The Client

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  Offshore Tax Evaders Taking Big Risk, Former IRS Attorney Says

  By Gil Weinreich, AdvisorOne  |  April 30, 2013

  Many taxpayers, in an effort to avoid onerous penalties and back taxes, are not joining the IRS’ tax amnesty programs, instead making "quiet disclosures" that could backfire, a former IRS attorney says.

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  Sen. Franken Urges SEC to Ban ‘Unfair’ Arbitration Agreements

  By Melanie Waddell, AdvisorOne  |  April 30, 2013

  Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., told SEC Chairwoman Mary Jo White in a Tuesday letter to act now to prevent Wall Street brokerage firms from forcing investors into “unfair” arbitration agreements.

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  Wealthy Blacks Have Sunnier Outlook Than Most

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  April 29, 2013

  Wealthy black Americans feel better off than they did five years ago, and think the country is better off as well, according to new research by Northern Trust.

• Pledging to Care

  By Olivia Mellan  |  April 29, 2013

  The Pledge to Care helps establish an understanding among family members about why and how they will approach managing an elderly parent’s financial affairs, should it be necessary.

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  When Older Clients Falter: Mary Malgoire on Advisors’ Role

  By Olivia Mellan  |  April 29, 2013

  Advisors may be the first to see signs of mental decline in older clients. Mary Malgoire, founder of The Family Firm, an advisory firm in Bethesda, Md., has given this issue a great deal of thought.

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  Investors Are Optimistic, but More Conservative, Franklin Templeton Finds

  By John Sullivan, AdvisorOne  |  April 26, 2013

  Despite an overall positive outlook, avoiding loss, rather than achieving higher returns, is still a top priority.

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  Reality Bites: Gen Xers Aren’t Slackers Anymore, MetLife Says

  By Joyce Hanson, AdvisorOne  |  April 26, 2013

  The unthinkable inevitable has happened: Gen Xers are identifying more with their Boomer parents as they enter middle age and shoulder the burdens of work, family and financial planning.

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  Outsourcing Can Make Smaller Accounts Profitable

  By Savita Iyer-Ahrestani, AdvisorOne  |  April 25, 2013

  Many financial advisors would be more than willing to serve clients with smaller account balances, but unfortunately, it’s often not possible because running a business is so costly. But FTJ FundChoice has a solution.

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  Ex-NHL Player, Now HighTower Advisor, Scores Big With Pros

  By John Sullivan, AdvisorOne  |  April 24, 2013

  A professional athlete that’s really good with money—it’s a rare find, but the need is critical.

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  Viewing Financial Planning Through the Lens of Risk Management

  By Mike Patton  |  April 22, 2013

  In planning for my clients, I view all I do through the lens of risk management, and I'm not limiting myself to insurance.