Tag: Estate Planning
Rethinking Financial Planning for Childfree Clients with Dr. Jay Zigmont

Rethinking Financial Planning for Childfree Clients with Dr. Jay Zigmont

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Traditional financial planning assumes a familiar life path, but what happens when that doesn’t include children?

Many advisors unknowingly rely on planning frameworks built around legacy, inheritance and next-generation wealth transfer. For millions of people, those assumptions simply don’t fit.

In this episode, Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Dr. Jay Zigmont, founder and CEO of Childfree Wealth and Childfree Trust, about the unique planning needs of childfree and permanently childless individuals. They explore how financial planning, estate planning, charitable giving, retirement strategies and pet care decisions change when there are no children involved. 

Dr. Zigmont also shares why many traditional planning tools create blind spots, how advisors can better serve this growing population, and why deeper life planning conversations can transform the client experience.

Key takeaways:

  • Why traditional financial planning often overlooks the goals and priorities of childfree individuals
  • How estate planning becomes more challenging when there is no obvious next of kin available
  • Why pet trusts and long-term care planning deserve greater attention in financial conversations
  • How charitable giving strategies may differ for people focused on spending during their lifetime
  • Why advisors can create stronger relationships by understanding nontraditional life paths

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Dr. Jay Zigmont:

 About Our Guest:

Jay Zigmont is the Founder and CEO of Childfree Wealth, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping Childfree and Permanently Childless people. He and his wife are Childfree.

Dr. Jay is a Childfree Wealth Specialist and author of the book “Portraits of Childfree Wealth” and the upcoming book “The Childfree Guide to Life and Money.” Dr Jay is the co-host of the Childfree Wealth podcast. 

He has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, MarketWatch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC, and many other publications. In 2023, he was named a “Rising Star” by Financial Planning.

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Purpose-Driven Planning in the Age of AI

Purpose-Driven Planning in the Age of AI

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In this episode of Focused on the Future, host Suzanne Siracuse speaks with Lee Korn, co-founder of Opal Wealth Advisors, about how his firm is growing by focusing on people, purpose and process.

Lee explains how Opal begins every client relationship by uncovering meaningful life goals, not just financial ones, using a discovery process rooted in George Kinder’s life planning framework. While AI tools enhance advisors’ ability to deliver services like tax and estate planning more efficiently, Lee emphasizes that real client transformation comes from human insight, accountability and connection.

The conversation turns to talent development, where Lee shares how Opal’s training program focuses on technical expertise, communication skills and personal development. Weekly “Opal Insights” sessions, communication workshops and outside trainings help younger advisors grow into confident, effective professionals.

Key insights include:

  • How AI tools helped solve a complex client matter faster than seasoned accountants and attorneys
  • Why Lee believes advisors won’t be replaced by tech but enhanced into “bionic advisors”
  • Opal’s culture of Ikigai, helping team members align personal purpose with professional roles
  • Opal’s unique training approach, blending technical knowledge, communication skills and life planning
  • The firm’s Opal Insights sessions and how constant learning fuels team cohesion and client relationships

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Lee Korn:

 About Our Guest:

Lee Korn is committed to seeing clients succeed. He loves to brainstorm ideas to arrive at the best solutions—and he stands side-by-side with clients to help make sure those solutions are effectively implemented. In particular, Lee enjoys assisting business owners in identifying opportunities and strategies to take their companies to the next level. With a forward-thinking outlook, he also helps Opal remain at the forefront of the financial planning industry.

Before forming Opal Wealth Advisors with partners Jesse Giordano and Joe Filosa, Lee co-founded the 360 Group at Morgan Stanley, where he was a financial advisor and family wealth director. In 2009, Barron’s named him as one of the top 1200 U.S. Financial Advisors. Previously, he worked at Edward Jones as a personal wealth manager. He began his career as a commercial banker, helping successful business owners raise capital for acquisition and expansion.

Lee graduated from Queens College in New York City with a degree in accounting. Active in his community, he has volunteered extensively with special needs organizations. Lee has a wife and three children. He upholds a strong commitment to helping young people develop good values as well as leadership and life skills. He is a Cub Scout Cubmaster and an active board member at his temple.

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Creating a Client-Centric Wealth Management Firm with Tom Orecchio

Creating a Client-Centric Wealth Management Firm with Tom Orecchio

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In the latest Focus on the Future podcast episode, industry veteran Suzanne Siracuse chats with Tom Orecchio, CEO of Modera Wealth Management, about the evolving dynamics and secrets to building a successful financial advisory firm. Tom brings in his wealth of experience, sharing stories from his inspiring journey into financial planning and revealing why he continues to foster long-term client relationships. They discuss the vital role that technology is playing in the advisor/client relationship, strategies for organic growth, and the magic behind nurturing client relationships beyond investments.

Key points:

  • The significance of personal connection in client relationships and the integration of digital advisory tools 
  • Modera’s tactical approach to client acquisition, incorporating traditional referrals, digital marketing, and centers of influence
  • The role of technology in enhancing estate planning and the essentials of client preparation
  • How Modera differentiates itself through fee-only fiduciary services and ownership plans for team members 
  • The industry’s future disruptions and how AI provides opportunities for more personal advisory roles 

Resources:

Connect With Suzanne Siracuse:

Connect With Tom Orecchio:

About Our Tom Orecchio:

With over 25 years of experience in wealth management, Tom has always believed that the best way to serve clients and provide objective advice is through the independent, fee-only approach. During that time, he has had the privilege of serving individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, foundations, trusts, and others in all areas of their investment and wealth management needs.

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