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Those who receive an inheritance with the passing of a loved one are potentially given the gift of financial freedom if they choose to manage the wealth carefully.

There are only two things in life you can count on happening at some point--death and taxes. In death, these two circumstances can come together at the same time.

Divorce can significantly change life and has considerable implications on taxes. Tax filing after divorce requires understanding new filing statuses, exemptions, child deductions, alimony, and property settlements, among other things.

Losing a loved one can be an incredibly challenging time. Amidst the emotional turmoil, there's the daunting task of dealing with financial matters—one of which is filing income taxes.

Many are interested in the impact of future tax legislation on Trusts. As we look ahead to 2025, it is crucial to understand how the evolving tax landscape may impact the administration, structuring, and distribution of Trusts.

Until recently, college student-athletes were considered amateurs and prohibited from receiving monetary compensation.

Charitable giving is a way for you to participate in something meaningful to you and your family, a cause that aligns with your core values while benefiting members of the community.

High-net-worth (HNW) individuals play a crucial role in fostering positive change and impact on a global scale. However, for many first-time donors, the world of philanthropy can seem overwhelming or challenging to navigate.

Many people postpone the planning of their estates because they assume that estate planning is only for the affluent. Others may think that estate planning is similar to tax planning, which can always be done “later.”

Election years are a time of uncertainty and excitement for many people. There may be concerns with social and public policy, and the implications of legislature on the market and personal finances.

Even if you've always handled your family's finances, you may be overwhelmed by the number of financial matters you have to settle in the weeks or months following your spouse's death.

Inheriting comes with many emotions, from sadness to confusion to perhaps even joy or relief. An inheritance can take various forms, such as cash, properties, stocks, bonds, property, or other assets.

If you're the beneficiary of a large inheritance, you may find yourself suddenly wealthy. Even if you expected the inheritance, you may be surprised by the size of the bequest or the diverse assets you've inherited.

Attorneys say that if both you and your ex-spouse feel like you came out of your divorce thinking you gave up a lot, your settlement was probably fair. Often your settlement’s results appear only after you live with them for a while.

Sudden Wealth Syndrome-—Is this a real thing? First, as much as this term is thrown around, we are not convinced that it is so prevalent in most sudden wealth recipients that we classify it as a “syndrome,” although we have witnessed...

Families inherit money and sometimes make the right moves investing and spending. Inheritances can also ignite disruption, divorce and a host of bad behavior – far from the hopes and plans of the benefactor.

To say May was an eventful month for the market is an understatement. Investors navigated around the latter half of first-quarter earnings, a breakout to record highs for the broader market...

If you've ever wondered why so many lottery winners (an estimated 70 percent) seem to blow through all their winnings so quickly, the answer often lies in two key traits: overconfidence and trusting the wrong people.

"One of life’s most underappreciated talents is to know when it’s time to move on to life’s next chapter." How does this apply to the way that we approach our retirement?

The allure of sudden wealth is enchanting. It's the narrative that has inspired countless rags-to-riches tales, propelling ordinary individuals into the financial stratosphere overnight.

The time valley between an active summer and busy holiday season is the perfect time for a quick financial planning checkup. We’ve compiled the following 12-point checklist from the most common matters we uncover and review...

Most of us cannot imagine the sudden loss of our spouse. Yet, difficult as it may seem to accept, U.S. Census data indicates that the overwhelming majority of married women will be on their own for a significant number of their later years.

As 2022 came to a close, The Secure Act 2.0, legislation designed to help Americans save for retirement, was signed into law. This Act introduces major changes to retirement savings rules. Of course, each of the changes will be...

With anxiety running high, here are some important numbers that should help calm some nerves.

Thinking about what you would do if you won a large lottery jackpot? They say the odds are long, but rarely does a week go by that we don't hear of someone that actually guessed the right numbers or scratched the lucky ticket. So in...

If you have recently lost your spouse, you’re trying to navigate grief while getting your new financial situation under control. You don’t have to grapple with these challenges alone — a trustworthy financial firm...

Speaking of International Securities...

Lori Dumas, FPQP®

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

As the senior operations associate at Quartz Financial, I often get the opportunity to help our clients transfer international securities held in international accounts. While wiring funds internationally or even transferring...

As the NCAA basketball tournament begins, we wanted to share our Final Four with all of you. Okay, okay, so we might have a different final four in the halls of Quartz than you might be thinking about. Our Final Four is related to 4...

How many ways does Your Financial Advisor bring resources to your financial health? From the infamous movie, Office Space, do you ever find yourself asking your financial advisor, “What would you say you do around here?” As...

The presidential election is right around the corner and we are ready to make a prediction. Yes, we realize it is a bold move. Before we get to the prediction, just a few facts are in order: 10 of 11 recessions since 1950 have begun...

We met a lottery winner this week. He was referred to us by his realtor SEVEN YEARS AGO! Better late than never, right? We will spare you the list of things that the first “advisor” should have done, recommended, or never...

Those who have Wanderlust in them to travel the world are now “suffering” from a bad case of it in 2020. But, take heart, the “cure” is here as countries open up to Americans. Conditions are changing and will...

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger is famous for more than just his time on the bench. When he died in 1995, he left a 176-word will that gave no specific power to his executors.1 As a result, he reportedly cost his estate tens...

Today’s topic focuses on sudden wealth and using life insurance. To lend his expertise on today’s topic is Harvey Strait. Harvey is a regional Vice President for Pacific Life based in Austin, Texas. Pacific Life provides...

We had the privilege of spending time with one of our favorite clients last week creating his Non-Financial Retirement Plan. Yes, you read that right—a Non-Financial Retirement Plan. As you know, we take care of many things for...

September 4, 2020 is a milestone that marks Quartz’s 13th year as a company. As we embark on our 14th year, we can’t help but think back to 2007. You may remember that the U.S. bear market of 2007-2009 began just a few...

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day. Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting women the right to vote. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievement...

My in-laws are preparing to move to a continuing care retirement community. They chose one close to the home they have lived in for the past 31 years. The apartment they selected is beautiful especially after a few cosmetic changes are...

Forty-four percent of American women are the primary breadwinner in their house.1 Yet only 10% of women feel very confident in their ability to fully retire with a comfortable lifestyle.2 Although more women are providing for their...

Remember the excitement of the weeks leading up to the first day of school? Shopping for clothes and school supplies, new lunch boxes, meeting your new teachers were all part of the process. The anticipation of seeing old friends and...

As business owners, we understand the analogy that our company is “our baby”. So much time goes into the creation and growth of a company that the time commitment feels very much like raising a child. Sometimes business...

Today’s #SuddenWealthSaturday explains why donating money is just one piece of the philanthropic puzzle. Our special guest is Dr. Alison Alter, District 10 representative on the Austin City Council and former independent...

Passing the torch of wealth through generations is critically important to affluent families. Family meetings, typically lead by wealth management firms offering family office services, create intentional time for families to reflect...

Early in the pandemic we wrote about controlling what you can control. We continue to stress to the Quartz Family to maintain that perspective as we fight through the virus and the volatility and stress it has caused on the economy....

Remember as a kid waiting to get on a ride at an amusement park, and asking your friends who just finished the ride, “how was it?!” As adults we don’t have the same desire to experience the “thrills” of a...

Here is a snapshot into the makings of a firm, that for the past 13 years, has provided wealth management and family office services to families of sudden wealth to generational wealth...

So how are we doing? It is a common question from clients these days with multiple responses depending on the underlying meaning of the question. As a wealth management firm, the “we”, usually translates into, “how is...

What does the road to recovery look like to YOU? For many, the view from your home offices look similar and yet so different depending on your perspective. What does the road to recovery from COVID-19 look like to someone with a loved...

David Rust Joins Board of Austin Center for Grief & Loss

David Rust, ChFC®, AIF®, AAMS®, CRPS®

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

As you may be aware, in January of this year, I joined the board of The Austin Center for Grief & Loss. The impact that this organization has on those experiencing the trauma of losing a loved one is a natural fit for the work Quartz...

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is being felt in all areas of our society. Fortunately, we have some of the best minds in healthcare leading our medical and social response. Additionally, we’ve had unprecedented monetary...

If you’re divorced or separated, money management will become an important part of your life. While it may be true that money can’t buy or ensure happiness, your ability to manage your finances can play a large role in your...

Uncertainty of Coronavirus continues as does the uncertainty in the financial world. You’ve heard this a few times now, control what you can control. Stay home when you can, social distance, wash your hands, drink plenty of...

We wanted to give you a quick update on activity related to the coronavirus. Thank you to those who are “checking on us”. We are fine and remaining calm in spite of the off and on panic you may be seeing on your favorite...

In a crisis, the market goes through phases of denial, realization and exaggerated responses. The question about the current Coronavirus crisis is, "Is this a temporary phenomenon or is it creating a structural change in the global...

First, we want to thank our clients for not panicking about the current situation related to the coronavirus. That tells us that you understand the nature of events that can have short term effects on the markets. It also tells us that...

If you happened to be a senior citizen you may be wondering, how can “sudden wealth” possibly happen to me? Unfortunately, sudden wealth typically happens to senior citizens by the death of their beloved spouse. Now you...

In 2007 we had a broad range of pursuits as we started Quartz Financial. The goal of changing the status quo of financial advice and providing comprehensive guidance, eventually morphed into writing books about sudden wealth and the...

As business owners, we understand the analogy that our company is our “baby”. So much time and care goes into the creation and growth of a company that the “time commitment” feels very much like raising a child....

Anytime we mention we are sudden wealth specialists, we always hear, “I can’t wait until I get my sudden wealth”… Well be careful what you wish for because sometimes sudden wealth can occur as the result of a...

David Rust, ChFC®, AIF®, AAMS®, CRPS® of Quartz Financial has earned the designation Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) The AIF designation signifies specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and...

Were your parents’ spenders or savers? Maybe one was a saver and the other a spender? These family dynamics typically transfer from the previous generation.

Today’s #SuddenWealthSaturday article is from Julie Clark, owner of Julia Clark CPA and Associates. She is a member of AICPA and the Society of Certified Public Accountants. Many sudden wealth recipients are surprised at the tax...

Dear Friends of Quartz, Can you spare a couple of minutes? Time, although scarce, is something you have graciously given us for over 12 years, and we appreciate it! 2020 is finally here and we are excited to start our 5th decade in the...

If advertisements and commercials are beginning to feature scenes of happy families, clad in brightly colored sweaters, gathered by a fire, surrounded by an assortment of presents, then the countdown to the holidays has begun. Although...

Dear Quartz Family Members and Friends, September 4th marks the 12-year anniversary of Quartz Financial. My how time flies! Thanks to all of you, the journey has been successful and enjoyable. We thank our clients, professional...

According to Wikipedia, the prisoner’s dilemma is a paradox in decision analysis in which two individuals acting in their own self-interests do not produce the optimal outcome. It is one of the most well-known concepts in modern...

Winning the Tour de France is the consummate team sport. Every July, thousands of people travel to France to cheer on their favorite cyclist or team to victory. Before you think, "Doesn’t only one cyclist win the race?”,...

Approximately 700,000 women lose their husbands each year. Of all married women, 75% will be widowed at least once in their lives. Despite common beliefs that becoming a widow is the sentence of older women, the average age of a woman...

The recession is coming! The recession is coming! It's a certainty, right? It must be, because all of the financial news networks are talking about it non-stop every day. This month's popular topic is the inversion of the yield curve....

Retirement has taken a different meaning for many people of traditional retirement age. Motivated by the idea of spending more time with family and maintaining their career at a part time level allows them to have the best of both...

Consider the case of Jack and Nina. Together they worked side by side to build a company that supported their family for years. Through much effort and sacrifice, their company, a beacon of the community, became attractive to larger...

You’re enjoying retirement after a long successful career. You don’t want surprises, so you need a team of professionals to take care of your financial health- a family office. Consider the case of Steve, a recently retired...

Many affluent parents worry that their wealth will create children of entitlement. The children of sudden wealth especially can experience a significant change in their living environment at very impressionable ages. Consider the case...

Your required return is based on data and analysis of your financial plan. It is the return needed, taking into account your time horizon, asset base, liquidity needs, savings behavior, tax sensitivity and risk tolerance amo

In the death of a spouse, it is not uncommon for financial management to be a new burden that may have been previously handled by the spouse who passed away. Add to the loss of a spouse, the responsibility for any insurance payouts or other

Quartz Financial specializes in sudden wealth because they care about the people who have the unique experience of suddenly being responsible for considerably more money than ever before. They know that it takes a different set of

The sale of a business is often the end of a major accomplishment, and the start of a new challenge. In exchange for financial security, some former business owners experience a loss of identity. The emotional challenges in these types of s