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The Munro Team

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Merrill Lynch
Wealth Management


Before, during, and after a liquidity event, our team works closely with clients to manage and plan for the income and estate tax consequences that will result from the sudden realization of substantial wealth.  Our mission is to help clients achieve their goals by simplifying the financial complexities and preparing them for the upcoming wealth transformation.

Welcome

A liquidity event is generally defined as a sudden realization of substantial wealth through the sale of an illiquid asset (i.e., real estate, privately owned business, etc.) or by exercising stock options that were granted as part of an executive compensation plan. Liquidity events may provide income and estate planning opportunities.  Liquidity events also magnify the need to put in place or update essential estate planning documents.  We can be a financial resource, helping clients with the process of transferring wealth to the younger generation.

Philosophy

We believe that the best financial strategy is the one that helps you pursue your goals and achieve financial freedom. That's why, from the start, we talk about your aspirations and encourage you to ask questions about issues that matter most to you.  Our process is designed to deliver a customized, consistent experience to assist clients not only in asset diversification and wealth preservation, but in areas that go beyond portfolio management. Our ability to provide access to the investment insights of Merrill and the banking convenience of Bank of America offers a way for clients to manage all of the pieces of their financial lives.

Client Focus

Our team primarily assist clients that have received or are about to receive a substantial amount of monies from the following types of liquidity events: 

  • Concentrated stock positions (i.e., Restricted Stock Units, Employee Stock Option Grants, etc.)
  • Sale of privately owned business
  • Sale of real estate property
  • Inheritance
  • Divorce Settlement  

We work closely with other trusted professionals to help clients pursue their goals, drawing on the investment insights of Merrill and access to the banking convenience of Bank of America as we do so.

Pre-Liquidity Event Planning

The most common question we receive is “how soon should i start planning for a liquidity event?”  The answer is simple: The sooner the better.  With liquidity events, time is your most valuable asset.  The earlier you start planning what you want your life to look like afterward, the more opportunity you have to implement tax-efficient strategies that will allow you to maximize your hard earnings for the long term.  Examples of some pre-event tax minimization and estate planning strategies available include:

  1. Transfers to trusts, family limited liability companies, and other vehicles;
  2. Leveraging gifts through grantor-retained annuity trusts, intentionally defective grantor trusts, and similar vehicles;
  3. Charitable transfers
  4. Some of the more mundane tax minimization strategies such as deferring income and accelerating expenses



*Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Post-Liquidity Event Planning

Regardless of whether you go through a rigorous planning process prior to a substantial liquidity event, it would still be prudent to pursue an equally rigorous, comprehensive post-liquidity-event planning process.  This process will vary depending on your personal circumstances and the nature of the event.  Nevertheless, there are several fundamental steps that must be considered following a liquidity event – even in the absence of pre-event planning, including:

  1. Tax minimization strategies
  2. Estate planning services
  3. Investment and asset allocation planning
  4. Cash flow planning
  5. Risk management
Discussing these steps with our team is important to helping to ensure that the most effective, optimal approach is chosen and executed following a liquidity event.


*Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

Get To Know Us

Supported by the global resources of Merrill, our team is comprised of talented and experienced individuals committed to building strong client relationships based on trust and personalized service.

Additional Resources

The following specialists do not make securities recommendations. Please contact your Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisor if you have questions about how a specialist might be able to assist you.

Ruth Fagen Silva

Structured Credit Executive

Bank of America, N.A.

NMLS #1230607

Jason Albano

Wealth Strategist

Merrill

Staying on Track

We understand that both your life and the financial markets can change over time. By checking in to discuss changes in your life and revisiting your financial approach, our goal is to help you stay on track to achieve what's most important to you.



Reviews to help you
stay on track

We’ll meet with you to review your goals and the progress you’ve made toward reaching them. We’ll also discuss any adjustments needed to your financial approach to help you stay on course.



    Changes in your life
    and to your goals

    Your life and goals change. As these changes occur, we can update your approach to reflect them.

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      Let’s Have a Conversation

      Helping you reach your goals starts with getting to know you personally. Through understanding what matters most to you, together we can help you create a financial approach that reflects your personality. Only then can we offer an approach that is built around your life priorities and the advice you need to help you address fluctuations in the market and changes in your life. Let’s work together to help you achieve your goals.

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      As Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Advisors, we will sort through the financial complexities of your life, helping you build a customized investment approach to address your needs and pursue your goals.


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      Personalized advice from a dedicated financial advisor.

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      A comprehensive approach, built around your life’s priorities.

      Drawing from our experience and the best thinking of Merrill, together we will design an approach that reflects your unique needs, priorities and financial situation.

      Adjusting your investment approach as your life and the markets change.

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