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Advice. What’s it worth to you? While bad advice can be costly, sound, insightful advice can save you time, money, and headaches. That’s why it’s beneficial to have a trusted adviser you can turn to when you have questions about a subject that requires expertise. Legal, insurance, and financial matters, for example, can be especially complex and trying if you’re not one of those professionals yourself. Often there are rules and regulations that, if not followed, can lead to disastrous consequences.
Relying on the wisdom and experience of trusted advisers can be invaluable. They’ve typically spent years dealing with many different situations and are in the best position to provide solutions. It’s important to know whom you can trust and contact when you need expert advice.
Q: Why is it important to have a purpose-driven approach to wealth management?
A: Investing is deeply personal, which is why UBS Financial Services always starts with a discussion about your values and what you want to accomplish in life. That also helps their team shape your wealth strategy around three financial dimensions:
- Liquidity (to maintain your lifestyle)
- Longevity (to improve your lifestyle), and
- Legacy (to improve the lives of others).
This structure, and UBS Financial’s unique management approach, allows you invest with a sense of purpose. It can also improve your overall results and provide emotional security. This process, and the plan you’ll create together, can give you peace of mind knowing you’ll have what you need for today, tomorrow, and generations to come.
Q: What should I look for when choosing a company to replace my furnace and air conditioner?
A: Realizing that you should upgrade your heating and cooling system can be overwhelming. Most people will only experience this need 1.5 times in their life, so it’s essential to do your research before making that call.
The first recommendation is to look for a company with a good reputation. Heating and cooling installation is a skilled trade that involves gas, electrical, and venting. These are all things that could present extreme safety issues when installation is done incorrectly, so you want to choose an experienced contractor. Things to look for include certified training, as well as proper licensing and insurance. Finally, make sure the company is pulling permits. Permits are required by law and will protect you, the homeowner, in making sure the installation is done correctly and won’t present a safety hazard. Some contractors won’t mention permits (or their costs) until the day of installation, so make sure permits are included in your price.
The next most important factor is installation time. A good contractor will be able to install your system within one day. You don’t want to be without heating or cooling during the hottest or coldest days of the year.
Q: My spouse and I intend to divorce and we agree on the terms. Can we use one attorney to handle the matter for us?
A: One attorney may not represent both parties in a divorce or custody action. Even when parties agree in advance on the custody arrangement or property division, their interests may directly conflict. Therefore, it’s unethical for one attorney to represent both parties in a divorce or any family law matter.
Both parties should have independent, knowledgeable representation so that each can be fully informed and make the best decision for their individual futures. Often, people fail to realize that every asset they have worked hard to acquire needs to be addressed in a Judgment of Divorce — including pensions, retirement accounts, real estate, and even income. Failing to give the division of your assets the appropriate time and attention can be costly, yet this problem can easily be avoided with the assistance of an experienced attorney.
Q: Why is it important to have an independent agent service your business and personal insurance products?
A: Actually, there are two reasons. The first is that the right agent can better identify which of your assets may be at risk. Business and personal insurance policies can have gaps if they’re not written correctly, especially in the auto, cyber, and personal/ corporate umbrella liability sectors. Even if you’re not a business owner, your home, auto, watercraft, and RV insurance risk protection should be viewed like running a business.
The second reason is that a good independent agent — one who is highly experienced in all areas of risk, both personal and business — represents more than one insurer. A great independent agent with solid skills is one who represents numerous insurers, and proactively ensures your portfolio is in the best position possible to serve as your partner in success. At First Independent Descamps Insurance Agency, their adopted motto is In omnia paratus. That’s Latin for ready for all things — and it’s the higher level of experience and attitude toward service that the agents of First Independent consistently put into practice.
