Avalon's approach to planning takes
a broad view with an eye toward life's fundamentals: financial security,
quality of life, and core values.
PEACE OF MIND
We start by listening, understanding your goals and aspirations. Taking into account key variables, we then work with you to develop a dynamic financial plan that helps you gain clarity and confidence as you look to the future. Throughout life’s changing circumstances, we revisit initial assumptions and fine-tune your plan. This rigorous process, coupled with a longstanding relationship, provide meaning and context to the roadmap for your future well-being.
We believe that estate planning, like financial planning, is a process, not an event. We add value by collaborating with your accountant, your attorney and other key advisors. Together, we develop a cohesive and comprehensive estate plan that preserves your assets during your lifetime, and ultimately transfers them smoothly and efficiently to the next generation, to charities or to those important to you. We have an in-depth knowledge of estate planning techniques, ranging from multi-generational trusts to family foundations and from succession planning to unique family holdings. We evaluate and recommend the best options that honor your principles and achieve a meaningful transfer of wealth. Once all the pieces are in place, Avalon serves as your advocate to ensure that your assets are protected and your objectives are realized, as life’s circumstances evolve.
PLANNING
Our philanthropic strategies are nearly as broad as the range of causes our clients so generously support.
PHILANTHROPY
Avalon helps clients support their causes by maximizing charitable gifts in order to create the most positive impact.
Whether an individual, family foundation or public charity, the range of services we offer is nearly as broad as the range of causes our clients so generously support. Avalon helps individuals and families navigate charitable giving options to identify the most appropriate gift structure. From outright donations of appreciated securities, to charitable trusts, to donor advised funds, Avalon is there to ensure that our clients’ charitable gifts are aligned with their intentions and that the gift is tax efficient and compliant with current laws.
Our philanthropic clients include not only generous donors, but also the recipients of charitable gifts — public non-profits and private foundations — addressing an array of needs in communities around the country. For our private foundation clients, we oversee compliance, and work with the foundation’s board to develop investment and giving policies that honor the family’s legacy. We act as a resource to the governing board, performing due diligence and managing and growing the assets so our private foundation and public charity clients can focus on the causes they are committed to.
CORPORATE TRUSTEE
Avalon provides an objective and solutions-oriented approach to trust management. Unconstrained by the bureaucratic structure of large institutions, we are able to respond thoughtfully and thoroughly to matters relating to your trust. We are professionals who listen, balancing the interests, concerns and investment objectives of those involved, whether a minor child or multiple generations of beneficiaries spread across the country. Avalon has the expertise and resources to manage the essential fiduciary details and exercise sound judgment under any circumstances.
The importance of choosing the right trustee cannot be overstated. Successful trust management requires not only a sophisticated knowledge of legal issues, but also a thorough understanding of the objectives of the trust, as well as the relationships among the beneficiaries, grantors and their families. We understand that serving as trustee is a tremendous responsibility worthy of our deepest commitment.
FAMILY OFFICE
Many clients rely on Avalon to manage the countless and crucial details of their complex financial lives. Our family office service conserves your valuable time, simplifies life and brings the big picture into perspective. Avalon acts as a central resource point for families, providing confidential management of the broadest range of financial affairs.
We curate an array of options to meet your family’s particular circumstances, ranging from the routine — bill paying, payroll services and tuition payments — to the extraordinary — selling unique assets, sourcing professionals to handle complex transactions and educating future generations about wealth. We apply our depth of knowledge, experience and extensive resources to coordinate all financial details in a way that best defines the family office experience, allowing you the time and clarity to focus on the more important things in life.
CLARITY
Life became complicated for Nancy overnight. The 50-year old New York City resident was suddenly a widow. While coping with her personal loss, she also faced a multi-million dollar estate in disarray. She had funds in accounts around the world, assets she needed to sell and no clear picture of her cash flow or budget.
Nancy needed line of sight — an understanding of her current finances and a vision for the future. A close friend recommended Avalon. We met with Nancy at her home in New York. Our first step was to consolidate Nancy’s investment accounts in order to provide a comprehensive perspective essential to her long-term security. Then the Avalon team devised a plan to move her from crisis to clarity.
We vetted and assembled a team of professionals to implement the plan: attorneys to draft Nancy’s estate plan and secure overdue benefits; an experienced fine arts agent to sell valuable paintings; and an accountant to review her tax returns and help us develop a long-term tax strategy, taking into account Nancy’s budget and cash flow needs. Her family’s stability was paramount, so Avalon helped create a trust to secure her children’s future.
As Nancy’s wealth manager, we continue to invest and grow her assets. She now has the clarity and peace of mind to set a new course for herself and her family.
When the Hamilton family of New England inherited wealth, they also inherited a complex financial situation, including decades-old trusts, a variety of assets and an extended family office managing unique holdings. Busy with work, philanthropy and raising a family, they needed to make sense out of all of this. They turned to Avalon Trust.
We listened intently to the Hamiltons describe their goals, as well as their perceived obstacles. They felt constrained by a lack of information about prior generations’ assets, and were reluctant to broach such sensitive topics with relatives. By encouraging and facilitating dialogue among family members and by demystifying the complicated wealth succession techniques established by past generations, we helped them navigate delicate family dynamics so that they understood the extent of their wealth.
We continue to work with the Hamiltons to evaluate, prioritize and implement the best options for growing and guiding their assets for future generations and the charitable causes so important to them. They can now enjoy their new knowledge, perspective and comfort level with their wealth so they can focus on the more important things in life.
PERSPECTIVE
COMMITMENT
Mission vs. Money: It’s a delicate balance for every charitable organization. We partner with a Santa Fe non-profit that faced just such a challenge. Southwest CARE Center, a health management alliance, serves HIV patients in northern New Mexico and provides essential community services. They change lives by providing education, testing, treatment and research.
Southwest CARE leaders, faced with limited resources, needed to focus on their critical mission and expanding programs. Income fluctuations and investment issues sapped valuable time and energy. At their invitation, Avalon stepped in to help. We worked closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Director to develop an investment policy, implement asset allocation and maximize investment growth. Our ongoing investment management and regular financial reviews keep them apprised of progress.
With its finances stabilized, the organization now has a solid foundation — and peace of mind — to achieve its mission.