left in the dark.
CLARIFYING CHARITABLE GIVING AND WEALTH TRANSFER
You’re thinking about giving back through a charitable trust, but you’re unsure how it will affect your estate and what will be left for your heirs. Will this strategy reduce estate taxes, or will it impact the wealth your family receives? How can you balance your desire to make a difference through philanthropy with the need to provide for your loved ones? We work alongside you to create a clear picture of how charitable giving impacts your taxes and the overall value of your estate. We map out both the short-term and long-term financial implications, showing you exactly what your options are, and what your heirs can expect. You don’t have to choose between giving and providing for your family — we can help you confidently achieve both.
OFFERING NEUTRAL, PROFESSIONAL TRUST SERVICES
Now, imagine this: You have three children, and naming one as trustee feels like it could create tension. But what are your alternatives and how could they help your family avoid unnecessary conflict? How can you remove much of the workload and emotional burden from your children while making sure your wishes are carried out?
Choosing the right people to carry out your wishes is one of the most important parts of estate planning. When naming a trustee, executor, or powers of attorney, the decisions you make will directly affect how your estate is managed and how your wishes are fulfilled. These individuals will be responsible for ensuring your legacy is carried out according to your vision.
Our in-house trust services through Trust Company of Illinois or Hightower Trust Company, N.A., offer an objective third-party solution. These entities can step in as a neutral trustee, taking the responsibility off your children’s shoulders and handling everything professionally and impartially when the time comes. We help your family avoid conflict while making sure your estate is administered according to your instructions. With our guidance, you can focus on preserving family relationships while we handle the details.
Multigenerational Wealth Structuring
Think about the future — your children, grandchildren, and maybe even great-grandchildren. What will they inherit beyond just money? A well-thought-out estate plan passes on more than wealth. It preserves the story of who you are and what you value. It can:
Help your family avoid confusion by clearly outlining how your assets should be distributed.
Reduce the likelihood of disputes by creating a structure everyone understands.
Set up protections in case something unexpected happens, like a health issue or the end of a marriage.
Make sure your medical and personal care decisions are honored.
We work with you to build a plan that supports not just your loved ones, but also the legacy of your values and life’s work.
Wealth Transfer Tax Minimization
Taxes can significantly impact what your family ultimately receives, but with the right planning, you can reduce that burden. Tax laws change frequently, and keeping up with them can feel overwhelming. We help build a plan that addresses these challenges so you can focus on passing on your legacy without unnecessary tax complications. Our team can offer:
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Practical advice on how to use tax breaks and exemptions effectively.
TAX-EFFICIENT TRANSFERS
Ways to move wealth to the next generation while minimizing taxes.
REGULAR CHECK-INS
As tax laws change, we make sure your plan adapts to those changes.
Hightower Advisors, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Securities are offered through Hightower Securities, LLC member FINRA and SIPC. Hightower Advisors, LLC or any of its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This material is not intended or written to provide and should not be relied upon or used as a substitute for tax or legal advice. Information contained herein does not consider an individual’s or entity’s specific circumstances or applicable governing law, which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and be subject to change. Clients are urged to consult their tax or legal advisor for related questions.
Philanthropic Planning
Philanthropy can be a meaningful way to extend your life’s impact far beyond your immediate circle. If giving back is part of your legacy, together we can help you create a philanthropic plan that not only reflects your values but also creates a lasting impact. Whether you want to support education, healthcare, or another cause, we can help you develop a giving strategy that balances your charitable goals with your family’s needs. Our guidance can include:
CHARITABLE TRUSTS
Trusts that allow you to give to charity while still benefiting your loved ones.
DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS
Flexible ways to manage your charitable contributions over time.
LEGACY PLANNING
Weaving your philanthropic vision into your overall estate plan.
Family Meetings
Having conversations about family wealth and values can be challenging, but these discussions are essential to ensuring your family is aligned with your long-term vision. Family meetings are about more than just logistics or tough topics — they create an opportunity to openly share your family story and goals, discuss the future, and preserve harmony among loved ones. This communication often leads to stronger connections and a smoother transition down the road.
A Collaborative Approach
We believe that estate planning is most effective when it’s done collaboratively. By bringing together a network of professionals — including attorneys, accountants, and other specialists — we can help you build a comprehensive plan that meets your individual needs. Our approach allows us to deliver solutions that reflect both your values and your goals.
With tailored tools and comprehensive estate and trust services, our highly experienced team can guide you through every step of the estate planning process, helping you connect the dots and make decisions that truly reflect your vision for the future. We’re here to support you in building a plan that honors your life’s work and provides comfort and clarity for your loved ones.
Let’s start that journey together — reach out to begin shaping your legacy today.
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