The scoop on SLATs; 10 top firms driving the shift to fiduciary advice

SLAT CHAT: Spousal lifetime access trusts — SLATS — are complicated but useful tools, especially in light of the upcoming expiration of estate and gift tax breaks. However, there are three major risks associated with using SLATs as a strategy. CPA Kathy Davis guides advisors on how best to manage them.?

Read: Divorce, death and taxes: 3 risks connected with SLATs

A FEE-BASED TOP 10: The top independent brokerages now generate more revenue from advisory fees than from commissions, reflecting a trend toward fiduciary models. See Chief Correspondent Tobias Salinger ’s report on the top 10 firms gaining the most revenue from fees.

Read: IBD Elite 2023: Which independent brokerages have the largest RIAs?

DECIDING TO DECLINE A NEW CLIENT: A financial planner in Ohio needs help with a tricky situation: A retired client wants him to take on his son, who has very few assets to manage. Yet turning him down may offend the dad. What’s an advisor to do? Five pros from around the country weigh in in the latest Ask an Advisor column from Nathan Place .?

Read: Ask an advisor: Can I refuse to work with my client's son?

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