Estate Planning articles

2023 October Newsletter

2023 July Newsletter

When Fireworks Aren’t Fun

Taking proactive steps with your estate plan can diffuse tensions among beneficiaries.

2023 April Newsletter

2023 January Newsletter

The Pitfalls of Self-Made Estate Plans

Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sheds light on why you should engage the experts before drafting your own estate plans.

2022 April Newsletter

2022 January Newsletter

Decanting Statute Will Rewrite Oklahoma’s Trust Playbook

Much like how a game in 1912 forever changed the game of football, a new Oklahoma statute will change the way trustees can act on behalf of beneficiaries.

2021 OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

2021 JULY NEWSLETTER

Unraveling Biden’s Tax Plan

President Joe Biden’s revenue proposal could affect income, capital gains and estate tax rates. Find out what changes could be coming.

ViewPoint – A Letter From the Desk of Jim Arens – July 2021

TCO is proud to celebrate 40 years of helping to protect our clients’ assets, grow their wealth and advise them for life.

2021 APRIL NEWSLETTER

Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts

The Spousal Lifetime Access Trust may be the perfect tool to shift assets out of your taxable estate.

ViewPoint – A Letter From the Desk of Jim Arens

The pandemic may have changed many things but one aspect of our business has not.

2021 JANUARY NEWSLETTER

The Importance of Preventive Financial Care

Its better to be safe than sorry. Make your estate planning a priority in 2021.

Through Thick And Thin

2020 was without a doubt an interesting year. Despite all the challenges, the economy rebounded sharply. What does the future have in store for 2021?

Walden, Donuts and Estate Planning

Lessons on estate planning from Thoreau’s masterpiece.

A Leader’s Legacy – Saying Farewell to Tom Wilkins

Recently, Thomas W. Wilkins retired as CEO of Trust Company of Oklahoma after 30 years serving our clients. He will remain as Chairman of our Board of Directors and the values he has instilled in all of us are his strongest legacy.

It Takes a Team – The Recipe for Successful Estate Planning

Couples get better investment results when both spouses discuss their views with their financial professionals.

ViewPoint – A Letter From the Desk of Jim Arens

It is my pleasure to share with you some great news about our professional team.

2020 OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Hazards of Other People’s Money

Six tips to avoid mistakes and litigation when serving as individual trustee.

Estate Planning for Children Moving Out

The essential estate planning documents to ensure your new adult is legally and financially prepared for adulthood.

Whittney Stauffer Joins Friends of Finance Board of Directors

Whittney Stauffer

Trust Company of Oklahoma (TCO) is proud to announce that Vice President Whittney Stauffer has been elected to the Friends of Finance Board of Directors.

The slate of officers for 2020-2021 is comprised of President: Lane Wilson, Williams; Vice President: Mike Osborne, Ernst & Young; Treasurer: T. D. Eureste, ONEOK, Inc.; and Secretary: Mike Neal, Tulsa Regional Chamber.

Since 1985, the organization founded by the University of Tulsa’s Collins College of Business has brought leading business executives to TU’s campus to share their perspectives on business issues.

Friends of Finance fosters meaningful conversations about the economy and the financial industry. As past president of the Friends of Finance Board, I have personally supported the organization over the years. TCO is extremely proud of Whittney’s commitment to serve the organization as a board member. Her experience and skills will certainly enrich Friends of Finance’s mission” stated James F. Arens II, president and CEO of Trust Company of Oklahoma.

About Trust Company of Oklahoma

Founded in 1981, Trust Company of Oklahoma provides asset management and unbiased financial advice for individuals, families and organizations in Oklahoma and throughout the country. Trust Company of Oklahoma currently manages approximately $4.5 billion in client assets from their offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

Trust Company of Oklahoma Promotes Jim Arens to Chief Executive Officer, Michael Hopper to Chief Operating Officer

Tulsa World, July 26, 2020

James F. Arens II, CFA is Trust Company of Oklahoma’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Michael Hopper, CFP®, CTFA its Chief Operating Officer (COO). Thomas W. Wilkins is retiring as CEO after thirty years with the Tulsa-headquartered firm. Tom will continue to serve on the company’s Board of Directors.

James F. Arens, II

Jim Arens

Jim joined Trust Company of Oklahoma (TCO) in 1997. For 12 years, he served as the company’s Chief Investment Officer and became President in 2019. Jim is also a member of TCO’s Board of Directors. He earned a Bachelor’s in Finance and Accounting from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Jim holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, is past president of the CFA Society of Oklahoma and is active in the CFA Institute.

Jim serves on Tulsa’s Gilcrease Museum National Board, the Asbury United Methodist Church Administrative Council and as Chairman of the University of Tulsa Student Investment Fund Board. He also serves on the investment committees for Holland Hall and the University of Texas MBA Student Investment Fund. Additionally, he is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) in Tulsa.

Jim has demonstrated dedication to our clients and to the company for over two decades. His experience as Chief Investment Officer at TCO, along with his management skills, are two of the many reasons why our company is in great hands,” stated Thomas W. Wilkins. “I can’t wait to see TCO continue to grow under Jim’s leadership,” he added.

Michael Hopper

Michael Hopper

Michael has been with TCO since 2013. He is an Executive Vice President, a member of the Board of Directors, and Manager of the Agency Division. Michael serves individuals, families and businesses with trust management, retirement planning and financial advice. Prior to joining TCO, he accumulated nearly 10 years of insurance and investment experience.

Michael has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Oklahoma. He is the current President of the Tulsa Estate Planning Forum. Michael is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professional and holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation.

About Trust Company of Oklahoma

Trust Company of Oklahoma is the oldest and largest independent trust company in the state, with locations in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Founded in 1981, the firm provides asset management and unbiased financial advice for individuals, families, and other organizations in Oklahoma and throughout the country. TCO currently manages approximately $4.5 billion in client assets.

Protecting Your Loved Ones

Oklahoma families now have the right to install monitoring cameras in assisted living residents’ rooms. This could help avoid abuse and neglect, but also provide peace of mind during lockdowns. Read Lesa Creveling’s article on Tulsa World.

ViewPoint – Our Professional Team

Dealing with a worldwide pandemic, the TCO way. Read more.

Feeling More Secure After the SECURE Act

IRA and estate planning without the stretch provision.

Returning Stimulus Payments Made to Deceased Individuals

Have you received a stimulus payment made to your deceased spouse? Here is how to return it.

Adoption and Estate Planning

If you (or a family member) ever placed a child for adoption and don’t want him to be an heir, you should revisit your estate planning documents.

Subzero Oil Prices and the Storage Problem

U.S. crude sold at -$37.63 a barrel on Monday, a historic drop below zero. How did we get to this point in the oil and gas industry?

What Will Your “New Normal” Look Like?

How will the COVID-19 social distancing affect your life going forward? Read.

ViewPoint – Our Offices Are Open

Our offices are open and our professionals continue to serve you. Read more.

Outlast The Storm

You can’t control the stock markets nor stop COVID-19. Managing investments in the midst of the pandemic.

Tax Day Delayed To July 15

As COVID-19 grips the nation, the IRS delayed the deadline to file and pay federal income taxes. Read more.

Our Response To COVID-19

Our offices are open and our services continue uninterrupted. Read more.

Don’t Let Fear Paralyze You

In times of uncertainty with stock market and health concerns, it is easy to let fear paralyze us. Read Lesa Creveling’s article.

Why Have TCO Serve as Your Corporate Trustee

Although you may ask a relative or a friend to be your trustee, a corporate trustee can be a wiser choice. Learn more.

Guardianship Checklist

While confronting mortality can be difficult for any parent, it’s beneficial to leave your nominated guardian with a guide for raising your children in the event of your absence or incapacity. Learn more.

Planning for Addict Beneficiaries

While the topic of substance abuse in families can be difficult, it’s a growing epidemic that is important to take into account when estate planning.

Phone Scam Alert

Do not fall for the Suspended Social Security Number scam.

ViewPoint – Congratulate Our Professional Team

Let’s raise a glass to the new year! We have two new officers and several professionals have been promoted.

SECURE Act Significantly Impacts Your Retirement Planning

If you have an IRA heading into 2020, here’s what you need to know about the new tax law and how it may impact your retirement and estate planning.

Doing the Limbo

Our Chief Investment Officer looks back at 2019. Stock returns were very strong, but the bond market forced investors to play the limbo game.

New Year’s Resolution: Revisit Your Estate Plan

Now that the holidays are officially behind us, many of you are revisiting that final vestige of the season: the resolution list.

Be a Responsible Property Owner: Properly Store Your Documents

While record-keeping can be a tedious task, it’s essential to being a responsible property owner.

Graduating From the Kids’ Table

While dividing attendees into two tables works well for a packed house during the holidays, don’t apply this philosophy to estate planning.

Chill Before Serving to Avoid Family Litigation

Litigation can be destructive to families, both financially and emotionally. Learn how families can avoid the courts to settle their differences.

ViewPoint – Great News About Our Professional Team

Summer was busy at TCO with some great achievements by our professional team and two new officers joining our firm.

Bob McCormick Hits the Open Road

Our colleague is taking an early retirement at the end of the year. Although we don’t normally announce retirements in this publication, it is important to note a few of Bob’s lasting impacts on us, his colleagues.

Where There’s a Will…

What do Aretha Franklin, President Abraham Lincoln and Prince have in common? Find out.

Upside Down

Making Sense of the Recent Yield Curve

How to Talk To Your Heirs About Your Estate Plan Without Ruining Your Relationship With Them

There can be big benefits to your family knowing your estate plan. But how to communicate to your heirs who gets what without spoiling the relationships with each of them?

What Does Your Family Look Like?

Family structures have become more complex over the last few decades. Most households are now the result of blended families with working moms, adopted kids, second marriages, and the list goes on. Your estate plan needs to be customized for your specific situation.

IRA: Why, When & How Often?

Here we share some important guidance on when to withdraw funds from your IRA. While withdrawal may seem like an easy task, you may find yourself paying more in taxes than necessary.

The Fiduciary Rule: What It Means For You

We have served our clients with a fiduciary duty since our founding in 1981.

Alzheimer’s And Dementia Patients Are Easy Prey For Scammers

Avoid being a victim of financial exploitation.

Don’t Be A Silo

Individual trustees do not need to face all the challenges alone.

ViewPoint – Why Clients Do Business With Us

I have many reason to be proud of who we are and the services we offer

Honey, We Forgot The Car!

How to handle cars in estate planning

Asset Distribution Per Stirpes

Understanding your will and how your assets will be divided

How Health Problems Become Wealth Problems

Effective retirement planning involves being healthy. Learn how to protect your wealth and your health after you retire.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Are you, your family members and professional advisors rowing in the same direction when it comes to your estate plan?

Collecting Spousal Social Security Benefits

Social Security benefits are an important component to retirement planning. Here’s what you need to know about receiving Social Security on your spouse.

Staying on The Yellow Brick Road

Financial exploitation and elder abuse continue to rise. How can you protect yourself and your lifetime savings? Read Lesa’s article.

Beyond Our Borders: Why You Should Be Investing in International Markets

It is important to invest in international stocks. Here’s why.

DPOA: A Document With Super Powers

A Durable Power of Attorney is a super document. It allows a trusted representative to act in your place. Learn how a DPOA can help you.

ViewPoint – A Message from the Desk of Tom Wilkins

“Why should anyone hire Trust Company of Oklahoma to serve as corporate trustee and invest the assets if a family member can do it for free?” she asked me. Here’s what I responded.

Playing Hoops With the IRS

Are you a small business owner or investor? Please meet Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction.

Happy Birthday, Batman!

Batman, the first comic strip trust fund baby, turns 80 today. What lessons can we draw from the Dark Knight?

Ron Burke, CFP®, CTFA Joins Trust Company of Oklahoma

The oldest and largest independent trust company in the state is pleased to announce that Ron Burke joined the firm as a senior vice president in the Oklahoma City region.

2019 Taxes Cheat Sheet

Easily find out how much you owe the IRS on income taxes, long-term investment capital gains taxes, or trust taxes. A printable cheat sheet to keep on your desk.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients Are Easy Prey For Scammers

Each day, Alzheimer’s or dementia patients are at a high risk of being financially exploited. Learn how to spot it and how to prevent it.

“Drill, Baby, Drill”

The oil and gas market has been a rollercoaster. Oil barrels reached the $75 price range then dropped again. What does 2019 hold for the energy industry?

The Return of Volatility

It was a challenging year for investors. We wrapped up 2018 with a second 10% correction for the year. What’s driving investor anxiety and how does 2019 look like for the markets?

Cracking The Medicare Code

What You Need To Know Before Signing Up for Medical Coverage.

It’s Not Too Late To Build A Fence When The Cows Are Out

Estate planning and asset protection are really nothing more than building and maintaining fences. A successful plan keeps the cows (assets) in and the wolves (creditors) out.

Tariffs And Raisins – Children Pick Up On The Darndest Things

The Trump administration recently imposed steep tariffs on several countries, including China. In retaliation, China imposed tariffs on American products. This isn’t the first time the U.S. grapples with competitive tariffs, though. Learn more about our country’s history of tariff conflicts and the current conflict’s impact on our economy.

Market Observations by Bob McCormick – September 2018

Market Observations by Bob McCormick – September 2018

Legendary singer and songwriter, Aretha Franklin died in August. Without a will. As a result, her assets are to be divided equally between her four sons per statute set by the state of Michigan. It is estimated her estate, including business interests and artistic work, is worth upwards of $80 million, so a really large estate tax also appears due. Proper estate planning would have possibly saved her family millions.

Ms. Franklin was also characterized as intensely private. How ironic then that her death without an estate plan makes her finances very public for the whole world to see. Plus, if there is litigation due to the absence of planning, the settlement could drag on for years and cost a lot of money.

Dying intestate (without a will) may be fine for some people.* Yet, the need for an estate plan usually gets stronger as we age, marry, have children, become blended families and grow our wealth. I am not going to delve into the affliction PRD-itis** (Procrastination, Rationalization, Denial), but why is it so hard for some of us to do the important planning when it comes the time?

Here are a few of the more common reasons we have heard over the years that cause inaction:

  • My assets are held in joint tenancy with my spouse and in accounts with specified beneficiary designations. This may work out for some couples, at least for the spouse who dies first, and if both spouses are competent.
  • My spouse and I cannot agree on a plan. This is a big hurdle so it’s definitely time to get real-world guidance from an estate planning professional so that you can try to find common ground.
  • I am not sure who to leave my estate to. Remember, if you don’t decide, the state has already decided for you. Make sure you are fine with its formulas.
  • I am having difficulty how best to address the need to treat one or more children differently. It is a fact of life that not all kids are ready for wealth at the same time or same age. Professionals can help design estate plans to handle all sorts of family needs and dynamics.
  • I don’t want to incur big attorney fees. This may be a case of penny wise, pound foolish. You should be able to get the legal services you need at a fair price. Some estates need complex (read expensive) planning while many others do not.
  • “I can ignore it since I’m not going to die right away.” “It’s too depressing.” “I don’t like to think about it.” “I haven’t had time.” “I don’t care – I will be dead.” Ok, these are not valid reasons but cases of PRD-itis. Sometimes the person suffers from a severe case and just says “I’m not going to die.” This last one has a really poor track record.

The importance of wills and estate planning cannot be stressed enough.

I don’t know why Ms. Franklin didn’t have even a will, much less a trust to keep her estate transfer private. And she appears to have been a prime candidate for more comprehensive planning to reduce estate taxes and protect assets from illegitimate heirs and other “hanger-on’ers“. Maybe she struggled with some of the same issues many of us have. Yet, the right planning will not only put our own minds at ease but make our family’s life less stressful.***

*I am not an attorney so nothing I say should be confused with legal advice.

**I made this ailment up.

***Other parts of an estate plan often include a power of attorney and an advance health care directive. These are two big items that help your family handle matters when you are alive but are unable to act or decide on your own.

Robert A. McCormick, CFA, CAIA
Senior Executive Vice President & COO
(918) 744-0553
Bob.McCormick@TrustOk.com

Market Observations by Bob McCormick – August 2018

Market Observations by Bob McCormick – September 2018

It takes:
•    3 seconds for a cheetah to go from zero to sixty;
•    Less than 1 second for an Indy 500 car to travel the length of a football field;
•    Less than ½ second for a baseball to travel 60 feet, 6 inches from the pitcher’s mound to home plate at 100 mph.

I thought about the speed of things when I read that high heat and humidity in New Jersey last month was slowing down radio waves that were transmitting trade data between Nasdaq’s center in Carteret to the New York Stock Exchange’s facility in Mahwah. That’s about 27 miles as the crow flies. The 90-degree heat combined with 60 percent humidity caused the data to be delayed by about 8 microseconds.

A microsecond is one-millionth of a second. Sum up about 350,000 microseconds and you have the time it takes the average person to blink, so 8 of these is still pretty darn fast in my book.

What would the founders of the NYSE think of this as they signed the agreement under the shade of a buttonwood tree forming the exchange on May 17, 1792?

It is astounding this delay makes a difference for some investors. Not for us, mere mortals, but for computer-driven, high-frequency trading (HFT) firms the delay was noticeable – and newsworthy. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent in 2010 on building just one fiber optics line from Chicago to New York in order to increase one-way speeds by about 3 milliseconds (3,000ths of a second) – over 300 times faster than it takes to blink. Since then, at least two competing microwave networks have been built to increase speeds by even a few more milliseconds between these two cities. Big bucks spent for minuscule, but profitable, time improvements.

Consider these speeds the next time you are sitting around in your pajamas day-trading on your laptop, trying to take advantage of the tiny little blips in stock prices that occur throughout the day. It’s not just some big powerful machine you are competing with. It is the near speed of light trading you are racing against. May the force, and very fast fingers, be with you.

Cheers,
Bob

Robert A. McCormick, CFA, CAIA
Senior Executive Vice President & COO
(918) 744-0553
Bob.McCormick@TrustOk.com

The Certainty of Taxes in Retirement

Many retirees mistakenly believe that once they retire they won’t have to pay taxes anymore. Your retirement success depends on planning carefully your income and taxes. Read article.

Market Observations – July 2018

Corporate earnings are growing at a double-digit rate, yet halfway through the year the S&P 500 posted a meager 2.6% return. Read Bob’s investment market commentary.

Decrypting the Bitcoin Bubble

The cryptocurrency’s meteoric rise in 2017 had the investment community in awe. Today, the Bitcoin phenomenon has turned into a bloodbath. Investors’ confidence is gone. Read an interview with Senior Vice President Michael Abboud about Bitcoin’s rise and fall.

Tax Reform: How It Affects You

Congress recently passed the largest piece of tax reform legislation in more than three decades. The bill affects most taxpayers. One area is the ability to deduct charitable contributions. Vice President Emily Crain broke it down to what you need to know.

Market Observations – June 2018

A lot of factors impact economic growth, and demographics are certainly one of them. The government just released the 2017 births report, and the findings show a 30-year low in the number of births and a large increase in deaths for age group 25-34. Read Bob’s commentary.

Top 5 Retirement Planning Mistakes

Along with getting married and having kids, retiring is one of the most serious decisions you will make in life. If you plan carefully, your retirement years can be filled with joy and financial independence. But the alternative can lead you to serious financial problems. Here are our top 5 retirement planning mistakes to avoid in order to achieve a successful retirement.

Why You Might Want Both a Traditional 401(k) and a Roth

Planning for retirement involves balancing what you’re willing to set aside now with what you’ll pay in taxes while in retirement. Splitting your retirement savings between a traditional 401(k) and a Roth 401(k) — or IRA — is sound planning.

Is Estate Planning Now Dead?

‘Tis the Season for Elder Financial Abuse

It always seems to be the season for financial abuse and scamming of the elderly.

Overcoming The Emotion of Family Properties

Family legacy properties are extremely emotional assets. The feelings triggered by the thought of parting with the family farm, lake cabin or beach house can become the cause of tension among family members.

Retirement Income Planning: Escaping from the Daily Grind

Odds are you too have invested far more time than necessary researching some banal household purchase. But if you are nearing your retirement or are already in the midst of it, how much time have you have considered your income strategy in retirement? Was it more or less than the time spent on your last Amazon.com purchase?

The Dangers of Senior Isolation

Old age “ain’t for sissies.” There is some truth to that.