Many of us hope to leave something behind for our loved ones when we pass away. But the probate process is complex. To understand how to better manage potential probate fees, let’s explore what probate is and how the process works. WHAT IS PROBATE?...

In the world of tax preferred savings plans the Health Savings Account is the crème de le crème. These accounts, commonly referred to by the acronym HSA, are the only accounts under IRS rules that allow tax deductible contributions, tax deferred...

As technology continues to improve, the methods hackers use to attack unsuspecting victims do as well. Keeping up to date on the latest in cybersecurity is easier said than done, however. With so many sources of information at our fingertips...

In the world of tax preferred savings plans the Health Savings Account is the crème de le crème. These accounts, commonly referred to by the acronym HSA, are the only accounts under IRS rules that allow tax deductible contributions, tax deferred...

Between the new parents (my oldest daughter), the newlyweds (my second daughter), the college kid (my son Sam), his girlfriend and roommates, the Spanish exchange daughter thrown in just for the enjoyment of it, and the young adult kids of the...

With the start of the new year, a number of notable changes are occurring in the realm of financial planning rules. Most of the rule changes are the result of the Secure Act 2.0 phasing in, but some are the result of the higher inflation experienced...

When the market drops, some investors lose perspective that downtrends and uptrends are part of the investing cycle. When stock prices break lower, it's a good time to review common terms that are used to describe the market's downward momentum....

While it now has offices throughout the Midwest, Oak Partners can trace its origin to the Chase Bank building in Merrillville, Indiana where Founder Fred Ruiz started the business 30 years ago. Inspired by their father’s client-focused approach to...

One survey found that 35% of couples attribute stress in their relationship to financial issues. This could explain why some experts say financial problems are one of the top reasons marriages fail.1,2 Fortunately, when couples work together to...

After 10 years of working at Oak Partners, Wealth Advisor Stacey Fargo has been recognized as a Rising Star by the Rising Star Women Advisor program. While she has worked in the financial services industry for her entire career, she did not begin...