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Private Wealth

Strategy for high earners and affluent families — tax planning, giving, legacy and the finer things.

Private Wealth covers topics for high earners and affluent families: concentrated stock positions, accredited investor rules, family offices, tax planning, giving and buying luxury goods wisely.

It's for readers whose finances have grown more complex and who want clear explanations before talking with their advisors. The guides explain how things work and the questions worth asking, not specific recommendations.

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Private Wealth

Private Credit Keeps Winning Over Wealthy Investors, Even After a Rocky Year

3 min read · Oct 15, 2026

A philanthropist in an elegant office meeting with a foundation director and a grant officer around a table of program proposals

Private Wealth

Private Foundation vs. Donor-Advised Fund: Which Is Right for Your Giving?

Both can support long-term philanthropy, but they differ in cost, control and rules. Here's how to compare them.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

A couple in an elegant home office reviewing a life insurance policy and trust binder with an attorney

Private Wealth

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs) Explained

An ILIT can keep life insurance proceeds out of your taxable estate. Here's how it works and who might use one.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20264 min read

An attorney and a business owner reviewing an umbrella insurance policy and LLC documents in an office

Private Wealth

Asset Protection Basics: Shielding Your Wealth From Lawsuits and Risks

As wealth grows, so does exposure to lawsuits and claims. Here are common, legal ways people protect their assets.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

Three generations of an affluent family meeting with an estate attorney in a grand library, trust documents on a polished table

Private Wealth

Dynasty Trusts Explained: Passing Wealth Across Generations

A dynasty trust is designed to hold assets for multiple generations. Here's how they work and the key considerations.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

A wealth advisor presenting charts of private equity and hedge fund allocations on a tablet to a client in a wood-paneled office

Private Wealth

Alternative Investments Explained: Private Equity, Hedge Funds and More

Alternative investments go beyond stocks and bonds. Here's what they are, their potential benefits and the risks to understand.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

A couple standing on the deck of a lakeside vacation cabin with a real estate agent holding keys

Private Wealth

Buying a Second Home or Vacation Property: Costs, Taxes and Trade-Offs

A vacation home can be a joy and an investment, or a money drain. Here's how to weigh the costs, financing and tax rules.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

A professional meeting a tax advisor in a sleek office, tax documents and a laptop on the desk

Private Wealth

Tax Strategies for High Earners: Common Ways to Keep More of What You Make

Higher income often means higher taxes. Here are widely used, legal strategies high earners use to reduce their tax bill.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

An investor in a private office reviewing a private placement document with a financial advisor

Private Wealth

What Is an Accredited Investor, and Why Does It Matter?

Accredited investor status opens access to private investments. Here's who qualifies under SEC rules and what to weigh before investing.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

An affluent business owner signing trust papers with an estate planner in a refined private office, a fountain pen and leather folder

Private Wealth

GRATs Explained: Passing Asset Growth to Heirs Tax-Efficiently

A grantor retained annuity trust can transfer future appreciation to heirs with little or no gift tax. Here's how it works.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

An estate attorney walking an older affluent couple through estate planning binders in a library office

Private Wealth

Estate Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Families

Large estates may owe federal or state estate taxes. Here's how the estate tax works and common planning strategies.

Kiara MillerOct 5, 20265 min read

A real estate investor touring a newly purchased upscale apartment building lobby with a broker, holding keys and a property folder

Private Wealth

1031 Exchanges Explained: Deferring Taxes When You Sell Investment Property

A 1031 exchange lets real estate investors defer capital gains tax by reinvesting in similar property. Here's how it works and the deadlines.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A donor at a desk reviewing a charitable giving account on a laptop, thank-you cards from charities nearby

Private Wealth

Donor-Advised Funds Explained: A Flexible Way to Give

A donor-advised fund lets you get a tax deduction now and decide which charities to support over time. Here's how it works.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A grandparent handing a gift envelope to a grandchild at a family gathering in an elegant home

Private Wealth

Gifting Strategies: How to Give Money to Family Tax-Efficiently

Giving to children and grandchildren during your lifetime can help them and reduce future estate taxes. Here's how gift rules work.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

An investor in an elegant private study reviewing a portfolio with red and green chart lines on a laptop alongside a wealth advisor, deciding which holdings to sell

Private Wealth

Tax-Loss Harvesting Explained: Turning Investment Losses Into Tax Savings

Selling investments at a loss can offset gains and lower your tax bill. Here's how tax-loss harvesting works and the wash-sale rule.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A high earner reviewing a bond portfolio on a tablet in a refined private office overlooking a city hall and civic buildings

Private Wealth

Municipal Bonds Explained: Tax-Free Income for High Earners

Municipal bond interest is often free from federal income tax. Here's how munis work and how to compare them with taxable bonds.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A tech employee reviewing a single company stock chart on a laptop with a financial advisor

Private Wealth

What to Do With a Concentrated Stock Position

Having much of your wealth in one stock can be risky. Here's how investors manage concentrated positions and the tax trade-offs.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A team of advisors in a private boardroom meeting with a multigenerational wealthy family

Private Wealth

What Is a Family Office?

Family offices manage the finances and affairs of very wealthy families. Here's what they do and the alternatives for affluent households.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

An older founder walking his adult daughter through the floor of their family winery, handing her a ring of keys among oak barrels

Private Wealth

Family Business Succession Planning: Passing the Business On

Without a plan, a family business can struggle when the founder steps back. Here's how to plan a smooth transition.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20266 min read

An older couple signing trust documents with an estate attorney, a charity brochure on the table

Private Wealth

Charitable Remainder Trusts: Income for You, a Gift to Charity

A charitable remainder trust can provide income for life or a set term, with the remainder going to charity. Here's how it works.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

An affluent couple meeting their tax advisor at a mahogany desk, reviewing investment statements and a calculator

Private Wealth

The Net Investment Income Tax Explained

High earners may owe an extra 3.8% tax on investment income. Here's who owes it, what counts and ways to manage it.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A father in an elegant home teaching his son to budget with a notebook and coins at a desk

Private Wealth

Raising Grounded Kids in an Affluent Family

Wealth can give kids opportunities, but also challenges. Here's how affluent families raise responsible, motivated children.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A wealthy grandmother in an elegant living room teaching her young-adult grandchildren about family investments with a binder

Private Wealth

Preparing Your Heirs to Receive an Inheritance

Many inheritances are lost within a generation. Here's how to prepare heirs to manage wealth responsibly.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A collector examining a framed painting in an art gallery with an appraiser holding a magnifier

Private Wealth

Investing in Art and Collectibles: What to Know Before You Buy

Art, wine, watches and other collectibles can be passions and assets. Here's how they're valued, taxed and protected.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A shopper examining a fine wristwatch at a jewelry counter with a jeweler

Private Wealth

How to Buy Luxury Items Wisely

Luxury purchases can bring joy when they fit your finances and values. Here's how to buy high-end items without regret.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A high earner at a modern desk reviewing 401k plan contribution settings on a laptop with a calculator

Private Wealth

The Mega Backdoor Roth: Supercharging Roth Savings Through Your 401(k)

Some 401(k) plans allow large after-tax contributions that can be converted to Roth. Here's how the mega backdoor Roth works.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

An engaged couple signing a prenuptial agreement with a lawyer, engagement ring visible

Private Wealth

Prenuptial Agreements: Protecting Wealth and Setting Expectations

A prenup isn't just for the very rich. Here's what prenuptial agreements cover and how couples approach them thoughtfully.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A family volunteering at a food bank packing donation boxes, a philanthropic giving theme

Private Wealth

Strategic Charitable Giving: How to Give More Effectively

Thoughtful giving can increase your impact and your tax benefits. Here are common strategies used by generous families.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20266 min read

An employee at a modern startup office reviewing stock option grant papers at a laptop

Private Wealth

Equity Compensation Explained: RSUs, Stock Options and ESPPs

Stock-based pay can be a big part of compensation. Here's how RSUs, ISOs, NSOs and ESPPs work and how they're taxed.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A private banker greeting a client in an upscale private banking lounge

Private Wealth

Private Banking and Wealth Management: What Affluent Clients Get

Banks and advisers offer special services to high-net-worth clients. Here's what's typically included and how to evaluate the costs.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

A professional at a home office desk moving funds between retirement accounts on a laptop, tax forms beside

Private Wealth

The Backdoor Roth IRA Explained

Earn too much to contribute to a Roth IRA directly? A backdoor Roth may be an option. Here's how it works and the pro-rata rule to watch.

Kiara MillerOct 4, 20265 min read

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